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Lane Farms Pumpkin Patch brings Fall fun to SB
ShelterBox USA to receive Peace Prize U.N. Association of Santa Barbara to present award on Monday By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
The United Nations Association of Santa Barbara will award its 2022 Peace Prize Monday to ShelterBox USA — a Santa Barbara-based nonprofit known for its disaster relief work in Ukraine and around the world. The U.N. Association will present the award to Kerri Murray, the ShelterBox USA president, during a ceremony set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Pascucci Santa Barbara, 509 State St. Tickets include appetizers and wine and beer and are available at unasb. org. ShelterBox has provided shelter, warmth and dignity following more than 300 disasters in more than 100 countries since 2000. The nonprofit responds to earthquakes, volcano eruptions, floods, hurricanes, cyclones, tsunamis and wars by delivering boxes of essential shelter, aid and other lifesaving supplies. Each green ShelterBox contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets,
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
A scarecrow welcomes visitors to the Lane Farms Pumpkin Patch in Goleta on Saturday.
By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Lane Farms pumpkin patch has been bringing family fun to Santa Barbara since 1974 when John Lane started the pumpkin patch. The farm has no entrance fee and features a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo and hayrides, making it a fun day for all ages. Families, parents pushing strollers, and attendees of all ages were seen enjoying themselves at Lane Farms on Saturday. “When you come to the pumpkin patch it is a farm setting and we have a corn maze and some really cool scarecrows,” John Lane told the News-Press. A child’s voice was heard in the corn maze on Saturday: “Finally found the exit, I’m finally free.” “Not gonna lie, this corn maze is far from a child’s play,” said Kenneth Song, News-Press photographer. The petting zoo includes goats, miniature donkeys and an Australian breed of pigs. “All activities are free, we just hope people purchase pumpkins and winter squash. Lane Farms is open until Oct. 31 at 5 p.m.,” said Mr. Lane. Lane Farms is owned and operated by John and Ruth Lane. According to the farm’s website, the family has been farming in the Santa Barbara and Goleta area since 1868. The family also maintains a produce stand at 308 S. Walnut Lane in Santa Barbara since 1939. Producing about 30 crops, the farm specializes in strawberries, sweet corn, lettuce, tomatoes and squash, all of which are sold at the stand. “Lane Farms practices sustainable and organic methods, although is not certified organic. They have a long-time, good reputation in the community and their customers know they can get good, clean, wholesome
produce from Lane Farms,” according to the website. “My great-great grandfather came by wagon train in 1863 and came across America. He started farming here in 1868 and farmed a bunch of different things including a lot of walnuts in the late 30 and early 40s,” said Mr. Lane. “A lot of the acreage became lemons. He farmed vegetables, especially tomatoes and lettuce. In the early ‘60s, a lot of the land was sold for housing. I started farming in 1971 and I ventured off into leasing a lot
of land. In 1974, I started the pumpkin patch and we have had one ever since. The pumpkin patch is what is left of the original ranch.” The pumpkin patch is open weekdays from noon-7 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m.-7p.m. The produce stand is open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and on Sundays from 10 a.m.5 p.m. For more information on the pumpkin patch, go to https:// www.lanefarmssb.com/pumpkinpatch/. Lane Farms also has a
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email: kzehnder@newspress.com
COURTESY SHELTERBOX
Kerri Murray, president of ShelterBox USA, will represent the Santa Barbara-based disaster relief nonprofit Monday when the United Nations Association of Santa Barbara presents its 2022 Peace Prize.
Mercado runs for Buellton City Council Editor’s note: This is part of a series on candidates in advance of the Nov. 8 general election. By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Shoppers wander in a seas of pumpkins at the Lane Farms Pumpkin Patch.
Art Mercado is running for the Buellton City Council, District 4 against David Silva. Mr. Mercado previously served on the council from 2014-2018 and has served on the planning commission for the past 16 years. He is currently the vice chair of the commission and has previously chaired the commission twice. “I grew up on a family farm where you start young doing chores and having responsibilities. I have a great work ethic and I always come prepared. I have the ability to use common sense and look at a problem from both sides and make a decision to go forward,” Mr. Mercado told the News-Press.
Art Mercado
COURTESY PHOTO
Throughout his career, he has managed several large farms, including Mandy’s Land Farms and Wichita Equine; he also worked as an assistant trainer for D. Wayne Lukas. Additionally, he served as the general manager for Creston Farms, owned by Alex Trebek, one of the largest equine export farms on the West Coast. He says his career has made him Please see MERCADO on A8
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Christmas Patch which will be open Nov. 25 through Dec. 20 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. “Lane Farms Christmas Patch is a great place to get your fresh Noble Fir, Nordman or Douglas Fir for Christmas, grown especially for you at a tree farm in Oregon,” according to the website. For more information on the Christmas Patch, visit https:// www.lanefarmssb.com/christmaspatch/.
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a water filtration system, emergency lighting and other tools for survival. ShelterBox was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 and 2019. ShelterBox’s current deployments include Ukraine and East Africa. ShelterBox quickly established three programs in Ukraine in response to the invasion by Russia. The first provided mattresses to collective centers such as churches, schools and sports arenas in western Ukraine where thousands fled. The second provided “ShelterKits” that includes tarps and tools for those sheltering in damaged homes in central Ukraine. The final program provided cash and hygiene items to refugees who fled the country through Moldova. ShelterBox is currently assessing its next program in Ukraine, which will likely focus on providing materials to help endure the coming cold winter. In eastern Africa, ShelterBox is responding to the drought by Please see SHELTERBOX on A7
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Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO: 5-8-12-14-16 Mega: 22
Saturday’s DAILY 4: 8-6-7-9
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 34-36-43-45-68 Mega: 22
Saturday’s FANTASY 5: 12-24-31-35-37
Saturday’s DAILY DERBY: 04-03-08 Time: 1:46.05
Saturday’s POWERBALL: 19-25-48-55-60 Meganumber: 18
Saturday’s DAILY 3: 9-8-7 / Midday 7-6-6