State ranks 7th in nation in pumpkin cultivation
MIDDLESEX TWP — Fall is as much about pumpkins as it is about costumes and changing leaves.
Pumpkin pastries, pumpkin butter, pumpkin jelly ... pumpkins can seemingly be infused into anything, according to Art King of Harvest Valley Farms.
“It just goes on and on and on,” he said.
King, who owns the farm with his brother, Larry, and his son, David, said people have fallen in love with pumpkins so much that even this year's nontraditional fall weather didn't deter them from finding their way to the patch.
“This year people were coming to pick their pumpkins in sandals and shorts,” he said.
With production totals around $14.6 million, Pennsylvania ranks seventh in the country's pumpkin production, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“I'm surprised it's that low,” he said.
King said he has met a lot of farmers, especially as a member and past president of the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association.
“If they grow one vegetable, it's pumpkins,” he said. “Just about everybody grows pumpkins.”
Norma McAfee, manager of the market for Harvest Valley Farms, said not everyone comes to the market for the pumpkin patch, but pumpkins are still the hottest item.
“Some people do, and some don't,” she said. “Most everybody comes for the pumpkins.”
McAfee said the process of picking, prepping and decorating pumpkins is an important tradition for some families.
“We have their customers that bring their children and now they're bringing their grandchildren,” McAfee said.
Some even use pumpkin traditions to connect with the greater community.
Peter Damico of AVI Foodsystems is the director of residential dining at Slippery Rock University.
Damico said his employees have been trying to incorporate some pumpkin into the meals they serve, things like pumpkin muffins and scones.
“We had a day the other day that was all pumpkin desserts,” he said.Damico said his employees also have plans to dress in costumes today, and they are in the midst of a small pumpkin decorating contest. He said 31 of his 48 full-time employees submitted pumpkins, and the finished products have been on display for students to see since Friday at Boozel Dining Hall.Damico said some submissions were just for fun while others were detailed and artistic.“I knew they had talent,” he said. “I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and detail of the pumpkins.”Damico said this is one of a few ways his employees participate in holiday festivities, which helps them connect with the students.“They can brag it up a little bit,” he said. “It really picks them up.”Art King said he doesn't see the pumpkin trend disappearing anytime soon. In fact, his family has been encouraging this trend through their fall festival.“We started that in 1984, and it has grown every single year,” he said. “This was the best year ever.”King said the fall season helps them promote their other crops and services.“It is huge, not just for pumpkin sales, but also for notoriety,” he said. “It's a very good tie-in.”He said pumpkins are and will continue to be a staple for Pennsylvania farmers.“The demand is always there,” King said.
