Bloom Where You're Planted Farm

We approach this last weekend of our pumpkin season with mixed emotions.  We are excited for Halloween and the Goblin's Egg Hunt on Saturday.  It should be a fun day!  And, after Sunday's "Stock Up Sale", we are looking forward to a little break and some much-needed rest after the whirlwind months of August, September and October. 

But, I get a little melancholy when I think about packing up the gift shop for another year, shutting down the cafe, putting away all the outdoor activities and clearing out the pumpkin barn.  It seems like this season has gone especially fast  -- I guess its true that the older you get, the faster time flies!  We have had so many wonderful folks visit, both new friends and loyal long-time supporters.  We will especially miss all their friendly faces.

But, enough gloominess -- we still have one more fun-filled weekend to plan for!  This will be our first season with Halloween falling on a Saturday.  At 10:15 a.m. sharp we'll start our second-annual Goblin's Egg Hunt.  Children ages 12 & under can bring their sacks, Easter baskets or Trick-or-Treat bags and hunt for the hundreds of colorful Goblin's Egg gourds we'll have hidden around the farm.  There will be separate hunts for ages 1-5 and 6-12.  Be there early so you don't miss any of the fun!  In addition, we'll be giving special Trick-or-Treat goodie bags all day to all children who come in costume!

Sunday is our "Stock Up Sale."  Fill one of our Radio Flyer wagons with all the pumpkins and squash it can hold for just $10.00!  Gourds will be half-price, and there will be great sales in the gift shop on food mixes, jams & jellies, salad dressing, popcorn, Christmas merchandise, clearance fall merchandise, and more!

We hope to see you this weekend at the farm!  Happy Haunting!

Ag Day

Saturday, October 17th was our second-annual Ag Day in cooperation with the Conestoga FFA (Future Farmers of America).  The weather was still a bit chilly, but we had a nice crowd come out to enjoy the activities, demonstrations and animals provided by the students.  We had a show heifer, alpacas, pygmy goats and baby pigs.  A couple of the girls did a tack and safety demonstration with our mare Abbie, and several students helped demonstrate our antique corn sheller for the kids.  They brought pedal tractors for our straw bale maze, and lots of informative handouts about pork, beef, corn and more!  We thank all the students and their advisor, Mr. Anderson, for helping to make it a great day!

Nature's Classroom

Sunday was a BEAUTIFUL day, and we had a great turnout.  One family stopped by that had visited last year and "adopted" two tree frogs that they'd found.  They cared for the frogs for an entire year, watching their life cycle and learning all about them.  On Sunday they brought them back to be released into their old habitat.  They even brought a helium balloon to release in honor of the occasion!

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The weatherman is predicting crisp, sunny fall weather for the upcoming weekend.  We still have lots of beautiful pumpkins, squash and gourds.  Our mums are still looking good and will be on sale for just $7.95.  Come and get them while supplies last. 

We hope to see you soon at the farm!

I just watched the forecast for the coming weekend, and it is SUCH a relief to hear that the rain and cold temperatures we've been having are FINALLY coming to an end!!! 

For those of you who aren't from this area, last Saturday and Sunday we set records for the lowest-ever high temperature, and the earliest snow fall of the season.  We all woke up on Saturday to snowflakes falling and between 1/2 to seven inches of snow on the ground, depending on your location.  Luckily we were on the half-inch side of things, but it was still a blustery, cold day.

It was our third-annual Doggy Day, and several of our canine friends and their owners did brave the weather to join us.  We had ten dogs visit, and the admission fee we charged the dogs will be donated to the Capital Humane Society of Lincoln.  Three volunteers from the organization bundled up and brought some adoptable dogs out to show off.  To learn more about the Capital Humane Society and ways you can help, click here.

All in all, it was a better day that we could have expected.  Chad Silber from channel 10/11 news even came out in the afternoon to do a story about Doggy Day!  Click here to watch it. 

Saturday, October 17th will be fun day at the farm!  Its Ag Day, and we are again working with the Conestoga High School Future Farmers of America (FFA).  In addition to our regular pumpkin patch activities, the students have planned lots of farm-themed contests and hands-on learning opportunities.  They'll also be bringing farm animals including goats, pigs, chickens, show cattle, and alpacas.  Add these to our four friendly horses and cows Molly and Fern, and we'll have a real barnyard full!

Come out to celebrate the return of nicer weather!  We hope to see you soon at the farm!

This past Sunday was our second-annual Scout Day.  All scouts wearing some part of their uniform received free admission to the farm.  It was a beautiful afternoon and the scouts all seemed to have a great time. 

This is Jasper, a Boy Scout from Hamburg, IA.  He chose an awesome pumpkin from the U-Pick patch!

My college roommate Carri and her family came for a visit on Sunday.  One of the best things about having this business is when friends or family stop by.  Some of them, like Carri and her family, live far enough away that we often only see them once a year at pumpkin patch time.  It was near the end of the day, so I put one of our employees in charge of my post at the admission counter and rode along on their hay ride...

This Saturday is Doggy Day.  Bring your canine friends to enjoy the sights and smells of the farm!  $4.00 doggy admission will be donated to the Capital Humane Society of Lincoln.  Volunteers will be on-site with a selection of dogs which can be adopted from the shelter.

Sunday is 4-H Day.  All 4-Hers who wear or show some type of ID will receive free admission.  It is forecast to be a pretty chilly day, so we'll have FREE coffee brewing in the gift shop to keep you warm!  We'll also be selling hot, spiced cider in the Schoolhouse Cafe all weekend, a perfect complement to a slice of pumpkin pie or our famous frosted sugar cookies!

Hope to see you soon at the farm!

We're heading into our third weekend of the Pumpkin Festival already!  This Sunday is Girl Scout/Boy Scout day.  Scouts wearing any part of their uniform will receive free admission to the farm. 

This afternoon we trecked out to the pumpkin fields and brought a fresh crop of orange pumpkins, squash, and gorgeous specialty pumpkins back to the barn.  The new varieties we tried this year are really cool!  The giant speckled swan gourds and colorful, warty gourds have been getting a lot of attention and selling really well. 

The trees are turning, and while many are still holding on to their leaves, there is a good layer on the ground to crunch through as you walk the grounds or stroll the nature trail.  Its a beautiful time to come for a visit, and we hope to see you soon at the farm!