Strawberry grower Peter Tacey decided to stop supplying the supermarkets almost three decades ago, due to low prices and uncertainty within the industry.

Then when Australian jam producers would not take his strawberries, the Kialla West grower, in northern Victoria, had to find innovative ways to stay afloat.

Mr Tacey sells his strawberries straight off the farm, and freezes the excess fruit to make jam, along with growing a range of other vegetables to make products.

And a new initiative where consumers 'adopt' strawberry plants from his farm was just one new project in the works.

"People can purchase a plant for $15, and then they can come and pick that fruit any time during the season," Mr Tacey said.

"When the strawberries come out in another four weeks, the kids will be able to come out and pick their own fruit.

"And they can come out during the season for the next eight months and check their plant — it's a bit like having a pet without having to look after it.

"I guess it teaches them more about our local farming industry, as well as gets them out there learning about how strawberries are grown and what's involved."

Peter Tacey has also diversified into other crops to help his farm stay afloat. ( ABC Goulburn Murray: Rhiannon Tuffield )

Mr Tacey ran school education programs for students, and he and his wife, Marg, also operated a catering business and strawberry-themed cafe.

The Shepparton producer said he believed if he had not made the decision to stop supplying the supermarkets, he would not have survived.

"Twenty-eight years ago the break-even point at the farm gate was $1 per punnet, now the national break-even point now is $1.97 — that's before anyone makes any money," Mr Tacey said.

"We're lucky that we've been able to come up with new ideas, and have kept a strong customer base that enjoys our strawberries.

"I'm feeling very sad for the growers right now; what is happening in the industry at the moment is a real shame, and I really hope many within the industry can recover."