Blueberry Treehouse Farm expands to include Airbnb on property
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WEST FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB ) -- From big or small to sweet or tart, The Blueberry Treehouse Farm in West Falls has 11 different types of organically grown blueberries, and some will be ready to be picked starting Friday, July 5.
Along with the farm's blueberry variety expanding, owners and couple Jyl and Ricardo Rivera are currently constructing an Airbnb on the property. They hope to build four more that are open year-round.
"We're trying to expand on the agritourism concept here where people are coming here for more than just picking organic blueberries, but we're giving them a space to be back into nature with the café, and then they have the opportunity to stay overnight in the Airbnb, come back down to the café in the morning for a cup of coffee or a pastry or something like that," Ricardo said. "To get back out into nature and just to unplug. I think nowadays, everyone's just hard set attached to their phones and they're really missing out on what's happening here in nature."
The couple hopes to finish the first Airbnb by the end of this year. There is already a waitlist to book it.
The Riveras took over the farm nine years ago. They now have 2,000 organic blueberry bushes that they prune by hand every year.
They had a hard time getting people to come and pick the berries, saying no one knew about the farm since it was tucked away in West Falls.
"Then he built the playground, the treehouse playground area, and the mom groups got ahold of that on Facebook, spread the news, and we got kind of busy, and we grew from that," Jyl said. "Now we don't have a problem having people come and pick the blueberries."
After the playground, the couple kept expanding, adding "Blueberry Jams" with live music on Thursday nights. Then, they built a one of a kind Treehouse Café that's tucked away in the trees.
"It's just something about being so close to the trees," Jyl said. "You can sit at some of the tables and it's a real tree growing up through that deck, and it just feels magical, and it's a whole 'nother feeling at night when the lights are all on."
Ricardo started his company, Buffalo Treehouse, 16 years ago. He said it's one of two treehouse building companies on the East Coast and how each one they build is unique.
"There isn't a single one that we've built that looks like another. They're all unique to the space, to the trees, to the client," Ricardo said. "We're trying to live within nature, in leu of plowing down some hundred acre lot to build a subdivision, we don't want to do that. Our dream is to have a development company that builds these treehouse neighborhoods we're living within nature, we're communicating with nature."
The prime time to go blueberry picking at the farm is early to mid-July due to the amount of people that now come to visit every summer, they said.
"Some people want just for snacking, some people want for baking pies, so there's a nice little variety," Jyl said. "The person who planted these did a great job in expanding this season, so they ripen throughout July and August."
If you're interested in visiting the Farm to hear some live music, play on the playground, have a drink on the Treehouse or pick blueberries, admission costs $7. With admission, you can get a free popsicle, a free non-alcoholic drink or a $5 voucher to use at the bar. Ages two and under and 65 or older are free. Blueberry picking is $3.50 a pound.
At their Treehouse Café, it's important to the Riveras to support local businesses. They sell food and beverages from Blue Eyed Baker, Ginger Snap Pâtisserie, Farmstead on Olden, 49 Coffee, Highland Springs Florals, Boston Hill Springs, 42 North, Big Ditch, Resurgence Brewing and more.
For more information on The Blueberry Treehouse Farm, visit their website here.