Harvest Happiness: Experience the Best of Fall at Carpenter’s Pumpkin Farm in Linden, PA

LINDEN – Carpenter’s Pumpkin Farm, between Lock Haven and Williamsport in Linden, has become a beloved tradition for many families in the area. Established in 1994, the farm has evolved from a simple pumpkin sale to a full-fledged fall experience for all ages.

This year, Carpenter’s Pumpkin Farm will offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. Guests can explore the corn maze, interact with farm animals, take hayrides, pick their own pumpkins, and even capture a perfect fall family portrait while visiting the picturesque piece of property. 

“We will have spider and cat props that we make from hay bales. We’ll have farm animals in the barns for everyone to see, hay rides on Saturdays and Sundays (weather permitting), and our corn maze and pumpkin picking which is open every day,” said farm owner Edith (Edie) Carpenter. 

Edie said that visitors can expect to see two pigs, sheep, a goat, two baby calves, chickens, and rabbits this year. Hay rides are on Saturdays and Sundays weather permitting from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The corn maze and the pumpkin patch where guests can pick their own pumpkin are open seven days a week from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm.

Edie Carpenter, along with her husband John, first started Carpenter’s Pumpkin Farm when she decided to put up a cardboard sign advertising pumpkins for sale near the river lots located behind the farm’s property. Despite doubts from her husband, Edie’s sign attracted attention and more people began coming to their farm every October.

“I made a sign out of cardboard and put it down by the river lots because, at the time, that’s where all of the traffic was, so I put the sign way down there,” she said. “My husband said ‘You can do it, but nobody’s going to come’, and at that time we hadn’t been growing pumpkins, so it was new.” 

Both Edie and John come from farming backgrounds and have always had a love for farming. As the farm grew in popularity, their three sons and even their extended family joined in to help during the pumpkin harvest. Even their sons’ friends are employed each year to help with picking the pumpkins due to such high demand for the gourds. “Both of us have a love for farming, and when people love your products it’s so rewarding,” Edie said.

What sets Carpenter’s Pumpkin Farm apart from others in the area is the personal touch and welcoming atmosphere. Edie expressed that she and her family love to be able to share their farm with visitors. The Carpenter family has lived in their farmhouse for 28 years, and one of their sons owns the home next door to it. “The experience is very personal. This is our home, this is where we live, and we love what we do. Seeing people come and enjoy what we have to offer is so rewarding.” Edie emphasized.ffeatured

The Carpenters love seeing familiar faces return year after year and witnessing new generations create their own memories at the farm.

“What’s really neat is when we see people that we knew as kids come to the farm. Now they bring their own children because they had a fun experience here and as adults, they want to share that same experience with their own children. That really makes us feel good about what we’re doing. It’s very rewarding,” Edie said. 

Despite the farm’s popularity, the Carpenters do not charge an entrance fee and have no plans to do so. They believe that farming and sharing their farm with others is a part of who they are, and they don’t want to charge for that experience.

The family’s welcoming nature can be seen in their response to the numerous people who roam around their property and use their front porch as a backdrop for family portraits. While some of Edie’s friends have questioned the possible discomfort of having so many people on their property, the Carpenters take it in stride. To them, it is simply what they do and they wouldn’t want it any other way.

“A lot of my friends have said, ‘Don’t you feel really weird having like 200 people just roaming around your house?’ and I’d say, ‘Well I never thought of it like that until you just said it.’”

Perhaps the most unexpected form of publicity for Carpenter’s Pumpkin Farm is its popularity on social media. The large farmhouse porch serves as the perfect backdrop for family photos, adorned with mums and vibrant pumpkins of various colors, which has gone viral on Facebook. While the farm gained popularity through word of mouth in the beginning, it was the viral nature of family portraits being taken on the farmhouse’s front porch and in front of their hay bale Halloween props that truly catapulted them into the public eye. 

Visitors who came for the pumpkins or vegetables started taking photos on the decorated porch, and this tradition soon spread to others. Over the years, the farm has received countless requests from families to have their portraits taken on the infamous porch, and Edie often steps in to help capture these special moments. She noted that the atmosphere as visitors form a line for their turn to get a photo on the porch is always enjoyable, with everyone patiently waiting for their turn and even offering to take a photo for families wanting to include each member in the image.

The porch has effectively become the farm’s trademark, and Edie exclusively takes charge of the decor which serves as a backdrop for family photos. Although the end result appears as though a professional was hired to decorate the facade, according to Edie, the process of decorating it each year is quite simple. “Each year as we’re picking pumpkins, when we find a really spectacular one, we’ll say to each other, ‘That’s a porch pumpkin!’ and we use it.” Those pumpkins are then set aside for the porch decor, which will undoubtedly be featured in a multitude of fall family photos year after year. 

With over 50 different varieties of pumpkins; small, large, and in various colors, visitors are sure to find the perfect pumpkin for their Halloween carving or festive decorations.

