Pick a Pumpkin Pumpkin Patch Celebrates 40 Years

By Heather Skinner

ESPERANCE — Farmer Paul VanDerwerken and family are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their farm transforming into the Pick a Pumpkin Pumpkin Patch, where every Fall families and schools can start, and carry on, traditions of visiting.

It all began when they grew pumpkins for Grand Union and came across a year where they had a bumper crop. Unsure of what to do with the extra pumpkins, they put an ad in the paper inviting community members to pick their own pumpkins. People responded to the ad and the farm ended up making more money in those 3 days than they did selling wholesale. So, VanDerwerken said they stopped selling wholesale and focused on expanding for agritourism from then on.

The barn, once used as a regular barn for hay and animals, now only houses animals visiting from Amish friends during Pumpkin Patch season, and offers spots to sit and eat during visits. A few years after opening they added donuts, then a snack bar, and a cousin of VanDerwerken’s is the commercial artist to thank for all the photo opp cutouts and artwork around the farm.

It was 2-3 years ago now that VanDerwerken and his family decided to grow flowers. They tend zinnias, cosmos, and sunflowers. There is always work to be done on the farm; pumpkin and Indian corn planting begins mid May, weeds need cultivating, and flowers get planted at the beginning of June and July in a staggered pattern so they have flowers September through October. VanDerwerken also does beekeeping on the grounds and has about 7 hives currently.

VanDerwerken’s kids have all grown and moved out, but they come back with his grandkids from all over the Country to reconnect and help with farm duties on the 300-acre land during the busy season. VanDerwerken also credits having lots of friends that help, but at its core it’s a family-run business.

Beginning in September, they make their regular-looking farm into the decorated experience Pick a Pumpkin Pumpkin Patch goers know it to look like. They spend the bulk of their time managing the pumpkins, Indian corn, and gourds. VanDerwerken’s favorite part is the satisfaction of getting to see the grown orange pumpkins in the field at the end of the season where bare ground started. He also enjoys seeing the guests’ smiles and surprise at how many pumpkins are available.

VanDerwerken is so pleased to work together with his family and teach kids how to do things around the farm. There is no cable TV time or screen time for his grandkids when enjoying all the simple pleasures there are to play with and be proud of working hard to achieve on the farm, and they love getting to just run around outside. Though they don’t have the time to put into selling homemade pies at their Pumpkin Patch, VanDerwerken dubbed himself a piemaker and looks forward to making memories of pie baking with his kids and grandkids each year.

VanDerwerken admitted they took some time to decide if they would continue doing what they do after his parents passed, and it’s a lot of work for a small crew, but they enjoy what they do despite it being challenging, and are carrying on the tradition of offering people a farm experience they might not have had otherwise. They really enjoy seeing people come and enjoy themselves and VanDerwerken said he witnesses third generations of grandparents bringing their grandkids to the farm often.

Pick a Pumpkin Pumpkin Patch is located at 2716 Creek Road. Follow them on Facebook and check out their website (pickapumpkin.com) for updates on hours, admission, activities, and information on field trips. VanDerwerken expressed for returning customers, “We appreciate the support and the positive comments that they give us when they come. It's very satisfying for our family.”

For those coming for your first time, VanDerwerken suggests planning on setting aside at least a couple hours to get to experience all there is to do like sliding down the slide, joining in on a hay ride, visiting the animals, maneuvering the mazes, playing with toy trucks in the corn pit, riding the pedal carts, working water pumps for duck races, making giant bubbles, exploring the giant tire and tunnel hill, participating in scavenger hunts, checking out the antique tractors, playing corn hole and nine-hole frisbee golf games, and buying a souvenir in their gift shop on your way out.

VanDerwerken wants to make sure you know about/don’t forget about the 4-story treehouse. He called it a “must-go place” that’s fun to explore and that is kind of hidden on the property. He suggests starting there during every visit.

And new this year, they’ve added birdseed making!

They opened Labor Day weekend for flowers, then usually open each year on the last Saturday or next to last Saturday in September for pumpkin picking. They’re open until October 31st from 2PM-7PM Thursdays & Fridays, Saturdays 10AM-7PM, (closed Sundays-Wednesdays).

Farmer Paul VanDerwerken giving a field trip presentation on bees and bringing a hayride group to pick a pie pumpkin to bring home.

Pick a Pumpkin Pumpkin Patch owner, Paul VanDerwerken, suggests starting your visit at the 4-story treehouse that is a hidden gem on the property.

A day of back-to-back public school and homeschool group field trips on October 16th at the Pumpkin Patch.This was the Your Homeschool Village group being welcomed and told the itinerary. Kids each go home from field trips with a pie pumpkin, 2 oz. bottle of raw honey that was gathered on-site, 1 free bounce-back ticket to the farm, and get to enjoy a bee lesson, hayride, and farm activities! Check out their website for more information and to plan your next family and/or school group visit, pickapumpkin.com.