Minnesota Family asked local pumpkin patch and orchard owners to share their stories, their inspiration, and what keeps families coming back year after year. Here are their voices, in their own words.
Tradition & Inspiration
Minnesota Family: What inspires you to welcome families to your farms each fall?
Fran Barten, Barten Pumpkins (New Prague):
“God has created such beauty in nature. We want to share that in a family-friendly way. For our family, it brings us together. Grandchildren are involved learning how to help, listening to instructions, finishing a job, visiting with guests. It is hard work hoeing and picking pumpkins and we do it together and think work is fun.”
Jacque Hastings, Pinehaven Farm (Wyoming):
“Seeing the pure joy on children’s faces when they walk into the farm. There are so many fun and joyful memories made at the farm and that is why we do what we do. We have become a tradition for so many families in Minnesota.”
Cindy Femling, Afton Apple Orchard (Hastings):
“For us, running a pick-your-own apple orchard has never just been about growing fruit—it’s about creating a place where people feel welcome.”
Fall Atmosphere
Minnesota Family: How would you describe the feeling of your farm in the fall?
Fran Barten, Barten Pumpkins:
“Happy families everywhere—babies, teens, college kids, grandparents, ladies’ groups on a day out. Everyone is in a good mood. Few to none cell phone use.”
Brad Chmielewski, Stoney Brook Farms (Foley):
“Busy! We have so many things going on between our corn maze, pumpkin patch, and wholesale orders we have to fulfill. It is an exciting time of the season though and we wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Jacque Hastings, Pinehaven Farm:
“The atmosphere is very joyful and electric. Between all the happy and smiling faces of our seasonal staff and our fall guests and the bright colors of all the attractions and photo ops, it’s impossible not to feel joy when you are at the farm.”
Activities Families Love
Minnesota Family: What do families come back for, year after year?
Jacque Hastings, Pinehaven Farm:
“Families come back for the fall tradition and the memories they have created over the years and over generations. Many of our guests remember coming to Pinehaven Farm as a kid and now they are bringing their kids.”
Cindy Femling, Afton Apple Orchard:
“They enjoy keeping family traditions alive while picking fruit fresh from the farm and breaking away from the day-to-day grind to relax at the farm.”
Fran Barten, Barten Pumpkins:
“Families return to take the family photo in the same spot every year. Families love that there is something for all ages and it is imaginative play.”
Behind the Scenes
Minnesota Family: What does it take to prepare your farm for the fall season?
Brad Chmielewski, Stoney Brook Farms:
“A lot of preparation is made in our pumpkin fields. We clip the stems and put all our pumpkins in rows to enable us to pick faster. This can take almost two weeks to prepare our fields before the first harvest. We also put about 250 hours into setting up for the corn maze.”
Fran Barten, Barten Pumpkins:
“Keep the pumpkin area mowed and clean, new mulch, check all signage. Organizing many seed varieties, greasing and checking machinery, hand hoeing after machines are through.”
Jacque Hastings, Pinehaven Farm:
“Thousands of hours in planning, meetings, labor, phone calls, emails, fabrication of new attractions and new ideas. We work incredibly hard year round in preparation for 30–40 days of being open to the public.”
Tips for Visitors
Minnesota Family: What advice would you give families planning a visit?
Cindy Femling, Afton Apple Orchard:
“Wear outdoor clothes, comfortable shoes and layers! We are a working farm so we have gravel driveways which work great with strollers. We are open every day from 10am–6pm, so you can stop in our store for a shop or plan to stay for several hours picking and enjoying all our farm has to offer.”
Fran Barten, Barten Pumpkins:
“A well-worn path through the pumpkin patch accommodates walkers and wheelchairs. Dress for the weather. Walking shoes if you wish to take the mile hike into the field.”
Brad Chmielewski, Stoney Brook Farms:
“Definitely check the weather. Wear proper footwear for outdoor activities. No need to buy tickets in advance—we move our lines very fast. Strollers and wagons are a great idea for lots of walking!”
Hopes for the Future
Minnesota Family: What do you hope families take away from a visit to your farm?
Fran Barten, Barten Pumpkins:
“That they leave happy and have beautiful photos, and are refreshed after being surrounded with the beauty of creation out in the country.”
Brad Chmielewski, Stoney Brook Farms:
“I hope that they are able to put a face to their farmer’s name. When they see Stoney Brook Farms in the grocery store, they can say, ‘Hey, I have been to that farm!’”
Jacque Hastings, Pinehaven Farm:
“We hope families take away a new or continued tradition of making memories during a beautiful time of year where they had so much fun at the pumpkin patch that they can’t wait to visit again next season.”
Closing
The heart of Minnesota’s fall traditions is found in the people who make them possible. From sprawling orchards to family-run pumpkin patches, these farms open their gates each season not just to sell produce, but to share joy, beauty, and connection. Their voices remind us that when families gather in a field, pick apples from a tree, or laugh together on a hayride, they’re doing more than passing time—they’re carrying on traditions that will last for generations.
Read the full feature in Fall in Minnesota
and explore regional insights in Touring Minnesota in the Fall
.