6 minute read
Profit With Pumpkins
TEXAS FARMS TURN FALL FUN INTO PROFIT WITH PUMPKINS & AGRITOURISM
By Lydia duPerier
Fall in Texas doesn’t always bring cool weather, but it does bring opportunity. Across the state, small farms are transforming their properties into seasonal destinations. With pumpkin patches, hayrides, corn mazes, and homemade treats, these fall festivals aren’t just family fun—they’re serious business. For some landowners, this is an opportunity to use their farms in a new way that brings the community together.
Western Belle Farm, situated just outside Waco, is a notable example of this trend. Taylor Huffman and her husband started small, planting pumpkins and hosting school groups. Now, their farm welcomes thousands of guests each fall for a whole festival experience! Western Belle offers a variety of festive activities, including you-pick pumpkins, corn cannons, cute photo ops, and live music. Huffman says the goal is to create meaningful, memorable experiences that also highlight agriculture.
“For us, it’s really just working hard and having a good work ethic and teaching our kids that you really can do anything as long as you keep your mind into it,” Huffman said in an interview with KXXV. That educational focus permeates every aspect of their event. School field trips are a significant part of their business, and the fall festival has become a way to introduce urban and suburban families to life on a working farm.
Growing pumpkins in Central Texas isn’t easy. The heat and unpredictable rainfall can wreak havoc on crops. But the Huffmans work hard to do so and have also found ways to adapt. They’ve added attractions and activities that don’t depend on the success of a single harvest. Even in tough growing years, the farm still draws crowds who come for the experience as much as the produce.
Western Belle’s success has inspired other small farms across the state to explore fall agritourism. In Marble Falls, Sweet Berry Farm has built its fall reputation on a similar premise. Still, unlike many other attractions, Sweet Berry doesn’t charge for entry. Families only pay for the experiences they choose, making it an accessible and affordable outing for many.
Mainstay Farm Park, located just south of Fort Worth in Cleburne, Texas, offers a vibrant mix of traditional fall festivities and amusement park-style entertainment, making it a favorite destination for families during the autumn season. The sprawling farm features a lively pumpkin patch, a Ferris wheel, a Texas-sized jumping pillow, hayrides, mazes, and a giant slide—blending rustic charm with highenergy fun. Visitors can also enjoy live music, tasty seasonal treats, and plenty of photo opportunities amidst the festive fall decor. The farm is known for its well-organized events and scenic countryside setting, providing a full day of entertainment for all ages.
Meanwhile, in La Grange, Jersey Barnyard presents a more hands-on, educational experience rooted in authentic farm life. This family-run, working dairy farm invites visitors to explore its fall festival, which features a charming pumpkin patch, hayrides, and farmthemed games. One of the highlights is the chance for children to bottle-feed baby calves! Guests can also take guided tours of the dairy operation, learning about milking procedures and the daily life of a dairy farmer. With its warm, welcoming atmosphere and strong emphasis on agricultural education, Jersey Barnyard provides a meaningful and fun-filled fall outing for families!
These farms share more than just seasonal appeal. They each understand that the modern farm visitor is seeking a comprehensive experience. Parents want activities that will keep their kids engaged and entertained. Grandparents want to share a piece of rural Texas with the next generation. And everyone wants photos...lots of them!
But behind the sunflowers and cider, these events serve a deeper purpose. They provide alternative revenue streams for small farms that may otherwise struggle with narrow profit margins. Farmers can generate income during the post-harvest lull by incorporating agritourism into their business model. This helps farms mitigate risks associated with weather, market fluctuations, or crop failure.
These fall farms also offer a platform for education. Many of these farms partner with local schools to host field trips, teaching students about plant life cycles, soil health, and livestock care. In doing so, they foster early appreciation for agriculture—something that’s increasingly rare in a screen-saturated world.
Running a successful fall festival takes work. There’s planning, staffing, insurance, marketing, and plenty of logistics. Farms must create safe environments for their guests, comply with local regulations, and often invest in infrastructure such as parking areas and restrooms. But for those willing to put in the effort, the payoff can be substantial.
Some farmers start small, with a roadside pumpkin stand and weekend hayrides. Others go big from the start, transforming their land into full-scale seasonal parks. The key is to build something that reflects the character of the farm and the needs of the local community.
Part of what makes these festivals so successful is that visitors tend to return year after year, especially when there’s a personal connection. Whether it’s a family tradition, a favorite snack, or a beloved petting zoo animal, the emotional ties forged at these events can be just as valuable as the revenue they generate.
Fall festivals also help farms stand out in a crowded market. At a time when many small operations are competing with largescale producers and grocery chains, creating a memorable in-person experience gives them a unique edge. It turns customers into supporters, and supporters into advocates.
Social media also plays a significant role in this. One well-timed photo can bring in dozens of new visitors, so many farms now invest in photofriendly setups. Creative flower walls, whimsical pumpkin towers, and rustic signage are not just for aesthetic appeal, but also for marketing purposes now as well. Word of mouth still matters, but in today’s digital world, it often spreads via Instagram.
Of course, not every farm needs to go all in. Hosting a small, well-organized fall event can be just as impactful. The key is authenticity. Guests want to feel like they’re visiting a real farm, not a theme park. They appreciate thoughtful details, local products, and friendly faces.
As the season rolls in, many Texas farmers are already preparing. Pumpkins are being planted, hay bales stacked, and event calendars filled. For those considering the leap into fall agritourism, now is the time to plan.
Fall may not bring the same colors to Texas as it does in other parts of the country. Still, it brings something just as valuable: the chance to open your gates, share your story, and turn hard work into the joy of harvest season.
In a state where land is deeply tied to legacy, using it to create connections, and perhaps a little income, is a tradition worth cultivating.
