Bumper crop of pumpkins draws families to local farm fests

White, yellow and striped pumpkins are making their grand debut this fall at farms in northeast Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula, but orange continues to be most popular color for carving, pumpkin farmers say.

At Berryland, a family-owned farm in Abrams in Oconto County, farmer Andy LeFebre said he planted about 30,000 pumpkin seeds this year, about two acres more than last year. While some didn’t take, others produced four or five to a vine, he said. Round ones, flat ones, tall ones, too, are ready to be enjoyed.

Berryland’s weekend haunted hayride takes customers on a mildly haunted trail to a pumpkin patch where they can select a pumpkin of their choice right off the vine, said Suzanne LeFebre, who married into the third-generation family farm. For those who prefer to cut to the chase, the farm also has pre-picked, washed pumpkins ready for purchase.

While strawberries are the farm’s predominant crop, the fall pumpkin harvest fest has become a destination for families, school groups, special needs groups, scouting troops and youth groups, she said.

“When we decided to take over the business, the pumpkin patch is what sold me. The first child that runs up after all your hard work just makes it worth it,” Suzanne said.

Agricultural tourism, or “agritourism” as it’s also called, is important to Wisconsin’s culture and heritage, said Secretary Randy Romanski of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Wisconsin farmers produce a $116.3 billion agriculture industry that has contributed about one in 10 jobs, he said. He said farmers deserve a thank you for “serving as the backbone of our communities and supplying the food, fiber and fuel that support our daily lives.”

Berryland’s pumpkin fest, open 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily at 5687 Steinkraus Ln. in Abrams also is an excuse to celebrate autumn weather.

A play area, hayrides and weekend face painting sessions are offered weekdays at $4 per person over age 2. A flat $12 weekend fee includes a hayride, activities and any size pumpkin.

Stacker pumpkins and gourds in various color combinations are favorites for fall decorating, while orange carving pumpkins are a top pick for Jack-o’-lanterns, the LeFebres said.

“It’s been a good fall for pumpkins. They like sandy, well-draining soil with heat, and occasional rain is great. They just don’t like wet feet,” he said. Andy.

“Eventually we go through all of the pumpkins, because come Nov. 1 people can come with a truck bed” and haul the remaining pumpkins away for a nominal price, Suzanne said. “Last year there wasn’t a whole ton left for people to do that.”