It’s been said that there are only two seasons in South Florida—when the Knaus Berry Farm bakery is open and when it’s closed.

Knaus Brothers move to Florida

In 1924, brothers Jess and Harley Knaus moved from Missouri to Miami. They came for the construction work, helping to build Miami’s first boom. When the hurricane of 1926 ended that, they returned to their farming roots and began raising vegetables on an 80-acre farm near what is today the Homestead Air Reserve Base.

The Brothers Build Houses.

By 1934, the farm was doing well enough that the brothers could build identical two-story houses a short distance from where it stood for 60+ years – 15980 SW 248th Street (across from Redlands Middle School). Jess’s sons Russell and Ray, founders of Knaus Berry Farm, spent their childhood there.

Back to Missouri.

In 1942 (with the Germans blowing up shipping off the Florida coast) the Knauses decided they were too close to the war front and moved back to Missouri.

Russell Knaus Returns to Florida.

Around 1954, Russell decided to return to the family farmlands in Florida. He began raising strawberries. Ray joined him in 1956. Together, they set up a small roadside stand to sell their strawberries. The bakery was a second thought. It was all about farming. Some of the strawberries were sold through a broker who commented to Barbara, Ray’s wife, after tasting some of her cookies, that they were good enough to sell. The idea of a bakery was born.

Fire at the Farm.

In March 1971, a fire gutted both the farmstand and the adjoining barn causing the season to be cut short.

The Business Grows.

The business grew over time based on word of mouth. There was no advertising. They opened the doors; people came in and liked the product and came back. Generations of Redlands Middle School students would run across the street to buy baked goods or shakes at Knaus Berry Farm.

When Hurricane Andrew came through Homestead in 1992 causing massive devastation, the farm fared ok. “It blew the awnings off and broke windows, but that was about all. We feel very fortunate,” said Ray Knaus to the Miami Herald.

The Farm Moves to Krome.

In 2025, the farm moved to its new location on Krome Avenue with additional parking, bathrooms and the business started taking credit cards for the first time.

The tradition continues today and we hope for generations to come.