Dear Educators,

We would like to take this opportunity to invite you and your students to Becker Farms for an educational picking tour. If you have visited us in the past, we would like to thank you for your patronage. We really enjoy receiving letters and drawings from your students. We have worked with children from Western New York for over 23 years. It has been a wonderful experience to see children who are not familiar with farm life share in the harvest and daily activities of the farm. Becker Farms has been in existence since 1894 and we are the fifth generation to operate the farm. We feel it is important to share our heritage and way of life with the younger generations, who may not have the opportunity to experience farm life

Our goal at Becker Farms is to provide a positive educational experience for children of all ages. The Fruit and Vegetable School begins with an informative lecture in our barn on the history of the farm and the crop that is being harvested and how it is grown and picked. The children are given a hay ride through the farm to harvest the fruit or vegetables, depending on what is in season. Example: One qt. strawberries, One pt. raspberries, or two lbs. of apples. Containers for the produce will be provided. Once the harvesting is complete, the children will have the opportunity to feed our farm animals. Each child will receive an "Expert Picker" sticker and a coloring sheet. There are limited picnic facilities available for your group to enjoy their lunch. We also have a playground for the children to enjoy after their tour.

This tour is designed to meet the needs of children as young as preschool, up to adults. The lecture is geared to the age and needs of the children. We invite questions from the children and can modify the talk to fit in with what they are studying in school. Input from the teachers is welcome.

Becker Farms and Vizcarra Vineyards is wheel chair accessible and we have wagons that can also facilitate wheel chairs. To better accomodate your group, please notify us if you need the wheel chair accessible wagon when you book your tour.

Apple & Pumpkin School cost is only $6.00 per person for one crop and $7.50 per person for both apples and pumpkins. (Picking on your own is still available from 10am to 5pm.) One paid staff member is free for every six paying students. If anyone wishes to pick extra produce they may do so at the current U-Pick price. Any additional staff, parents and chaperones are $6 to pick one crop and $7.50 to pick two crops. There is a $60 minimum charge for the tour. A $60 deposit is requested to confirm your reservations.

Due to the popularity of the program and the desire for a picnic lunch, we have added more picnic tables and have indoor seating in our Cantina. At our "Farmhouse Market," we have fresh-picked produce as well as ice cream, home baked pies, home made fudge, jam, drinks and souvenirs. We have several items priced under $5.00 that the children may be interested in. A visit to the farm market is optional. Restroom facilities are available on premises. For your convenience Becker Farms now offers a box lunch. Pre-orders taken for your convenience.

We hope we can be of service to you. We have found that the opportunity to have children visit a real farm and participate in the harvest is a very rewarding and educational experience. If you are interested and would like to schedule a tour or would like more information, please feel free to call us at 716.772.2211 or 716.772.7815.