Strawberry season could be sweet for farmers

North Carolina ranks fourth in the nation in strawberry production, and this year could be one of the sweetest for growers.

"This year, we've had the great growing conditions, and we have got tons of berries out there," said Arnella Hunt, with Hunt Farm in Wake County. "They're not red yet, but within two weeks, we will have them."

State strawberry specialist Barclay Poling says crops suffered last year with a cold snap in early spring, but warmer weather this year and minimal pests have made conditions ideal.

"We are really excited," he said. "In 20 years, I've never seen a better crop than this."

"We just really suffered last year, so hopefully, we'll all get paid back this year," Hunt said.

Some strawberry farms could open within a week or two, and consumers can keep track of the crops online.

"Really, you have to do that," Hunt said.

"How are the strawberries? Is today a good day to come out? It was just really getting that information out there that I could not do in any other way," she said.