Bartlett's Blueberry Farm

About the Farm

Established in 1985, Bartlett's Blueberry Farm began when Bill Bartlett noticed Tom Calkin painstakingly planting blueberry bushes on Bradford Road in Newport during the early 1970s. After watching the patient cultivation process for over a decade, Bill approached Tom about purchasing the farm. Despite initially receiving a firm 'no,' Tom eventually threw out a figure to Bill and his wife Heidi. Being self-employed and recognizing that blueberry farming would fit well with his work schedule, Bill saw an opportunity that aligned with their family's needs for a larger house and retirement planning.

The purchase brought them five acres of twelve-year-old blueberry bushes, along with Tom Calkin's encyclopedic knowledge and fanatical care system. The farm came with 5,000 mature blueberry bushes planted in precise rows 300 feet long and eight feet apart, with 60 plants per row. Under Tom's hands-on training in spring 1985, Bill and Heidi learned the detailed pruning style that remains critical to maintaining healthy and productive bushes. The spectacular location, with views toward Mount Sunapee, proved to be an unexpected bonus, and in 2001 the farm earned recognition as a Farm of Distinction by the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food.

In December 2023, the farm transitioned to its second generation when Pete Bartlett and Courtney Hazleton purchased the family business from Bill and Heidi. Now operating as a pick-your-own blueberry farm, they continue the family tradition while welcoming visitors to experience roughly 4,000 mature blueberry bushes across 12 different varieties. Located within view of Mount Sunapee and just miles from Lake Sunapee State Park, the farm has become a traditional stop for families enjoying outdoor activities in the Sunapee area, with many pickers returning not just for years but for generations.