This is us: my husband, Chad, and me, Cheryl~and our three grown kids and their loved ones.

And this is our story…

In 2009, my husband Chad and I were blessed to purchase 6 acres of my grandparents' farm. This particular piece of land was originally obtained by my grandpa through a land-swap with the neighbor. We began by building our house, and for the first two seasons we were here, we operated a CSA farm. We then made the decision to switch over to raising all fall produce. While the work didn't get easier, I knew I had found my growing niche. I have always loved autumn and had a special place in my heart for unique and different things, whether they be pumpkins or anything else. Hence, it was kind of a perfect match. I began searching out more and more varieties to grow, and soon people were telling me how much they loved all the different kinds of produce we grew and that they looked forward to seeing what new things we had each year.

About 8 years ago, I realized that it was time to make some "life decisions." Our kids were getting older, and life was changing. Should I continue with the farm or go find a "regular" job? I prayed a lot as some other opportunities were right in front of me, and I wasn't sure what to do. I was patient, I was listening, and after a while, everything fell into place and became crystal clear. So we took a leap of faith and stuck with the farm, knowing that we had to grow A LOT to make this work. We dug in and applied all the principles we believe in. We all worked harder than ever. Over the next four years, we doubled in size each year and were finally able to purchase some equipment to help ease the amount of physical labor that was necessary on the farm.

We have set a very high standard for ourselves so that your experience at the farm is exceptional. Not only do we spend countless hours seeking out fun new varieties and creating new attractions each year, we also clean all our pre-picked produce and hand-weed the pick-your-own patch so you don't have to fight the weeds as you search for your perfect pumpkin. What an amazing and humbling experience to be voted Best of Mankato Family Fun 2024, 2025 and again in 2026!! Even more fulfilling, was also being voted Best Atmosphere in 2026. I promise these awards are not only appreciated, but they also encourage us to keep striving to ensure they are well-earned.

This year also marked the accomplishment of the largest goal we have ever set for ourselves. We were able to purchase the remaining 34 acres of our farm. We are so proud to be the third generation in my family to farm this beautiful property. I often wonder what my grandparents would think if they could see what we have created. I believe they would be filled with pride, and maybe also shake their heads at all the work we have created for ourselves.

Something else that sets us apart from other farms is our mission. When Chad and I were young with three kids, we couldn’t afford to go to farms like ours. It was important to us that all families have the opportunity to make lasting memories at our farm. As we have continued to add more and more to our farm experience, we have invested not only in capital improvements, entertainment, and staffing, but also experienced increased insurance premiums to do what we do. To help afford all these improvements and expansions, but also keep the farm accessible to everyone, we have implemented a “Choose Your Perfect Experience” program that allows our visitors to choose the experience that fits their desires and budget.

Sometimes it's hard to believe how many years have gone by already. Our oldest, Cody, married Haley last summer and they welcomed their first baby this July. Our daughter, Autumn, married Derek in May, and James and Maddy are planning their wedding for next June. I think the most amazing thing is that they and their significant others all still help us out around the farm as they are able.

While we've worked so hard to create a place where you can make beautiful memories with your family, I have to believe we've created some meaningful moments with our own family along the way too. As I have had the opportunity to meet SO many of you at the farm over the years, I don't believe you are just our customers. I feel like we have developed a relationship with you based on trust, integrity, quality, kindness, and a love for friends and family. If you are finding us for the first time, we look forward to meeting you and sharing our farm with you!