By: Quise Varoz
Fall traditions such as pumpkins, hayrides and time spent on the farm are more than seasonal activities for families. For farms such as Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch and Vala’s Pumpkin Patch, the two biggest pumpkin patches in the city, the fall season is an important part of their business and requires months of preparation before families even step foot on their farms. Maria Bledsoe of Skinny Bones says her family has always valued the fall season and the connection it gives visitors to Nebraska agriculture.
“Fall season, we absolutely love. We’ve loved it even before we started the business, just raising our kids. Fall was one of our favorite seasons. But here, especially just seeing the thousands of people that come and visit us, just seeing the joy on their faces, just enjoy, you know, Nebraska agriculture at its finest, ” said Maria Bledsoe.
At Vala’s, Co-owner Kirsten Fong says the farm works year round to prepare for a season that lasts only through September and October.
“We are working all year to make Fall Festival come to life,” said Kristen Fong.
Vala’s has about 60 year round staff members and adds about 15 seasonal workers for the fall, with labor representing its biggest cost. The story looks behind the pumpkins and fall traditions to show the work, staffing and investment that help local farms keep those traditions going.
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