Country Woman Close-up

The Perfect Pumpkins

Our cover gal’s partial to her patch work.

Family farming is far from garden variety for Kari Egger and her husband, Bob. They’ve carved a unique niche growing produce and U-pick pumpkins smack in the middle of an island.

“Our farm, The Pumpkin Patch, is in Oregon on Sauvie Island, an agricultural community in Portland’s backyard,” Kari says. “In October alone, 100,000 people cross the bridge to visit.” A taste of real farm life—and a bumper crop of entertainment—await them.

“We grow about 1.5 million pounds of pumpkins of different varieties, sizes and colors. Our customers ride to the patch aboard a tractor-drawn hay wagon,” Kari explains. “Along with the harvest, the farm offers all kinds of fun, family attractions.

“One ‘must’ is a ride on our cow train. Its passenger cars are made of barrels painted to look like Holsteins and are pulled by an ATV. It takes guests down dirt roads, past our flower fields and veggie patches. A popular stop is the animal barn, home to our llama, goat, bunnies and chickens.”

A Bounty of Fun

“Our retail market is where you’ll usually find me,” Kari says about the vast indoor produce stand, open June through October. “In fall, our bins are brimming with fresh apples, pears, potatoes, tomatoes, green beans and other crops grown here and on neighboring farms.”

For guests needing pumpkin-picking energy, an on-farm cafe serves sandwiches, cider, cobs of supersweet corn and homemade cobbler. Afterward, they can browse through the Pumpkin Cottage gift shop, where Kari stocks home accents and seasonal decor.

One of Oregon’s favorite Halloween haunts is The Maize, the Eggers’ 5-acre cornfield labyrinth. “It’s planted and cut in a different design every year,” Kari says. “Our ‘corn cops’ help visitors navigate the twisted walk through the stalks. A few friendly spooks pop up there, too.”

On autumn weekdays, schoolchildren come to the island by the busloads. “During their tours, we explain how our crops are planted, hand-picked and marketed,” she notes. “We also tell them about sustainable agriculture and how we use earth-friendly farming practices to nurture the land for future generations.”

Roots Run Deep

Bob’s parents sowed the seeds for The Pumpkin Patch some 40 years ago. “We took over when they retired,” Kari says. “Now, we farm 650 acres and grow over 40 different fruits and vegetables. The farm’s still a family affair.

“Three of Bob’s aunts work here—one’s our bookkeeper, and the others manage our gift shop and cafe. Last year, my two sisters and their husbands came from Colorado and Oklahoma to help on our busiest October weekend.”

Thinking outside the patch, Kari and Bob have added a bushel of new crops to their roster. “Our market season begins with spring berries, moves on to summer stone fruits and ends with winter squash, eggplants and other fall produce,” she says.

“We also sell wholesale to commercial buyers, including major grocery store chains. Our customers appreciate the fact we’re full-time farmers. It’s a lifestyle for us, not just a job. It’s hard work—but we love it!

“Our 15-year-old daughter, Jade, enjoys cashiering in the market. And son Colton, 10, plans to be a farmer when he grows up. He can’t wait to drive the tractor on his own.

“It’s so satisfying to see families coming to our farm to re-create traditions, season after season,” Kari says. “This is a place where people can make memories worth repeating. And we get to be part of them!”

Editor’s Note: For more on The Pumpkin Patch, call 1-503/621-3874 or connect to their Web site from our links page.

Photos: Jim Wieland; Harris and Harris Photographics
Cover photo shot at Swan’s Pumpkin Farm, Inc., Franksville, Wisconsin