A return to her roots.

Ever since she was a kid, there has been a tie that binds Becky Frey-Cooper to her family’s blueberry farm in Mahoning Township.

That’s because as a teenager, Frey-Cooper used to pick blueberries on the farm, which became one of her favorite pastimes.

Two decades later, Frey-Cooper and her husband, Chris, now operate the roughly 21-acre Frey-Cooper Farms at 2501 Mahoning Drive W.

Previously known as Frye Blueberries, the farm had been owned by Marlin and Betty Frey, for whom Becky is the great-great-niece.

The blueberries are ripe, and Marlin is in the process of teaching Becky and Chris how to operate the farm.

History of the farm

Marlin and Betty had the blueberry farm for about 25 years.

Marlin, 86, said he bought the farm from his cousin, Harry Kershner.

Retired after 35 years with U.S. Steel in Fairless Hills, Marlin explained why he decided to take on the farm.

“I bought it because when you retire, if you don’t do something, you become a couch potato,” he said. “It got me out of the house to do something.”

Marlin said he believes the time has come to give it up, and spoke to Becky and her father to see if there was any interest in keeping the farm going.

“I’m just glad it was able to stay in the family,” he said.

Becky said the farm remains an integral part of the family’s history for not only her, but also husband Chris and their 3-year-old son, her parents Randy and Lory Frey, and her grandmother Pauline Frey.

“We have all the land,” she said. “We just wanted to keep the farm going, have it as our own family venture.”

Keeping the farm in the family

For Becky, the chance to take over the family farm was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

“I used to work here when I was in middle school/high school, so I got a taste of what it was like to be at the blueberry farm,” Becky said. “I think the whole family enjoys being on the farm, and it’s great.”

Marlin gave his niece a ringing endorsement.

“She’s doing all right,” Marlin said.

Becky said the farm is open from 5-8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and that hours are posted on their Facebook page at Frey-Cooper Farms.

“We have a 3-year-old son, he loves coming up here running around the farm; it’s a great way to grow up,” she said. “Hopefully he’ll love it and one day want to take over the family business.”

A 2001 graduate of Lehighton Area High School, Becky said the roots run deep.

“My family has been here our entire lives,” she said. “We were all raised as family first; it’s nice to continue that.”