MO pumpkin farmers adapt to drought and rising costs

By Blake Jackson

Missouri pumpkin growers are adapting to drought and rising costs by investing in irrigation systems, planting later in the season, and offering new fall-themed experiences.

Bruce Arnett, owner of Peach Tree Farm near Boonville, has seen his pumpkin yields improve despite the drought, thanks to an expensive irrigation system he installed a few years ago.

"This is the driest year I've ever seen in over 30 years, but it's also the best year I've had," Arnett said. "If you've got the water and you're willing to sacrifice the time, you can come up with a tremendous yield."

Tara Peters, who owns Pete's Pumpkin Patch in Rolla with her husband, said their farm has also felt the effects of drought and increasing prices. They've faced challenges to create the same experiences as past years, such as their corn maze, cafe offerings and fall-themed events.

Peters said the prices for multiple supplies have increased, such as the prices of the food they serve in their cafe. They also fill their corn pit with about 4.5 tons of corn, which normally costs between $800 and $900, though this year the cost climbed to $1,300, she said.

However, they did not raise prices this year and have kept their $10 admission fee, though she said many other nearby farms needed to raise prices.

"When we started our pumpkin patch, our kids were little, and we wanted to go get to experience things without being nickeled and dimed to death," she said. "We decided we were going to do one admission, so we just charge a one admission price and that gets you everything."

One of the only things that comes with an additional cost at Pete's Pumpkin Patch is the pumpkins, due to the variability of the crop's yield and prices each year.

John Okoniewski, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Specialty Crops Market News, said pumpkin prices this year have been largely steady, though they are a bit elevated from last year. However, he said people shopping for pumpkins from wholesale markets will not be deterred by prices.

"If they need the pumpkins, they're going to buy them," he said.

New challenges have pushed Peters to make changes on her farm, such as introducing menu items fit for warmer weather. This year, the farm is offering apple cider slushies as a way to provide a fall experience as warm temperatures persist.

"I think with the seasons changing and extending, when you open at the end of September, it's not fall-like weather. We've got 85, 90-degree days, so when you come out to a pumpkin patch the last thing you want is a hot cup of cider," she said.

Arnett has also made changes at Peach Tree Farm. In addition to his irrigation system, Arnett now plants his pumpkins about 20 days later than most wholesale farms, which has helped his yields.

The adjustments Arnett has made have supported his crops this year, even as other prices increased. Arnett also decided not to change an admission he charges for Peach Tree Farm, which covers activities like hayrides and a corn pit for kids.


Photo Credit: gettyImages-digitalvision