Edie pointed out the range of pumpkins grown on the farm, each variation having an interesting name, including, “Jack-be-little”, “Cinderella”, “Blanco”, and “Casperina” pumpkins. Casperina pumpkins are small with a white color, and Blanco pumpkins are also white but grow to be much larger. One popular variety is the “porcelain doll” pumpkin, which features a stunning light pink color and comes in small to medium size. The farm even boasts a pumpkin patch with “Atlantic Giant” pumpkins. The heaviest Atlantic Giant the Carpenters have seen boasted a hefty 900 pounds.

In addition to pumpkins, Carpenter’s Pumpkin Farm also grows other produce such as sweet corn, tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower. Visitors can purchase a variety of fresh, locally grown vegetables while experiencing the beauty of the farm.

The Carpenters begin the process of growing pumpkins in June, depending on the weather. Edie shared that they start their vegetables in May, ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce throughout the season.

One of the highlights of Carpenter’s Pumpkin Farm is its interactive corn maze. Spanning across four acres of land, the maze is created by hand-cutting the corn when it is knee-high. Visitors can test their agricultural knowledge as they navigate through the maze, with quizzes and signs posted throughout. The maze offers an entertaining and educational experience for guests of all ages.

Despite weather conditions impacting the number of visitors during a few years, Carpenter’s Pumpkin Farm has still seen its popularity grow over the years. The parking area often fills up quickly, with guests willing to park at the far end of the lot, which is normally a sweet corn field during the off-season, just to visit the farm. 

The pumpkin farm’s popularity has spread to nearby preschools, daycares, and elementary schools, many of which now bring students for field trips to the pumpkin patch in October, a testament to the farm’s growing reputation.

Carpenter’s Pumpkin Farm is not just known for its picturesque porch and other activities; it has also witnessed several memorable moments and events throughout the years. Edie shared that the farm has been the site of several engagements taking place in the pumpkin patch, with one couple even choosing to tie the knot on the premises. “We’ve had three proposals in the pumpkin patch, and one of those actually got married here in our barn. We’ve also had a couple get engaged on the front porch,” she said. Even the corn maze has been host to a proposal, with the couples’ close friends hiding amongst the tall cornstalks waiting to hear, “Yes” before jumping out with excitement.  

The farm is clearly a beloved place for creating special memories, and this even includes visitors who want to bring their furry friends along for the experience. Dog owners have been known to bring their pets for their own photo shoots at the pumpkin farm. “We’ve had people bring their dogs dressed in costumes, and we’ve even seen one dog owner bring multiple costumes to change him into for photos.” The Carpenters noted that they do allow dogs at the pumpkin farm, however, they must be on a leash at all times. 

As for Halloween traditions, Carpenter’s Pumpkin Farm offers visitors the opportunity to venture through their corn maze after sunset, a unique and exciting way to experience the farm’s offerings during the Halloween season. To take a tour through the corn maze after sunset, interested individuals must first make an appointment by either calling the farm owners or sending them a message through the farm’s Facebook page. 

For Edie Carpenter, Carpenter’s Pumpkin Farm holds a special place in her heart. Farming and operating a bustling pumpkin farm is not just a business for her; it’s her passion. “Basically, it all started by putting my little sign out there to draw people in just for the pumpkins,” she explained. “It’s our life, it’s what we do, and I’m extremely proud of it,”. Edie’s voice filled with emotion as she expressed her surprise and happiness at the overwhelming response from the community, saying, “I never dreamt that people would like what we do here on the farm so much, and the fact that they do makes me so happy.” 

Those who wish to experience the magic of Carpenter’s Pumpkin Farm for themselves can do so at 75 Carpenter Lane in Linden, PA. The farm is open seven days a week throughout October from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM. Visitors can also stay updated with the farm’s activities and announcements by following their Facebook page. For further information, interested individuals can contact John and Edie Carpenter at 570-398-2311.

Whether it’s taking family portraits on the iconic porch, picking your own pumpkin, getting lost in the corn maze, or getting engaged amidst the pumpkin patch, Carpenter’s Pumpkin Farm has created a special space in the hearts of its visitors. It has become a cherished tradition for many, attracting both locals and tourists alike. Carpenter’s Pumpkin Farm is not just a place to pick out a pumpkin, it is a place for families to create lasting memories. Edie summed it up best by saying, “That’s what the farm is really all about; family, fun, and tradition.”

Address: 75 Carpenter Ln, Linden Pa 17744

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carpenterspumpkinfarmllc

Contact: John Carpenter & Edith 570-398-2311

Hours: Open 7 days a week throughout October from 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Directions: Rt 220 to S. Pine Run Road, Turn Left on Young’s Rd, Turn Right onto Wesly Lane, then Turn Right on Carpenter Lane.

If you’re traveling from Lock Haven on Route 220, just turn right at Dunkin’ Donuts in Linden