WINNEMUCCA - It's official. Humboldt County is about to have its very own pumpkin patch - give or take a few months.
Last month, over 75 volunteers converged on the Lazy P Adventure Farm in Grass Valley to help plant 1.8 acres of pumpkins. In all, the adults and children planted more than 4,700 seeds from eight different varieties of pumpkins.
Come October, the pumpkins will be ready to harvest as part of a Fall Farm Festival planned for the official debut of the Lazy P Adventure Farm to the community.
Kim Petersen, who co-owns the farm with his wife Yvonne, said every weekend in October will be filled with exciting activities for the entire family, including a 5-acre corn maze, petting zoo, farmers harvest haunted house, bounce house, cow train, corn cannon, face painting, pedal bikes, wagon rides, good food, a variety of wholesome entertainment and demonstrations and, of course, the pumpkin patch.
In addition to local and out-of-area families, Petersen is hoping to connect with area schools as well with a special agri-tourism curriculum he says will be the perfect blend of education and fun for field trips throughout the month.
On June 9, volunteers planted each pumpkin using a stick to create an inch-deep hole before dropping in a seed and covering it with soil.
Petersen said each family planted at least one 245-foot row, spacing pumpkins according to their varieties. The rows are numbered so each family can come back later and see their pumpkins' progress. Plus, each child who participated in the pumpkin planting received a certificate to come back and pick a free pumpkin during the festival.
The day before the massive pumpkin planting, Petersen and his family planted over five acres -and 400,000 seeds - of corn using a corn planter. It will take thousands of gallons of water running almost 24 hours a day to get the seeds to germinate, but come October, the corn will be transformed into an amazing corn maze.
The man who works by day as the director of the Winnemucca Convention and Visitors Authority said this "night job" has been in the back of his mind for many years.
"This has been a long-time dream of mine," he explained. "It will be a vehicle to educate, in a very hands-on way, children and families about agriculture's past, present and future."
Petersen said the nonprofit venture will be made possible this year through a unique partnership with the Humboldt County Chamber of Commerce.
"But that's just the beginning of our plans to provide a facility that will eventually feature these displays and activities year-round," he said.
Petersen said his farm has required a tremendous amount of work over the past months - work that absolutely could not have been accomplished without the help of his very dedicated family including Travis and Liz Petersen and children McKenzi, Alexis and Payton; Irene and Roy Brutsman and son Corbin; and Jason Petersen and daughter Jill.
"All the kids have chores and are a great help," said Petersen. "The farm has been good for them and they have learned so much about life and the responsibilities of having livestock and growing crops."
Petersen said a caring group of friends, including Stewart and Janine Avery, Walt Curtis, Pete Cassinelli, Leland Miller, Terry Eldridge and others, are also helping the farm take shape.
"It's been a great adventure and a time of learning for all of us," said Petersen, noting that his new venture has certainly broadened his own perspective regarding local farmers.
"I can tell you that having only been in the farming business since January I have a lot more respect for farmers and what they do to provide products for consumers," he said.
"It takes an incredible amount of time, equipment and investment with no guarantee of a return to make it all happen."
Petersen hopes the community will reap the bounty the farm will offer this fall. But he also invites any willing community volunteers to join in the "sowing" efforts going on right now.
Those who participated in the pumpkin planting were alerted to the effort via Facebook. Petersen said future efforts will also be posted on that site.
"We welcome anyone that would like to assist us in reaching our goal through volunteer help, good ideas and demonstrations," he said.
Sponsors and donations are also welcome to support what will continue to be a costly effort.
More information about the Lazy P Adventure Farm is available on Facebook or by contacting Kim Petersen directly at (775) 625-1194 or via email at Petersen@wmca.net.
Information will also be available soon at www.lazypfarm.com.
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