The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Rogers' Pumpkin Farm
by: Melanie Sharpe-Lessen, Quill Reporter
Roger's Pumpkin Farm is located in Lomax. The beautiful farm is that of Jim and Kathi Rogers. The two, along with their children, Dan, Sarah, Isaac, and their grandchildren all contribute to the ever expanding and abundant farm.
The farm has been in existence since 1996, starting as only a small picnic table on 8/10 of an acre.The farm has now expanded to 12 acres in its nine year run.
To call it a pumpkin farm is a bit misleading, because when you think of pumpkins, the standard orange round idea comes in your head, but you may find it a bit more than standard here.
The farm boasts several varieties of gourds, fresh and dried as well as many pumpkin varieties and squash. To many, the surprise and delight of finding a blue pumpkin is worth the trip in itself.
Kathi stated that she experiments yearly with new varieties of all of the gourds. She also stated that all you see at the farm is grown there, which is quite impressive when you see the extensive spread. They carry a wide range of sizes of the "typical" pumpkin ranging from $2 to $8. They also have several heirloom varieties; Cinderella, white and the aforementioned blue, to name a few.
The farm is a great get-way for any family, couple, or group. It is set up with large stands of their wares from the pumpkins, to straw bales, mums, corn stocks, garden art, and dried gourd birdhouses.
There is also a large 41/2 acre corn maze shaped as a scarecrow, which adults and children alike can enjoy. The maze also is a sort of treasure hunt that children have to report answers to questions found along the path so they can receive a prize.
Besides being open to the public, the farm also gets a lot of traffic from local schools and daycares. The children enjoy; seeing the pumpkin patch, the maze, and are treated to ghoul-aid and cookies.
The groups also get to make their own scarecrow, which is then left on display in their small barn. The kids, as well as adults also can take a roll down the roly-poly hill for a little fun.
The Rogers Pumpkin Farm also hosts an annual Family Day, on the first Saturday in October. This year they had approximately 2000 people in attendance. The day consists of getting to explore an actual teepee, playing in a bouncing house, and also hearing stories told by a storyteller. These are just a few of the activities at this yearly event. Plan on attending next year, it sounds like a fun event that every family would enjoy.
Also the La Harpe honor students help put together a yearly haunted maze event, this year to be scheduled for October 28th and 29th.
Jim and Kathi also said that the La Harpe FFA are huge contributors to their farm, with all the help they provide.
The farm is open daily from 8:00 a.m. until sundown. Sundays are typically reserved for large church groups, but please call if you are interested in bringing a group to the farm, so they can be ready for your arrival.
While the groups are there they can enjoy a wiener roast and hayrack ride.
The phone number to call is: 217.449.3486. Stop by before this beautiful fall weather quickly turns to dreary winter. The setting will revive your spirit and your family will have a chance to run around in this beautiful fall weather.
Pictured left-right: Kathi and Jim Rogers, with their faces in a replica of "American Gothic" skillfully painted by La Harpe Art teacher Judy Stevenson.