Monday, September 28, 2009
CLEVELAND (AP) — The increasing popularity of fall decorating has brought Ohio’s pumpkin crop from relative obscurity to one of the state’s most valuable vegetable crops.
A below-average harvest last year still brought pumpkin growers nearly $23 million, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture reports. A bumper crop in 2007 brought in almost $34 million, triple the value from three years before.
Last year, American consumers were expected to spend $1.58 billion on fall and Halloween decorations — a nearly 90 percent jump from 2005, according to the National Retail Federation.
“Consumers got in this decorating mode and wanted pumpkins,” said Brad Bergefurd, a horticulture specialist with the Ohio State University Extension. “And when there’s demand, you need supply.”
So farmers began devoting more acreage to growing pumpkins. Land for growing pumpkins increased from about 1,100 in 1982 to 6,700 in 2008. Roughly seven of every eight pumpkins grown get carved into jack-o’-lanterns or put out on doorsteps for display.
During the 1980s, Patterson Fruit Farm in Geauga County put out about 50 pumpkins, said Bill Patterson.
Now, there’s 1,500-plus pumpkins of all shapes and sizes lined up for inspection. Patterson said that should last the weekend.
“Pumpkins,” Patterson said, “are a big part of our business now.”