A Legacy Replanted: The Story of Moore’s Thornless Blackberries 2.0
On a quiet stretch of residential land at the edge of Nevada, Missouri, something special is growing - literally and figuratively.
What began as a backyard idea has transformed into Moore’s Thornless Blackberries 2.0, a 600-plant blackberry patch built on family legacy, resilience and a deep desire to reconnect community with the land. This summer, Dan and Angela Moore will open their patch to the public for the first time, marking not just a grand opening, but a full-circle moment years in the making.
For Angela, the journey didn’t begin with a business plan. It began with a lifestyle shift.
“We were looking for a way to create a more self-sufficient lifestyle, have more time with our family and spend more time outdoors,” she said. With land already available in their backyard and a natural love for gardening, blackberries felt like the right fit. But the decision wasn’t just personal - it was also deeply tied to the community.
At the time, local options for fresh, pick-your-own fruit had dwindled. The closing of a nearby blueberry patch, and more importantly, the loss of a beloved family-run blackberry patch, left a noticeable gap.
That original patch belonged to Angela’s father-in-law, Shirold.
While Angela didn’t spend as much time there as her husband did, what stayed with her wasn’t just the place itself.
“It was the feeling of being outside early, picking berries as the sun peeks over the tree line, before the summer heat takes over,” she said. “That quiet sort of peace isn’t easily matched anytime throughout the day.”
That sense of peace, and the memories tied to it, would later become a guiding force behind the new patch.
A Legacy Interrupted and Reimagined
More than a decade ago, the Moore family faced an unexpected turning point. Shirold suffered a sudden and debilitating stroke, forcing the closure of his blackberry patch.
“It was a wakeup call to make sure we are living every day to its fullest and prioritizing the things that are the most important in life,” Angela said.
The family did their best to keep the original patch running, but with its location across town and the growing demands of raising young children, it became unsustainable. Eventually, the patch closed; leaving behind not just a business, but a piece of the community.
Even years later, people still remembered.
“We’ve heard that people miss having the local fruit source and they miss being able to pick their own fruit,” Angela said. “There is something so special about a u-pick experience that people of all ages love.”
That lingering impact made one thing clear: the patch wasn’t just about berries. It was about connection.
Building Something New Together
For Dan and Angela, bringing the patch back wasn’t just about honoring the past; it was about building something for the future.
“We feel like it is ‘in our blood,’” Angela said. But more than that, the project became a way to create meaningful experiences for their three sons: Reichen, Kellen and Emmett.
They wanted their boys to grow up understanding hard work, community and the value of creating something with their own hands.
“We are intentional about offering experiences for our boys that will help them develop a strong work ethic,” she said, “as well as give back to their community.”
That mindset turned a backyard into a vision and eventually, into a full-scale planting effort.
600 Plants, 48 Hours and a Whole Lot of Help
In 2023, that vision became reality. The Moores planted 600 blackberry plants; an undertaking that required precision, planning and a whole lot of teamwork.
“Planting 600 blackberry plants in the backyard was a rollercoaster! And I don’t like rollercoasters!” Angela said.
The logistics alone were complex. Rows had to be carefully measured to allow room for equipment while still maximizing plant growth. When the young plants arrived, the timeline was tight: just 48 hours to get everything in the ground.
Friends, family and neighbors stepped in to help, working side-by-side to plant, cover and water each fragile vine.
And when Angela says “water,” she means it literally.
“Not with a hose. With buckets and watering cans,” she said. “Let that sink in.”
Those early days tested their endurance but what came next tested their resilience.
Starting Over Again
In February 2024, just one week after Angela left her full-time career of 15 years to focus on the farm, disaster struck.
A grass fire tore through the patch, burning an estimated 80–90% of the plants and destroying the irrigation system.
“It was devastating,” she said.
The damage meant starting over in many ways. The vines that had grown during the first year were too damaged to save and had to be cut back entirely. There would be no harvest in 2024, not even a single berry.
But the Moores didn’t walk away.
Instead, they leaned into the same persistence that had carried them this far: rebuilding, rewatering and recommitting to the vision.
Patience Pays Off
By the summer of 2025, their perseverance began to bear fruit, literally.
Although the plants were still too young to open to the public, the Moores harvested their first real crop, producing around 55 gallons of blackberries. Angela handled the entire picking process herself, selling berries to friends and family.
It was a small but significant milestone.
“That amount is nothing compared to what the patch will produce this year,” she said.
Now, three years after planting, and after setbacks that could have easily ended the project, the Moores are ready to welcome the community back.
Their grand opening is planned for mid-July 2026.
A Backyard Experience Like No Other
Visitors arriving at Moore’s Thornless Blackberries 2.0 may be surprised at first. The patch sits in a residential area, tucked behind the family’s home on nearly three acres of land.
“I expect most visitors to be confused at our location,” Angela said.
But once they arrive, they’ll quickly find themselves immersed in a one-of-a-kind experience. Guests will check in, grab picking buckets and head into the rows, guided toward the ripest sections of the patch.
They may even be greeted by a chicken or Gus, the blackberry dog.
The experience is intentionally simple, authentic and family-friendly.
And perhaps most notably, kids pick free.
“We’ve heard the community pains about not having kid-friendly (and affordable) activities,” Angela said. “So, we’ve decided that kids can eat as many berries as they’d like, right off the vines.”
It’s a small detail with a big impact; one that reflects the Moores’ larger mission.
Growing Differently on Purpose
While Moore’s Thornless Blackberries 2.0 honors the original patch in many ways, it also introduces thoughtful updates.
The Moores planted Chester thornless blackberries, a variety known for higher yields, disease resistance and longer shelf life. The berries are still large and sweet, with peak picking expected in July and into August.
Equally important is their commitment to growing practices.
The patch is completely pesticide- and herbicide-free, relying instead on natural ecosystems within the field. Praying mantises, honeybees and ladybugs all play a role in maintaining plant health.
For Angela, this approach isn’t just about farming, it’s about responsibility.
Blackberries have thin skin, making them more susceptible to absorbing chemicals. Keeping the fruit clean ensures both quality and safety for the families who come to pick.
More Than a Patch
At its heart, Moore’s Thornless Blackberries 2.0 is about more than agriculture, it’s about connection.
“I think people need to reconnect with the land where our food comes from,” Angela said.
That belief extends beyond the patch itself. The Moores hope their story inspires others to pursue their own ideas, whether that’s starting a garden, launching a small business or simply spending more time outdoors with family.
“I know we aren’t ‘young’ young anymore,” Angela said, “but if people would just trust God, take a risk and work on bringing their hobbies or dreams into reality, I just know that our incredible community would support them.”
Looking Ahead
As the Moores prepare for their grand opening, their goals remain focused on family and community.
“We hope our patch will become a place of connection, where people can find something in common and ‘more’ can grow,” Angela said.
There are already dreams of expansion: additional fruits and vegetables, workshops and even kids-only events. But for now, the focus is on this first season, this long-awaited beginning.
“I’m not sure what the future holds,” Angela said, “but I know this is just the beginning.”
