When can I go to the Lenin State Farm to pick strawberries in 2021?

Every season, the Lenin State Farm, located in the Leningradsky District of the Moscow Region, invites everyone to the strawberry harvest. 2021 will be no exception. Various varieties of garden strawberries are grown on over 100 hectares of land. Harvesting them on time requires a large labor force. The conditions for harvesters are exceptionally favorable.

General information about the state farm

The Lenin State Farm is a modern agricultural complex, one of Russia's leading strawberry growers. It was first mentioned in documents dating back to 1918, where the enterprise was registered under the name "Oreshkovsky Khutor." It was renamed in 1928. The complex is annually ranked among the top 100 farms in the country.

Both then and now, the entire extensive activity of the Lenin State Farm is based on the following main objectives:

• growing strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, rowan berries, cherries, pears, apple trees;
• subsequent sale of high-quality harvest;
• processing of products into juices;
• production and sale of seedlings and saplings;
• improvement of varietal characteristics;
• development of modern breeding technologies.

You can purchase fruit and berry tree seedlings, strawberry transplants, and other plants at the Garden Center. Free consultations with local specialists are available.

In addition, a Contact Center operates on the state farm's premises, where themed excursions and master classes are held (Maslenitsa festivities, Easter fun, Peasant New Year, Christmastide, pottery, etc.).

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Variety assortment

All varieties cultivated at the agrocomplex are distinguished by large berries with excellent flavor. The fruits are juicy and sweet, maintaining their attractive appearance even during long transportation. The following varieties produce high yields every year:

1. Zenga ZenganaThis variety gained popularity for a reason: its berries ripen early, have amazing flavor, and are well-suited to temperate climates. They are highly resistant to pests and diseases.
2. Tsarskoye Selo. This high-yielding, winter-hardy, all-purpose mid-late variety has become widely popular in gardens. The berries are large, firm, and rarely damaged by pests. Tasting score: 5 stars.
3. Sudarushka. This mid-season variety is renowned for its large berries. The texture is firm, with no noticeable looseness even in the larger fruits. The strawberry flavor is sweet and sour. The flesh is juicy with a distinct strawberry aroma.
4. PolkaThe berry is conical in shape. The resulting fruit is uneven in size. When cut, the flesh is very juicy, pinkish in color, and free of cavities. The fruit is quite large, weighing 40-50 g. The flesh has a very unique, caramel-like flavor. The tasting score is 4.4 points.
5. Honey. This is an early, high-yielding variety with large fruits. The average fruit weight is 35-40 g. The flesh can be red or orange-red. The strawberry is medium firm. The fruits have a sweet taste with a slight tartness. They have a characteristic strawberry aroma.
6. Red Gonlet. It is characterized by high yield and winter hardiness, even in temperate climates. The berries are small, weighing 25-30 g. The flesh is firm, juicy, and very sweet without acidity. The fruits are especially sweet when fully ripe.
7. Mayskaya. Small, bright red, sweet strawberry. Fruiting continues until July, with numerous berries per bush. A good variety for jam and preserves.

The assortment is curated to ensure consumers enjoy strawberries throughout the summer season. Therefore, both early and late varieties are grown here.

Lenin State Farm: Strawberry Harvest in 2021

The company sells its renowned products like a conveyor belt. Fresh, select strawberries are immediately shipped to markets in Moscow and the Moscow region. Points of sale are adorned with a sign bearing the company's trade permit. Sellers have a certificate, a consignment note, and a Customs Union declaration of conformity. Even the boxes in which the berries are delivered confirm the origin of the products. They are all labeled.

When does the collection begin?

Due to the unstable weather in the Moscow region, it's impossible to predict how the berries will ripen, or whether additional harvest workers will be needed. However, the berry harvest at the Lenin State Farm traditionally begins on June 22.

On weekdays, 600 to 700 people arrive per day, and over 1,000 on weekends. Everyone arriving is met by a staff member who organizes the event. They conduct a brief briefing on gathering and safety rules. They then divide people into groups of 30-50. Each person is given an empty container and assigned a specific meeting point.

Conditions for participation in the training camp

The number of workers available for the Moscow region strawberry harvest is limited. Therefore, only those arriving on special buses provided by the company are allowed in. Buses with the company logo are waiting near the Domodedovskaya metro station and the Paninter store from 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM. These buses transport workers to the state farm and then back to the metro after completing their work.

No advance registration is required. Anyone can participate in strawberry picking, but there is an age limit. Children over 14 are allowed into the strawberry fields. Teenagers must be accompanied by a parent. Each person must prepare for the field work independently. Please bring water, food, and baskets for collecting your strawberries. Dress appropriately for the weather.

Payment

Regarding pay, all visitors don't work for money. They are paid in strawberries—10% of the harvested crop. State farm staff weigh each picker's berries and hand them their "earned" share, and the farm's strawberry fields cover almost 100 hectares. Experienced pickers, who have been to the Lenin State Farm for several years, take home around 10 kg of strawberries. Therefore, it's important to bring a larger basket to the event, otherwise there'll be no room for the berries you've earned.

Collection rules

There are no strict regulations for strawberry picking; each picker decides how they prefer to do it. You can make the job easier by following these guidelines:

1. Typically, two parallel beds are allocated per person. It's easiest to pick the fruit from each bed in turn, standing between them. The containers should be pushed forward.
2. If you select one row, you just need to stand over it and pick berries from each bush.
3. Squatting while picking strawberries is not recommended, as it will cause your legs to swell and tire faster. To prevent back pain from monotonous work, you should straighten your back more often.

Only bright red berries should be picked; white ones with brown tips are left on the bush. Garden strawberries must be picked carefully, being careful not to damage them with your fingernails. All picked strawberries must have flower stalks. Without them, they are discarded and not sold. Rotten or damaged fruits are collected in a separate container. At the end of the workday, they are handed over to the foreman.

Reviews from assemblers

Lily, 36 years old:

This year was my first time going to a picking camp. I managed to catch the second bus, and the journey was uneventful. Upon arrival, we were immediately divided into small groups, each assigned a team leader. We picked berries from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM. We were picked from the state farm at 4:00 PM. I picked 35 kg of strawberries, so my earnings were 3.5 kg. I think this kind of work is very useful for city dwellers who spend the night in offices. Once a year, it's a great way to add some variety to your weekends.

Ekaterina, 39 years old:

I know about the state farm from my mother; she comes here every year. This time she invited me, and I agreed. The weather was cool, which was very nice. On the plantations, they let you eat as many strawberries as you like. It would have been fine, but I'm a city dweller, not used to farm labor. So I got tired very quickly. By the end of my shift, I couldn't straighten my back. It hurt for a week afterward. I probably won't go again.

Galina Petrovna, 50 years old:

I visit the Lenin State Farm twice a season, picking an average of 5-6 kg of berries in six hours. The harvesting conditions are simple. Strawberry picking has become a good habit for me. Oddly enough, I get a break from the hustle and bustle of the city here and meet interesting people. The only downside to the whole event is the poor organization of transporting the pickers. So many people want to visit the farm, so most of them go home. I've even left empty-handed several times. It's very frustrating to wake up at 5 a.m. and then have to go home.

The Lenin State Farm will celebrate its 102nd anniversary next year. For many years, the enterprise has been growing delicious strawberries, and volunteer picking trips have long been a tradition for those who enjoy physical labor. Since the harvest dates for 2021 have not yet been determined, it's important to check the enterprise's official website regularly for updates.