U-Pick Farms (Implicit time, Implicit Space)

U-Pick farms can be very attractive to tourists or many of us who want to have agri-entertainment and farm-experience. The popularity of specific farms, such as pumpkin patches or U-Pick orchards may vary in different location or during a certain period of time. Some of the characteristics of the U-Pick farms (such as fixed capacity, fixed time, premium locations and variable demand among others) make it an ideal setting to implement differential pricing. The owners of U-Pick farms sell their space and time implicitly. For example, visitors who want to pick their own apples do not buy a plot of land for a fixed period of time. Instead, visitors can spend as long as and pick as many fruits as they want because they buy the fruits (time and space are part of the whole experience). However, a revenue management can be applied if the owner could redefine the time and space. Owners can charge higher during peak time or make visitors pay premium to enter a certain plot of land that has better views or trees. Owners can also create bundles of U-Pick activities with food & drinks or picnic site for several hours in order to generate incremental revenue.

1. Great Country Farms
The farm located in Bluemont, VA, offers a various activities, including U-Pick farm. There is an admission charge to the farm for u-pick field access and a full day of family fun on the farm. A Spring Farm School Tours is also offered for group of students who want to learn about vascular & non-vascular plants, seeds, water cycles & solar energy in the greenhouse.



2. Mountain Orchards
The Apple farm is located in Ontario, Canada. For the Apple picking, they give you a choice of two bag sizes and have a flat rate for however much you want to fill them with.

3. Lookout Farms
This farm is located just a short drive from Boston, off Route 16 in South Natick, MA. There is a $8 admission fee per person and free charge for children under two. On the website, it describes a ground rules and rates of U-Pick:

When you’ve parked at the red U–Pick Barn, you’ll pay your admission fee — valid all day long — and select your U–Pick bags. There are two sizes to choose from, and we’ll let you know what’s ready for pickin’ at each stop.Once you’ve selected your bags, hop aboard one our five U–Pick trains for a trip through the orchards. There will be announcements at each stop about what’s pickin’. The trains are constantly circling through the orchards, so disembark to pick or play as often as you’d like. There’s sure to be another train just around the bend at any given time. Once you’ve picked and played to your heart’s content (for the day, at least!), catch the next train and head to the U–Pick Barn to weigh and pay. The price is determined by the weight of your bags. No matter what fruit is in your U–Pick bag, it’s just $2.50 per pound

4. Benton Farms
Benton Farms is located in Walton, Kentucky, a beautiful rolling 260 acre working farm. The farm operation includes u-pick pumpkins and school field trips. U-pick Sweet corn, green beans and U-Cut Christmas Trees are also available when in season. The farm has offers Birthday or Reunion or Company picnic out on the farm. Admission to farm is charged only in October at ''Pumpkin Days on the Farm.'' Admission include hayride, barnyard animals, corn maze and straw maze. Children under 3 years no charge for admission, adults/other $7.00 person. Parking free. Pumpkins are an extra cost$1.00 to $5.00 u-pick.