Although the weather reflects otherwise, fall is right around the corner and farmers across the state are gearing up to share agricultural experiences with Illinoisans.
Visiting a pumpkin patch is a staple fall activity for many, but the agritourism experience is relatively novel.
Pumpkins are native to North and Central America. Indigenous people cultivated early varieties for food and storage. Early American colonists used pumpkins for pies, stews and beer. Hundreds of years later, Irish immigrants shared the legend of Stingy Jack with America which evolved into the classic jack-o’-lantern of today.
Prior to the 1940s, pumpkins were primarily grown as a utility crop for livestock feed. In the years following World War II, the modern pumpkin patch debuted. Many young families moved to the new suburbs in the late 1940s and early 1950s, creating a large market for family friendly fall activities.
The concept of agritourism exploded during the 1980s farm crisis. Farmers across the country faced record-high interest rates, collapsing commodity prices and devastating debt. With traditional farming practices no longer covering expenses, farmers had to diversify in an effort to stay afloat, bringing what is now known as agritourism. Farmers invited the public for commercial farm tours and opened u-pick apple and pumpkin patches.
Illinois agritourism generates about $22.9 million in direct, on-farm income annually. Illinois is the largest pumpkin producer in the United States, producing about 485 million pounds of pumpkins, or about a third of pumpkins produced in the country, in 2024.
Morton, a town just outside Peoria, is home to a large Nestle Libby pumpkin processing plant. The plant cans 85% of the world’s pumpkin. In 1978, the town was dubbed the Pumpkin Capital of the World by former governor Jim Thompson. Residents of Illinois travel every year to visit the Morton Pumpkin Festival, which will celebrate its 59-year anniversary this fall.
The fall festivities extend throughout the state, including:
- Heap’s Giant Pumpkin Patch, located in Minooka
- Rader Family Farms, located in Normal
- The Great Pumpkin Patch, located in Arthur
- Eckert’s Country Store and Farms, located in Belleville
- Rendleman Orchards, located in Alto Pass
- Kuipers Family Farm, located in Maple Park
There are hundreds of pumpkin patches in Illinois offering fun fall activities such as u-pick pumpkins, corn mazes, rides, fall treats and petting zoos. Each farm offers a unique, immersive experience for all ages.
Fall enthusiasts can find a pumpkin patch nearby using the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Illinois Product Guide.
