KEWAUNEE – After 38 years, a new generation of Krayniks has taken the helm at Kraynik’s Berry Farm.

Ken and Judy Kraynik, who started the pick-your-own strawberry business in 1979 and have run it since, this season passed the business on to their son, Todd Kraynik, who will operate it with his wife, Linda.

The business began in 1979 with 2.5 acres of strawberries — and the patch was picked out before noon and had to be closed for a few days for ripening.  It then went to four acres, at which time an evening picking was added to the morning picking, then expanded later to seven acres.

Todd Kraynik helped plant the first strawberries in 1978, at the age of 15, and has been with the operation ever since. A press release from Ken and Judy Kraynik said it has always been a family-run business, staffed by available children, grandchildren and seasonal workers each year. 

The press release also said Ken and Judy always looked forward to return customers, which sometimes spanned a few generations, and welcomed new ones during what they called "a very enjoyable and memorable 38 years."

They also noted the delight Ken took in telling the little ones how to pick strawberries — "We have rules here: one in the bucket and one in the mouth. What you put in the bucket, you can’t take out. If you want to eat them, don’t put them in the bucket!”

Ken and Judy further said they are very thankful for everyone’s patronage and friendship over the years

Kraynik's Berry Farm is at N3545 Church Road, Kewaunee. It is open for picking your own strawberries from 7 a.m. to noon and 4 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. For more information, call 920-388-4786 or go to the "Kraynik’s Berry Farm & Greenhouse" Facebook page.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Kraynik's Berry Farm now in hands of second generation