Starr Farms grows about 500 acres of pumpkins each year. Pattie Starr is pictured with some of the crop. The farm is opening a 150-year-old house there where people can stay for a short vacation and learn about the farm’s operations. Photo provided
A local farm operation is finding success with a crop they started raising just a few years ago. Adding to the farm’s diversification, the owners are getting ready to open a home where visitors can stay for awhile and learn about farming.
Brad and Patti Starr own and operate Starr Farms. They formed a partnership eight years ago with Jack and Jennifer Biehl to operate the farm.
“In order to diversify and make the farm profitable to large families, we needed to increase acreage or find another means to make that happen. So four years ago, we brought the pumpkins in. The first year we committed over 200 acres for pumpkins, now we have doubled that,” she said.
Now, each fall, the farm’s pumpkins fill semi trailers that would stretch 10-12 miles if lined up.
“We grow roughly a semi load per acre. We typically have about 500 semi loads. There are thousands of pumpkins on each truck, depending on the size,” Brad Starr said.
Starr Farms is located in Harrison Township and has been in the family for years. Along with the new crop, the farm raises corn, soybeans and produce.
The pumpkins are rotated from field to field each year, just like beans and corn.
“We start planting around Memorial Day weekend. Then at the end of August we try to harvest because many stores and vendors need pumpkins ahead of time to use for decoration,” Patti Starr said.
The pumpkins are sold by the bin or large box like the ones in stores in the fall. Starr Farms sells them to a distributor.
“We have sold pumpkins across the United States, one shipment even went to Costa Rica,” he said.
The couple is opening a 150-year old home for people to come stay and learn about the farm and the process of harvesting.
“We want to open our farm to people to learn about agriculture, how we do things and also just get away for a weekend. The home, Rosie Kay Cottage, is surrounded by 500 acres,” Patti Starr said.
About 75 people help during harvest time.
“There is a lot to raising the pumpkins and a lot of time put into them. People buy pumpkins at the store and they don’t realize the process behind it all,” Brad Starr said.
“We enjoy raising the pumpkins, it is exciting,” Patti said. “The pleasure on people’s faces when they receive our product is great; they can’t believe we do this here in Connersville. They are beautiful, I enjoy walking through the field and looking at them.”
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