Steffen Orchards

08/31/2026

Dear Valued Orchard Customer,

We write to you humbly as we share some unforeseen and unexpected news. A few weeks ago, we were notified that a portion of our property was selected as a proposed route for a new 765-kV BECI transmission line that is being developed by Midcontinent Grid Solutions (MGS) as part of a larger regional plan developed and approved by the Midcontintent Independent System Operator (MISO).

While we have concerns about this project going anywhere across southern Wisconsin, we are devastated knowing the proposed route cuts directly through our orchards.

This isn’t just another parcel number on a map. This is part of our family heritage and your family traditions. This is part of something that we look forward to sharing with you, our customers, season after season.

Would you consider helping us out?

• Learn more and get involved:
www.no765line.org (http://www.no765line.org/)

• Most importantly, please show up - not just for us, but for everyone impacted by this across Southern Wisconsin. You can publicly comment your concerns on MGS’s website by September 7, 2026:

https://mgs-projects.com/BECI

Detailed directions to submit comments are linked here: https://no765line.org/take-action/comment-to-mgs/

• You can contact your local representative. You can say, "Hi, I am concerned about the 765-kV BECI line going through Southern Wisconsin and I would like to know your position on the matter."

Ten small messages like this will speak volumes to our representatives.

This is just the beginning - will you consider joining us in protecting something near and dear to all of us?

Sincerely,
The Steffens

08/03/2026

Thanks for joining us for our 2026 U-Pick season! We are grateful for this fruit loving community and the blessings that this season brought us. It's time for our plants to rest, grow, and get ready for the 2027 season.

Help us relive the season by sharing some of your photos or what you did with your berries this year! 📸

Watch for our Holiday Pop Up later this year!

- The Steffens

08/01/2026

🫐 Last Picking 🫐

You heard it right! We will be open again Sunday August 2nd for U-Pick Blueberries. There are still berries to be picked! Come on out and join us in the patch one last time for the season.

Barn Storefront & U-Pick Blueberries | Sun August 2 | 12pm-4pm

08/01/2026

🫐 SURPRISE! We will be open again! 🫐

What a loyal crowd of blueberry lovers we have - you really show up! Thanks for meeting us in the patch in the rain today.

Did you miss us today?

There are STILL quite a few berries out on the bushes and we don't want you to miss out. So....

SURPRISE! We will be open for ONE LAST (for real this time) picking for the 2026 U-Pick Blueberry season.

Come on out to grab a few more (buckets) of our little blue pockets of gold for the summer.

We will be open 12pm-4pm Sunday August 2nd

07/31/2026

🫐 U-Pick Blueberries Final Picking July 31 🫐

The berries don't wait for the weather. We will be open in our Barn Storefront and for U-Pick Blueberries rain or shine TODAY 5pm-8pm.

Though their size may trick you, our end of season berries are actually the sweetest of the season! We are expecting this to be our final picking of the season, so put on your raincoat and boots and meet us out in the patch. There's still plenty of berries ripe and ready to come home to your fridge or freezer.

07/27/2026

🫐 Final U-Pick Blueberries 🫐

Join us for our final day of U-Pick Blueberries!

A Sunset in the Patch | 5pm-8pm Fri July 31

07/26/2026

FINAL U-Pick Blueberries | Barn Storefront

Join us for a sunset in the patch...

5pm-8pm Friday July 31

The last of our blueberries are ripening up for you to come pick one last time until 2027! At this point in our season it may take longer to fill your bucket, but the berries are the SWEETEST of the season. A taste truly like no other - we love our end of season berries.

Our Barn Storefront will be open for the last time this summer, so stock up on any frozen fruit or goodies to last you the next several months.

07/21/2026

07/17/2026

🫐 Riverwest Blueberry Fest
📅 Saturday, July 18, 2026 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 808 E. Chambers St. | Riverwest, Milwaukee

We are putting the "Blueberry" in Blueberry Fest! Steffen Orchards U-Pick Blueberry patch will be open 7am-12pm Saturday July 18 but we will also be vending in Milwaukee at the 2nd annual Riverwest Blueberry Fest with some fresh hand-picked blueberries.

What You'll Find:

• 1.5 city blocks closed down for our free neighborhood event
• 65+ local vendors featuring art, design, vintage, handmade goods, plants, food & drinks (including beer, fresh blueberries & blueberry treats!)
• Live music from local artists
• Crafts, activities, and a giant blueberry photo opportunity (this is a family-friendly event!

The Polish Flat