The Berry Patch announces bold pivot to coffee farming in the River Hills of the Pee Dee region

ELLERBE — In a move that has stunned agricultural experts, delighted caffeine enthusiasts, and deeply confused several blueberries, The Berry Patch of Ellerbe today announced it will officially transition from berries to a full-scale coffee farming operation in the rolling River Hills of the Pee Dee region.

Owners confirmed the new venture—dubbed “Pee Dee Perk”—will introduce locally grown, vine-ripened coffee beans cultivated in what they describe as “North Carolina’s most aggressively optimistic microclimate.”

“We looked around and thought, ‘Sure, this is traditionally berry country… but what if it wasn’t?’” said Amy Berry, while standing beside a row of plants that appeared to be “trying their best.”

The ambitious project aims to produce premium, small-batch coffee using a revolutionary growing technique that involves equal parts sunlight, determination, and “a willingness to ignore several well-established agricultural facts.”

According to early plans, The Berry Patch will:

• Replace strawberry rows with carefully planted coffee shrubs and at least one decorative palm tree “for morale”
• Install a “Tropical Simulation System” consisting of box fans, heat lamps, and a Bluetooth speaker playing rainforest sounds
• Offer pick-your-own coffee bean experiences, encouraging visitors to “just grab whatever looks ready”
• Introduce a signature drink, the Pee Dee Cold Brew, described as “notes of chocolate, hints of citrus, and a whisper of confusion”

Farm staff have already begun experimenting with harvesting methods. One employee was seen shaking a coffee plant while another held a basket underneath, while a third Googled “how coffee works” nearby.

Local residents have expressed a mix of curiosity and cautious support.

“I don’t know if coffee grows here,” said one Ellerbe native, “but I respect the confidence.”

In preparation for the launch, The Berry Patch has also announced plans to host the region’s first-ever Coffee Blossom Festival, featuring live music, tractor tours, and a keynote seminar titled ‘Manifesting Tropical Crops: A Beginner’s Guide.’

While some agricultural experts have raised questions, The Berry Patch remains optimistic.

“People said you couldn’t grow berries here once,” Lee Berry noted. “Actually, nobody said that — but we assume someone might have, eventually.”

The first harvest is expected sometime between late summer and “whenever the plants feel ready.”

In the meantime, visitors are encouraged to stop by, tour the fields, and sample early test batches, which staff describe as “surprisingly coffee-adjacent.”

For more information, visit berrypatchcoffeeprobably.com or stop by in person and ask for “whatever’s brewing.”

Media Contact:

The Berry Patch Agricultural Innovation Team

mailto:info@berrypatchcoffeeprobably.com

(555) 321-BEAN