By Malinda Geisler, content specialist, Ag Marketing Resource Center, Iowa State University.

Profile revised August 2009.


Overview
The U.S. pumpkin market is regarded as limited and seasonal. Pumpkins are grown primarily for processing with a small percentage grown for ornamental sales through you-pick farms, farmers’ market and retail sales. In 2008, pumpkins harvested from 43,400 acres were valued at $140.7 million. Top pumpkin production states are Illinois, California, Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan and Ohio. 

According to the University of Illinois, 90 percent of the pumpkins grown in the United States are raised within a 90-mile radius of Peoria, Illinois. Most pumpkins are processed into canned pumpkin and canned pie mix. Processing pumpkins have a comparable size and shape of a watermelon and a lighter colored shell.

The town of Morton, near Peoria in central Illinois, is the self-proclaimed Pumpkin Capital of the World. Morton is the location of a Libby’s® pumpkin processing plant owned by Nestlé Food Company, which cans more than 85 percent of the world’s pumpkin each year.

Pumpkins can range in size from less than one pound to more than 1,000 pounds. Miniature-sized pumpkins weigh less than one pound and typically are used for decorative purposes. Pie pumpkins range in many sizes. The 5- to 10-pound pie pumpkin varieties are most often grown. Pumpkins in the 10- to 25-pound range are primarily used for jack-o-lanterns and can also be used for processing. Pumpkins above 25 pounds are called giant. Giant pumpkins typically range between 25 to 75 pounds in size.

Source
Vegetables Annual Summary, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), USDA.


Production

• Commercial Production and Management of Pumpkins and Gourds, University of Georgia - This online publication covers all parts of successful pumpkin management and includes marketing tips.
• Grading Manual for Canned Pumpkin and Canned Squash, Ag Marketing Service, 1957 - This document details how pumpkins are processed.
• A Halloween Tradition, AgSelect.com, 2001 -  This site provides a general overview of pumpkins, production and marketing.
• Organic Pumpkin and Winter Squash Production, Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA), 2003 - This document covers production, weed and pest management, harvesting and marketing.
• Pumpkin Butter and Mashed or Pureed Squashes, University of Georgia, 1997 -  This one-page document reviews safety regarding canned pumpkin products.
• Pumpkin Nook - This Web site calls itself the "Internet shrine and library for pumpkins." It include information on growing, holiday ideas and educational material.
• Pumpkin Production Guide, Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service, 2003 - This 152-page guide covers the basics to cutting-edge research. It includes sample budgets and marketing ideas. It is available for purchase.
• Pumpkins, Vegetables and Melons Outlook, Economic Research Service (ERS), USDA, 2007.
• Pumpkins & More, University of Illinois - This site is completely devoted to pumpkins. It includes sections on growing, selection and uses, varieties and festival ideas.
• Pumpkins and Squash, Vegetable Research and Information Center, University of California Cooperative Extension -  This resource site has links to summer and winter squash and pumpkin production.
• Pumpkins, Commercial Vegetable Production, Kansas State University - This document outlines commercial pumpkin production for Kansas. It includes production costs and direct marketing ideas.
• Vegetables and Melons, ERS, USDA - This government portal provides general information and statistics on the U.S. vegetable and melon industries.

 Businesses/Case Studies

• Arata Pumpkin Farm, Half Moon Bay, California - This farm claims to be the oldest working pumpkin farm in San Mateo County. Pumpkins have been grown since 1932. The Arata farm specializes in hosting school groups. It also distributes pumpkins to Rite Aid Stores nationwide.
• Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm, Lockport, Illinois - Bengtson’s, a working pumpkin farm, offers a variety of activities for families, including a haunted and fun barn, pumpkin launcher and racing pigs.
• County Line Orchard, Ag Marketing Resource Center, 2002 - Located in Hobart, Indiana, County Line Orchard is operated by the McAfees, a fifth-generation farm family. The orchard is a pumpkin and you-pick apple farm that specializes in agritourism. The farm hosts students and teachers for educational tours. About half of the family's total business comes from pumpkin sales and apple and cider sales.
• Happy Apple Farm, Penrose, Colorado - This farm offers more than just Jonathan, Gala, Red and Golden Delicious apples. The you-pick pumpkin patch becomes haunted during October. The farm hosts Halloween activities that include each guest receiving a pumpkin, candy and a “death ride to lighted pumpkin field.” Visitors are encouraged to dress in costumes.
• Just a Plain Farm LLC, Carp Lake, Michigan - This enterprise offers a family-run farm market from July through late November. It also grows pumpkins and 20 varieties of fall squash.
• Kathy's Pumpkin Patch, Donnellson, Iowa - The pumpkin patch is part of a third-generation crop farm located in southeast Iowa. The farm grows about 30 acres of pumpkins, squash and fall ornamentals and sells them at their roadside stand. The pumpkin patch also hosts fall activities and events through Halloween.
• Milky Way Farm, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania - The family-owned and -operated dairy farm offers birthday parties and private and school group tours. During October, the farm hosts a you-pick pumpkin patch. About 25,000 pumpkins are grown on 10 acres.
• Nordic Ridge Gardens, Calumet, Minnesota - This former dairy farm promotes educational school field trips during September and October. In addition to thousands of pumpkins, the farm raises squash, gourds and strawberries. 
• Swan Pumpkin Farm, Franksville, Wisconsin - This farm in Racine County features many activities and tours during harvest and Halloween, such as pumpkin bowling, a corn maze and a haunted house.
• Walters' Pumpkin Patch, Burns, Kansas - The pumpkin patch started out as farming and ranching business for Carroll and Becky Walters. In 1998, the Walters decided to try to grow pumpkins as a business, and Walters' Pumpkin Patch began to take shape.

Links checked by August 2009.