The Story of Persimmon Hill Farm

Located in Lampe near Table Rock Lake, Persimmon Hill Farm is a u-pick blueberry farm that has been in business for 43 years. Featuring acres of blueberry plants for patrons to pick from—plus a lovely bakery with freshly baked goods, jams, jellies and more—Persimmon Hill is a family-friendly destination worth the trek.

Husband and wife duo Earnie and Martha Bohner started the farm in 1982. Martha had grown up in South Carolina with a backyard full of peach trees, fig trees and pecan trees. Her family treasured homegrown vegetables and fruits, and her passion for cooking stems from a love for fresh, nutritious foods. Earnie had grown up in Springfield with parents who treasured healthy and hearty meals, and his father owned a cattle farm in Rogersville where he kept cattle for fun. Both Martha and Earnie believe there is value in what comes from the ground and a great homemade meal.

Before the Bohners purchased their farmland, the land was planned to be a subdivision, but the couple reclaimed it for farming. “It took a year to clear out brush, remove rocks and plant cover crops to build up the soil,” Martha says. “The next year, we started planting our first two acres of blueberries. It was a lot of work, but it was amazing to see it gradually transform from an overgrown field to neat rows of blueberry plants. After three years, we had our first crop for picking.” 

After the land was originally cleared, persimmon and cedar trees started to grow—and this new growth felt symbolic to the couple. “It was our way of acknowledging that nature was taking back the land,” Martha says. 

The Bohners prioritized teaching their three kids about long-term planning processes like research, cost analysis, preparation, planting, gathering seeds and researching nutrients. A lot of thoughtful planning and organizing is required for running a farm, and the family is able to rely on one another for support. “I think working together, planning for something and pulling it off is a valuable skill,” Martha says. 

The Bohners also value being able to learn how food grows, where it comes from and why it is important. 

Through their passion for fresh-grown produce and homemade products, the Bohners demonstrate their love for great taste and their thoughtful cultivation of a wonderful family farm experience—and they say they treasure everyone who comes to visit them. “We have multiple generations that came here as kids,” Martha explains. 

The couple enjoys connecting with past visitors who continue to bring their children and grandchildren, and their favorite moments always come back to the people who connect with the farm-to-consumer experience. “There are folks that will come in, husband and wife, and they’ll pick for years,” Earnie says. “And all of a sudden one will come in, and they’ve lost their spouse. They’ll say, ‘I enjoyed this so much, my wife loved this, and I’d hate not to do this again.’” 

One gentleman made an impact on Earnie when he brought an old bucket that he used to pick berries with his grandmother, and wanted he to revive that experience.

Guests, employees, families and friends are the pieces that connect together to create the tapestry the Bohners cherish. Those searching to relive nostalgia and revive a love for fresh, nutritious food will find their place in Persimmon’s history of human connections. 

“We want people to have a great family farm experience,” Martha says. “We say, ‘It’s about great fruit, great tastes and a great family farm experience.’ We have multiple generations from across the country who visit during our late-May to July berry season, and we love being part of their family experiences.”