About North Star Organics
North Star Organics is a 40-acre cherry orchard near Frankfort that the Kobernik family has run for decades. The orchard has been certified organic for about 20 years and is verified under Michigan's farm environmental assurance program. Alan tends the trees and soil and keeps the equipment running, and other family members, including a great-niece who helps at u-pick, pitch in.
U-pick is short and depends on the crop. In 2026 the organic sweet cherry window ran July 18 through July 21, daily 9 to 6, first come, first served, at $7.50 a pound, with free tasting and cherry pitters for sale. There were no tart cherries for u-pick that year. In past seasons the farm has offered gold and dark sweet cherries and Montmorency tarts, so check their website in early July for that year's dates.
Outside the picking window the farm sells dried organic tart cherries in pouches and bulk bags and frozen tart cherries by the tub, when stock allows, through its online shop. It has also given away cherry wood for smoking to visitors.
Cherry Hill Lavender Farm is about 10 minutes away, so a July morning of cherry picking here can end with a walk through its lavender gardens; check the farm's website for its open days.
What to do
- Pick organic sweet cherries during the short July u-pick window
- Taste before you pick; sampling is free
- Buy a cherry pitter to process your haul
- Order dried organic tart cherries online
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- U-pick sweet cherries for a few days in mid to late July (July 18–21 in 2026)
- Hours
- 2026 u-pick: daily 9–6, July 18–21
- Admission
- 2026: organic sweet cherries $7.50 per pound
Tips for your visit
- The u-pick window can close early when the crop is light, so watch their website and social pages
- Tart cherries are not offered for u-pick every year
- Picking is first come, first served
Pair it with a lavender farm
Cherry Hill Lavender Farm · about 10 minutes away
Cherry Hill Lavender Farm is about 10 minutes away, so a July cherry-picking morning here pairs with lavender there.
Getting there
Questions
When is u-pick?
For a few days in July; in 2026 it ran July 18–21.
Are the cherries organic?
Yes, the orchard has been certified organic for about 20 years.
How much do cherries cost?
$7.50 per pound for organic sweet cherries in 2026.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Frankfort & Benzie County, Michigan
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
