Farmers Jason McLawhorn (pictured) and Larry Land own McLawland Farms, off Reedy Creek Road. The farm offers flower and berry picking. Shannon Blair/UP

On 28 acres of land off Reedy Creek Road in Mecklenburg County are two modern-day farmers: Jason McLawhorn and Larry Land. When not operating their you-pick flower fields and berry rows at McLawland Farms, they are teachers — McLawhorn a nurse educator at Mercy Hospital and Land a German language and culture instructor for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. 

Land first introduced the vision of McLawland Farms to McLawhorn as a way to spend his summers in between school years. In 2017, the couple made it official with a property purchase and LLC registration; the pandemic afforded them time to cultivate the dream even further.

“This is the first year we’ve really had enough berries for the public to pick,” McLawhorn says. “We’re part of a group called the North Carolina Agritourism Networking Association. The benefit of belonging to such a group is you can learn from people, see what they’re doing. They’re really open to sharing growing practices, financial practices, how they began.” He cites the association as inspiration for expanding beyond berries into flower farming, too. “We planted a single row of Zinnias in 2019. That was the first year we opened to the public. Now we’re in our fourth season with what we like to call ‘a maze of flowers.’”

As they attempted other ventures on the farm — like raspberries and beds of okra, tomatoes, and squash — Land and McLawhorn soon discovered those needed to remain small-scale since farming naturally was too intensive for just the two of them (and delicate raspberries don’t lend themselves well to you-pick rigors). The farm is certified naturally grown, which means the crops are cultivated without chemicals and maintained in sustainable ways like hand-pulling weeds and fencing installation to deter deer. To retain CNG status, the farmers must pass annual inspections involving an application process and on-site peer review. McLawland Farms grows seven types of blackberries and a smaller patch of blueberry bushes. Even though the harvest window is drawing to a close, current visitors are still encouraged to pluck fruit directly from the vine and bush for sampling.

“We are organic practicing, so the only thing that has touched these is the rain,” McLawhorn says. Land adds, “I love watching people discover how their food is grown, that blueberries come from a bush.”

Thornless blackberries in the you-pick berry patch at McLawland Farms. Kristen Wile/UP

McLawhorn gives farm tours, while Land operates the flower field. Farmer Jason McLawhorn channels his inner educator while guiding guests along the walking path, a little more than a half-mile long. He explains everything from self-seeding flower regeneration to why bees really make honey (nope, not for us) to the nuances involved in a rainbow dozen. Their brilliantly-hued eggs come from a coop of vocal, diverse, free-range organic chickens and are available at $8 a dozen. Farmer Larry Land has attained eight different chicken breeds and knows most of the 30-plus flock members by name. Graybeard, Bigfoot, and Pierre tend to rule the roost and provide plenty of farm visit entertainment. As well as serving as “Chicken Dad,” Farmer Larry also oversees the flower cutting experience for visitors.

The array of flowers around the farm for cutting helps individuals tap into their own creative process of designing colorful bouquets in rustic mason jars. The farm clientele is as widely varied as the flower varieties, enriching the community farm experience even more. Land sets budding florists off in the right direction with clipping and arrangement tips, while consistently replenishing accent greenery for customers to enhance their creations. He is also careful to point out best practices for avoiding ants and playing nicely with any bees, since the farm operates naturally, without herbicides or pesticides. Pricing is based on jar size and sunflower quantities ranging from $16 to $24, with the opportunity to layer in more sunflower and dahlias at an additional cost. The dahlias hail from unique species, such as Tahitian Sunrise. McLawhorn and Land dig up the tubers themselves at the end of each summer to divide, store, and replant for the following season while also researching other interesting varieties to add.

When not tending to their crops, checking in on the coop, giving tours, or greeting you-pick guests, Farmers Larry and Jason can also be found attending to guests at their farmstay (an Airbnb wing off of the couple’s own 1970s home on the property) or facilitating small happenings like date nights, campfire fun, small corporate events, and yoga. Land and McLawhorn will host the farm’s first small wedding in October under the sycamore tree that lines the three-quarter acre spring-fed pond, with sunset as backdrop.

The couple themselves wed on property in 2020 and held a celebration in August of 2021 for their one-year anniversary when family and friends could safely come together again. “My brother was here and cooked a whole pig,” McLawhorn says. “We had a fun bar underneath all the lights with dancing and cake.” Future plans for the farm include refining the grounds as a welcoming space for even more unions. There are ample photo opps in the flower fields and private rainbow flower garden. The two would also like to build up beekeeping, the orchard, and more programming for families and children. There is even a plan to bring goats into the family fold with the possibility of goat yoga offerings.

The creatures, berries, and flowers are enchanting, but the real draw at McLawland Farms just may be the farmers running it. Upon departure, this request could be overheard multiple times: “Can we get a picture with you, Farmer Jason?”

Flower picking is fun for all ages. Kristen Wile/UP

Summer season will end July 31, but a few special events remain open for booking until then. Flower picking will remain available Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays until the growing season ends, typically in August. Fall flowers and farm events are in the works, to resume operation in October, and will be announced on social and the site.

Friday, July 22, 7 p.m.
Date Night & Besties Night
$48/couple

Saturday July 23, 8 a.m.
Flower Field Yoga
$25/person, includes pint jar for flowers

Sunday July 24, 9 a.m.
Farm Tour
Price varies, see booking site