Meet The Farmers

Farms are different things to different people. To many they are the plots of land we see from the car as we drive down the highway. To others it might be the memories of Green Acres reruns on TV. Farms are a lot more than that. They produce the food we eat, the fiber for the clothes we wear and the wood with which we build our homes. Farms and farming are the cornerstones on which civilizations are built. They give us the beauty of flowers, green grass of Spring time, a communion with nature and wide scenic vistas. Dewberry Farm is our attempt to bring a taste of the farm of past, present, and future to the public of today. Since not everyone has a grandpa or favorite uncle to visit on the farm, we try to bring some of the experience to you. And you don’t even have to clean out the chicken house!

The founders of Dewberry Farm, Dan Bradshaw , Larry and Mary Emerson have been involved in agriculture all their lives as have countless generations of their ancestors.

Dan has consulted to farmers in the El Campo area of Texas for over 30 years working with farmers on rice, soybean, corn and turf grass production. Dan is the “gardener” at Dewberry Farm overseeing the landscaping and the pick-your-own flower patch. An agronomist by training and an avid home gardener, Dan is skilled at “growing things” and it is obvious to all when visiting the farm and particularly the flower patch. He is also known as “Dan, Dan the Animal Man” by many of the young visitors to the farm since he also oversees the Barnyard.

Larry is an entomologist by training (a bug doctor!) and consulted to rice farmers in the Katy area for many years before becoming involved in the agricultural research business. The 100 acres where Dewberry Farm is located, was originally part of the 2,000 acre L-N Bar rice farm. Larry purchased the land in 1996 and conducted agricultural research from 1997 to 2005 when he decided kids were a lot more fun than writing research papers. Today, he oversees the general operations at Dewberry Farm including production of the corn maze, pumpkin patch and construction of new attractions.

Mary, Larry’s wife, is the voice on the phone when you call the farm.  She is a strong source of Dewberry Farm information and the coordinator of all school field trips and private functions.  Mary is also the driving force behind the farm’s country store; she handles inventory purchasing and retail sales.  In her spare time, Mary is Dewberry Farm’s bookkeeper and is in charge of keeping Larry and Dan pointed in the right direction.

Ag research, like all of agriculture, has its ups and downs and it was during one of these down periods that Dan and Larry got together and hatched the Dewberry Farm idea. The original idea was just to do a corn maze. Well, one thing led to another, and before you knew it “agritainment” had found its way into the vocabulary of this dynamic Dewberry duo. Ideas were much more plentiful than capital, so additions to the farm had to proceed slowly, although each Fall season has seen the addition of new activities for the young and old. Dan is very fortunate to have his wife, Myrtle plus the help of Dan and Larry’s grown children when they can get away from their real jobs.

The Farmers at Dewberry Farm would like to thank the “real” farmers of the world who endure drought, pests, low prices, government programs and much more to bring food and fiber to every person on this earth. It’s been an honor for Dan and Larry to have known and worked with many of these wonderful people throughout their lives.

Dewberry Farm’s mission is for the public to share the farm experience and at the same time enjoy some good old fashioned down home country fun!! We welcome your comments about Dewberry Farm and any suggestions you have to make it better.