One hundred kids clamor out of school bus seats as fast they can. They can hardly stand still in neat class rows as they listen to safety instructions. Their view of the hay bale maze, bounce houses, pony rides, and petting zoo animals are just too enticing.
Within seconds, the fields of The Patch at Fountainhead Stables on Lake Eufaula erupt in playful laughter and a tractor engine roars to life as it prepares for the first group to go on the hayride.
The pumpkin patch is owned and operated by Torie and Josh Anderson of Hanna, Oklahoma.
“My family has always farmed watermelons and about 10 years ago we started growing pumpkins,” Torie said. Having a pumpkin patch had always been a dream, but it wasn’t until July 2023, while driving past the empty Fountainhead Stables, that it started to take shape.
Torie got a lease on the property, and her family started cleaning up the old barns and clearing out the old trails.
“I had never run a pumpkin patch before, and my husband had never been to one. He said, ‘what do you do at a pumpkin patch?’ So we came up with different ideas, asked what people would like to do and see, and we put it all into place,” Torie said.
The Patch opened October 2, 2023, and ran through the start of November. In one month, they hosted 50 school field trips and church groups, providing fun and farm-life experiences to around 2,500 kids.
“Our family all came together and had their certain jobs,” Torie said. "We pulled together and made it happen … our family grew closer. We enjoyed it and the community loved it, close and convenient.”
The first fall season was such a success, that in December they opened holiday-themed festivities at the patch entitled, “It’s Christmas, Y’all,” adding a life-sized gingerbread house and a live nativity scene.
Both events heavily emphasized the possibilities and realities of rural life.
“The farmer is depleted,” Torie said. “Most kids don’t even know where their food comes from.”
“It’s important to educate children about the process of farming. How a pumpkin grows. You don’t just put a seed in the ground and a pumpkin appears. You have to tend to your crops. It’s hard work, day and night.”
The ability to pet the animals, feel the corn in their hands, climb on hay bales, and pick their own pumpkin, even as play, goes a long way in helping kids feel connected to the natural world.
“We try to make it a good learning experience for them, plus fun,” Torie said.
The Patch was awarded and Operation Round Up grant in 2024 from the East Central Electric Cooperative Foundation to help expand the fall festivities. The grant was used to support the petting zoo and fill the corn bin.
To the co-op members who support the foundation, Torie said, “thank you for the grant opportunity and for choosing us to receive it. It was very helpful in starting up the new year.”
The Patch will be open to visitors each day in October, with spooky activities for older age groups on Saturday evenings from dark to 10 p.m. Hours of operation are Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.