The Rudd Farm is a fourth generation family farm, which was started by Kenneth’s grandfather in the early 1900’s as a tobacco farm located in Guilford County, just outside of Greensboro, NC.  Kenneth took up the plow in 1970.  From 1970 until 2000, tobacco and wheat were the main crops grown on the farm.  In 2000, the family decided to diversify, and planted the first strawberry crop in September of that year.  The first harvest of strawberries (1-1/3 acre) was in May 2001.

Since that year the customer base has grown, and to keep up with demand they have expanded each year, with 7 acres of strawberries this year. They stopped growing tobacco in 2004.  Kenneth’s wife Joan retired from International Textile Group after 34 years of service in 2006 and became a full time farm lady.  Their youngest son Matt graduated from NCSU in 2006, and joined the farming operation full time in 2007.  Along with Matt, their oldest son, Ken and his wife Ashley are bringing in the fourth generation.  Ken who is a full time landscaper, and his wife, Ashley, a pre-school teacher, help out on the farm as much as possible.  Ken and Ashley have two children, Madison age 4-1/2 and Ryan age 1.  Even the fifth generation, granddaughter Madison helps out on Saturdays.  Other family members also help out during the very busy strawberry season--Kenneth’s dad Pawpaw Phil helps get people to a good spot in the field, Kenneth’s sister Kathy works the stand, and Joan’s mother Ruby cooks for everyone.