A large field of pumpkins to pick from at Cullipher Farm.
Kami Whisenhunt |Marlin Chronicle
Cullipher Farm, a pumpkin patch, sunflower field and pick your own fruit all in one. A gem for individuals or families looking to experience fun this fall season.
The farm is a community rooted business and, according to the website, a family entity that’s been passed down from generation to generation with over 200 years of farming experience in the North Carolina and Tidewater area.
Continuing on the legacy is current owner Mike Cullipher, along with his wife and son. He is passionate about the farm and believes it is special to the Hampton Roads area.
“At the risk of sounding braggish or boastful we’re the only ones in Hampton Roads, or the only ones east of Richmond that I know of that grow strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, apples, grapes and pumpkins all on the same farm,” Cullipher said. “All those crops are available for the public to pick at various times of the year.”
Wooden crate full of apples at Cullipher Farm’s market.
Kami Whisenhunt |Marlin Chronicle
Each season brings specialties to the farm. Springtime brings strawberries, summer brings blueberries and the farm’s fall specialties are apples, grapes and pumpkins according to Cullipher. On the farm, seasonal sweet treats are offered at their walk up window including slushies made from the season’s fresh fruit and various ice cream flavors.
A visitor to the farm, Austin Ashworth, enjoyed an ice cream cone while browsing their market of fresh produce, baked goods and more.
“The environment is very good. It’s busy and seems like everybody is having a good time. The workers inside the market were very helpful and answered any questions we had also,” Ashworth said.
The market is an area where people can browse and purchase goods. It ties into the community and focuses on the farm’s grown products. It incorporates items from local and regional providers like cooking and pantry necessities to go along with the fruits, vegetables and meat from the grass fed animals raised on the farm.
Sunflower at Cullipher Farm’s sunflower field.
Kami Whisenhunt |Marlin Chronicle
Cullipher said the corn maze is a popular attraction of the fall, featuring a new shape each year. This year it spells out the words “Hollow Tree Branch.” This theme relates to a part of the farm’s history. As mentioned by their website the name comes from a creek that used to run through an ancestor’s farm located in Knotts Island, NC.
According to the legend there was a pirate who hid his gold in a hollow tree along that creek, giving the creek its name. Thus the name “Hollow Tree Branch” became special to the farm. Not only has it been used as inspiration for the corn maze, but “Hollow Tree Branch” is also the name of a line of beef on the farm as a way to share their heritage.
Cullipher Farm offers a bright environment with a large sunflower field for good photo opportunities and flower picking. This compliments their pick-your-own-pumpkin patch and apple orchards well. People can also see a few animals while visiting, like cattle, lambs and a donkey. The farm also hosts food trucks and live music on occasion. To add to the fall festivities, the farm offers wagon rides around the property as a fun activity.
In order to cater to the family side of things there is a complimentary, one acre play area to entertain the kids. It’s enclosed by a white fence for safety, and contains tire swings, tube slides and a hay tunnel.
Cullipher Farm’s dedication to provide a lively and safe environment is clear and reflects the values of their family owned business.
Bailey Clark, an employee of the corn maze, got her job through a family connection.“I’ve worked here for about four months, my aunt worked here in the market, so she got me a job,” Clark said. Clark said the visitors of the farm are always nice.
According to Mike Cullipher, the many generations of their family being incorporated within the business are a challenge but also an opportunity.
“Having two and three generations involved makes it not bad, but just a challenge of trying to blend in younger points of view,” Cullipher said. “For example, our son is 25 and I’m 58, so he looks at things differently than I do and trying to mesh our ideas together is something we have to work through.”
Evidently they are succeeding because the farm was buzzing with people. They lean into their family history and are eager to share it through the farm. Cullipher Farm creates a blend of tradition, family values and fun for everyone to enjoy.
By Kami Whisenhunt
