What Do I Do With My Pumpkin After Halloween?
By Katie Cink
One of the best parts of the fall season is spending your weekends partaking in the fall festivities. There is something magical in the air whether you are sipping on warm apple cider or visiting a local pumpkin patch with your family. If you have ever had the pleasure of going to a pumpkin patch with young children, you know finding the perfect pumpkin takes time, dedication and a careful eye.
Not only do kids take finding the right pumpkin very seriously but carving it is also a careful act that takes dedication and an attentive eye. The process of picking and carving a pumpkin is not only a skill but an art.
But what about when the season’s over? What are you supposed to do with the pumpkin that you just put so much time and effort into?
Check out our easy tips and tricks to sustainably dispose of your pumpkins!
Composting
One sustainable way to dispose of your pumpkin is by composting. Composting is the action of collecting food scraps to reduce food waste. Compost items such as watermelon rinds, eggshells and even pumpkins can be put into a container. Break the pumpkin up before putting it into a compost bin. Once the container is full the contents can be utilized in a garden as fertilizer. Don’t have a compost bin? Try burying them in the yard. Burying pumpkins in the ground can improve soil health by providing nutrients.
Donate to a Local Farm
Talk to a local farmer about donating pumpkins to a farm. Some farmers will take old pumpkins to feed their animals. This can serve as enrichment or a toy for farm animals. Goats and pigs especially love a special treat!
Utilize the Pumpkin’s Seeds
When you first purchase a pumpkin before carving it or using it for decoration, harvest the seeds from the inside. These seeds could be baked in the oven to create a delicious snack or planted into the ground. Seeds that are planted in the ground will produce a pumpkin for next year!
Feed to Wildlife
Some wildlife such as deer, birds and squirrels will that are left out. If you are feeling creative create a wildlife feeder. In a hollowed pumpkin add discarded food scraps such as apples, nuts, seeds or even bird seed.
No matter if you choose to compost or create something with your leftover pumpkin you are now practicing sustainability just like Wisconsin farmers. Take the stress out of the holiday season and pick an option that works best for your family. You can rest assured that all your hard work picking out the perfect pumpkin did not go to waste!
Celebrating Christmas with Inspiration Acres
By Rachel LaCount
Visiting Inspiration Acres feels like walking onto the set of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Sisters Krista Peterson and Kara Kasten-Olson have taken their Christmas tree farm and built a holiday tradition centered around family, community and love for the land.
The inspiration began with their parents. After both had passed away, Krista and Kara wanted a way to honor their legacy while keeping the farm in the family. They grew up on a dairy farm near Richfield, where they learned the value of hard work and giving back to their community. That foundation has carried into their journey as Christmas tree growers.
In 2020, the sisters purchased land in Redgranite from a retired grower and mentor who had tended Christmas trees there for 60 years. They’re proud to carry on that tradition while planting new trees that will be enjoyed by families for generations to come.
Sustainability is at the heart of Inspiration Acres. Krista and Kara see working with the land as both a privilege and a responsibility. Caring for soil, water and wildlife ensures their trees thrive and protects the community they love.
Beyond trees, Inspiration Acres is about bringing people together. Whether it’s decorating a porch pot, crafting a wreath or simply standing around a tree with family, Krista says it best: “It’s all about the art of the possible. People gather around the tree, and that’s where they make those memories.”
Krista and Kara have found joy in working side by side. Krista thrives outdoors with the trees, while Kara shines managing the details that keep everything running. Together, they’ve built something bigger than themselves; a place where moments turn into memories.
“There’s something special about bringing people back to where we grew up,” Krista shared. “That’s what the holidays are all about.”
At Inspiration Acres, the magic isn’t just in the trees. It’s in the love two sisters share for their family, their farm and their community.
Five Gifts for the Wisconsinite in Your Life
By Anastasia Gerbitz
Christmas gift giving and finding items that your family and friends will like can sometimes be tough, but do you want to know what everyone will always love? Something that is special to you, too! These are some Wisconsin staples that truly say, “I love you,” in a gift.
Carr Valley Cheese
Nothing says ‘holidays in Wisconsin’ more than a gift of cheese. Carr Valley Cheese offers the Wisconsin staples like cheese curds, creative varieties like sheep milk cheese, and everything in between. If you’re looking for something different, their Bread Cheese® is a must-have.
You can find their cheeses online at WisconsinCheeseMart.com.
Chippy’s Popcorn
This is more than just your regular kettle corn. Located in Beaver Dam, Chippy’s Popcorn features the flavors you’d only dream of in your popcorn -things like candy cane, sugar cookie and churro. The best part? Chippy’s comes in pre-packed gift boxes, just to make the holidays a little bit easier!
Chippy’s Popcorn can be found at ChippysPopcorn.com
Waterford Bee Company
With a variety of different products, Waterford Bee Company has something for everyone. Looking for a tasty treat to include in your gifts? Try their Bacon Habanero Salsa. Want something to help fight the dry winter air? Choose from their selection of hand salves, all of which are made with their beeswax.
Visit their website, WaterfordBeeCompany.com, to learn more about their products.
Fox Ridge Candles
Sometimes the perfect gift is a great smelling candle. Fox Ridge Candles can be the perfect spot for your holiday candle gifts! They offer both gift boxes and individual candles, allowing you to find the perfect candles for your gifting needs. Some holiday scents to look out for are their Christmas Hearth and Cranberry & Spice. You can find their array of candles at FoxRidgeCandles.com
Apple Barn Orchard & Winery
Did you know that there are around 300 apple orchards in Wisconsin? Highlight those amazing products with Apple Barn Orchard & Winery’s non-grape, fruit wines. Besides just their Honey Crisp Apple Harvest wine, they offer other Wisconsin flavors like Cranberry Homestead. These wines can be purchased online at VinoShipper.com.
These are just a few examples of the amazing products Wisconsin has to offer. If you find yourself looking for more options to add to your Christmas shopping, browse the hundreds of Something Special from Wisconsin members who certifying that at least 50% of their product’s ingredients, production, or processing is from or completed in our state at SomethingSpecialWI.com.
INGREDIENTS
• 4 cups cranberries
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup water
* may also substitute for cranberry or orange juice
• cinnamon to taste
• cloves to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients in an oven-safe dish. Cover with aluminum foil and put into preheated oven for one hour.
NOTES
• Sugar can be substituted with maple syrup or honey.
• When the sauce comes out of the oven, the berries will retain their shape and color.
• Sauce may be enjoyed warm or chilled if prepared beforehand.
Contributed by Wisconsin cranberry grower, Amber Bristow. Visit gatherwisconsin.com for more recipes.
