Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Family-Owned Farm for Fresh Produce & Seasonal Fun in Hobart
Since 1940, Johnson's Farm Produce has been a family-owned agricultural staple in Northwest Indiana, committed to delivering the freshest home-grown produce and plants. Founded by Ethel Johnson, our farm has grown from a modest roadside stand into one of the Midwest's largest family-operated enterprises, with three generations actively involved in daily operations. We specialize in cultivating nearly all products we sell, including seasonal fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants, ensuring peak ripeness and nutritional value.Our 2017 expansion introduced Johnson's Fun Farm, offering over 40 family-friendly activities during seasonal festivals that celebrate rural traditions. Backed by decades of horticultural expertise, we provide custom planting services, educational field trips, and a 15,000-square-foot greenhouse that supports year-round plant production. We prioritize direct customer engagement, maintaining the original family values of quality, service, and community connection that have defined our business since its inception.
Services
U-Pick Produce
Farm Market
Garden Center
Festivals
Fun Farm
Field Trips
Birthday Rentals
Custom Planting
Educational Tours
Season Passes
Details
- Year established: 1940
Highlights and features
- We grow nearly all our own produce and plants on-site for guaranteed freshness.
- Our family has farmed in Northwest Indiana since 1940, maintaining traditional practices.
- We offer 40+ family-friendly activities during seasonal festivals.
- Three generations of Johnsons work daily on the farm operations.
- Produce is picked at peak ripeness for maximum nutritional value.
What people say
Great prices
Delicious strawberries
Friendly staff
Family fun
Perfect fall day
Services
U-Pick Produce
Our U-Pick fields allow customers to harvest seasonal produce at peak ripeness. Available for strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, pumpkins, and vegetables, this service connects families with agricultural roots while ensuring freshness. Activities run seasonally with designated festival and weekday hours.
Fun Farm Activities
Seasonal festivals feature over 40 interactive attractions including corn mazes, petting zoos, and play areas. Designed for family engagement, these activities operate during special events with varying admission options that include train rides and produce cannons.
Garden Center
Our greenhouse produces 95% of available plants, including annuals, perennials, and specialty containers. Customers access premium horticultural products May-September alongside custom planting services using locally grown stock and professional design expertise.
Field Trips
K-12 groups explore agricultural science through guided farm tours, scavenger hunts, and hands-on picking experiences. Programs align with Indiana state science standards while offering practical learning about food origins and sustainable farming practices.
Season Pass Programs
Seasonal memberships provide unlimited access to U-Pick fields and festival activities. Options include general admission or all-access passes covering special attractions, valid throughout the operating season for multiple visits.
People
Rodney Johnson Sr.
Owner
Fourth-generation farmer leading daily operations, maintaining quality standards established by his parents in 1940 while overseeing agricultural production and business strategy.
Jennifer Johnson
General Manager
Handles financial operations and store management, combining agricultural expertise with business administration to maintain family traditions of superior customer service.
Rodney Johnson Jr.
Head Farmer
Manages crop production and festival development, ensuring produce quality while expanding recreational offerings that connect urban visitors with rural heritage.
Lyndsay Johnson
Store Manager
Oversees market operations and customer interactions, representing the fifth generation maintaining family commitment to freshness and community engagement through agricultural education.
Steve Johnson
Location Manager
Supervises Valparaiso operations, applying decades of family farming experience to maintain consistent quality standards across multiple locations while developing new customer relationships.
Questions
When does your U-Pick season operate?
Our fields open seasonally for specific crops, with strawberries available in spring and pumpkins in fall. Festival weekends typically feature expanded availability.
Do festivals require separate admission?
Yes, festival entry costs $15 general admission or $25 for all activities, with season pass options available for frequent visitors.
Are pets allowed on the farm?
No, for safety and health reasons, we maintain a strict no-pets policy across all property areas.
Can I bring my own containers for custom planting?
Yes, we offer design services for personal containers with 1-2 weeks' notice for spring planting projects.
Do you host school field trips year-round?
Educational programs are specifically designed for fall seasons with minimum group requirements for structured learning experiences.
Is produce washing included in U-Pick pricing?
All harvested items undergo weigh station processing included in standard rates, with cleaning fees for reused containers applying separately.
Videos
Reviews (4)
Angeline
Nov 03, 2021
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Johnson's Farm's festival weekend has several themes such as, Strawberry Weekend, Sunflower Weekend, and Pumpkin Weekend. It refers to what crop is available to purchase. They charge $9 entrance fee for the Fun Farm. So it costs us $45 just to enter. I plan our visit on a day when we can spend at least 2.5 hours there to get our money's worth, and give the kids plenty of time to enjoy all the fun activities. The peddle tractors are our favorite, and the entire family can participate. Of course, as seen in the pictures, the jumping pad is just as fun for adults as it is for kids.
Amber Vaughn
Oct 08, 2021
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Last year(2020) we found you when we were looking to go strawberry picking and now it is a new tradition we carried on this year and for years to come. Your staff is super friendly and helpful and the farm is beautiful and well kept! My kids love seeing the gators in the pond now on our way out. It is a bit of a drive for us but so worth it!!
Sayani Chatterjee
Oct 06, 2021
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Last time we went strawberry time !!! That was also excellent but now we went for sunflower & vegetable picking that is even more exciting, watermelon is absolutely delicious sweet & sweet corn too highly recommended
Marilyn Torres
Sep 23, 2021
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We loved the sunflowers! It was a peaceful, breezy beautiful day to be surrounded by such sunshine filled flowers! And I loved the goats too!
