Pumpkins, memories and kitties – Years of smiles and experiences follow 26 years of Farmer Johns
Published 10:27 am Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Farmer John and wife Jan stand at their pumpkin patch Tuesday evening. Jan holds one of the many friendly cats they have ambling around the farm. Photos Jenae Hackensmith/jenae.hackensmith@austindailyherald.com
For 26 years, Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch has been putting smiles on faces and giving people a taste of farm life.
“You almost need to feel it,” Farmer John Ulland said. “We’re not like a pumpkin patch that you see anyplace else.”
Farmer John and his wife, Jan, started Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch, located at 90537 273rd St. northwest of Austin, unintentionally in the 1980s after a friend wanted to bring his grandchildren to see the pumpkins that Farmer John planted to control weeds. The Ullands started selling pumpkins to area stores, mostly to get rid of them. Through word of mouth, others started to get interested in seeing the farm.
Twenty-six years later, the pumpkin patch is going strong, and the Ullands have added to the experience.
“We’re here to offer a good experience,” Farmer John said. “We’re just here so that people can enjoy.”
“Memories,” Jan added.
Farmer John washes a recently-picked pumpkin Tuesday evening to get ready for more families to visit for the fall season.
The farm features wagon rides, antique farm equipment, animals — dogs, cats and chickens — broom corn, gourds, and about eight acres of pumpkins. The pumpkin patch is family-friendly and has options for children’s entertainment, although Farmer John said the children are drawn to one specific area the most.
“The kids like the silo; that’s where they play the most,” Farmer John said.
There are also games and learning opportunities inside the barn, and groups can make reservations to tour the pumpkin patch. Groups of children from area preschools and schools also show up to learn about the pumpkin patch.
“We entertain little ones and older ones,” Farmer John said. “They start coming soon.”
This year, the patch features 37 different kinds of pumpkins, and Farmer John said there are many options for people to decorate their yards. There are also opportunities for people to pick their own apples, pumpkins and raspberries. There won’t be horse-drawn wagon rides this year. Instead, Farmer John said they plan to pull the wagon with the tractor. There will also be scarecrow painting on Oct. 4, with Nel Zellar.
“We’ve got everything,” Farmer John said.
This year, Farmer John and Jan added to the photo opportunities.
“We always have places for families to take pictures, and we’ve got some new settings,” Farmer John said.
They have an old pickup-truck, an old tractor that’s been repainted and an old snowmobile sitting outside. But these aren’t the only things that draw families.
An old pick-up truck sits at Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch. This was set up for one of the many photo ops offered at the farm. Jenae Hackensmith/jenae.hackensmith@austindailyherald.com
Families get a free pumpkin for every baby born after Oct. 15 of the current year.
“Young families, that’s an exciting thing for them, especially that first baby,” Farmer John said. “It’s a nice experience for the families.”
Farmer John said not only do newcomers show up, they also get visitors who have been there.
“We have a lot of return business,” Farmer John said. “It’s a relaxed place to be. Our first customers are bringing their kids and grandkids. It’s a long tradition out here.”
The farm is open from noon to 6 p.m. every day through Halloween.
Directions
To Farmer John’s, 90537 273rd St. Austin, MN 55912. NOTE: Some online GPS services often lead to the wrong location. From Highway 218, turn west onto 270th Street at The Corners, continue onto the Mower-Freeborn Road, turn west onto 273rd Street and continue a half mile. From Highway 251, turn south at Corning onto the Mower-Freeborn Road, go 3/4 of a mile, turn west onto 273rd Street and continue a half mile.
