Family pumpkin farms in Grundy County area educate youth on farming, history

MINOOKA – What started as a front yard farm stand in 2001 has grown leaps and bounds at Heap’s Giant Pumpkin Farm in Minooka.

This year, the farm has grown in the form of Milo’s Castle, a large wooden structure mostly built by Kevin Heap and family, complete with towers, tunnels and two pirate ships. The giant playground was named after Heap’s grandfather, Milo.

“It was a challenge, but I enjoy building things,” he said. “We always try to add something new each year.”

On Wednesday, the Heaps were driving 13 kindergarten classes from Dr. Julian Rogus Elementary School in Frankfort on hayrack rides out to the pumpkin patch.

It took four shifts of three to four drivers to complete the tour. Student Carlos Miranda was intrigued by the ride and giant pumpkins still on the vine.

“I’m going to be a tractor driver one day, just to see what it’s all about,” Miranda said.

It was the first time the Rogus School has done a field trip to Heap’s, teacher Tina Gnade said.

When they weren’t on a hayrack ride, the students were in groups either playing in Milo’s Castle, picking out pumpkins to take home, eating or playing in the Heaps O’ Fun haystack barn.

Ellyn Heap, a retired teacher of 30 years and cousin of Kevin Heap’s father, Gary, taught a lesson on pumpkins and bees to each group. She explained, among other things, what makes a good pie pumpkin and how bees make wax for some of their birthday candles. Students were surprised to hear vines can grow to 30 feet long before you find a pumpkin at the end of it.

Gnade said it was a wonderful experience for the students, who learned about farming and in particular, growing pumpkins.

The family business has grown so quickly Ellyn Heap joined the team as a retired teacher. She said Gary Heap asked her to teach a lesson to visitors because they were in need of more help.

The farm, which has been in the family since the 1860s, became an agricultural tourism destination in 2009 when Kevin Heap graduated from Purdue University with a degree in agricultural business. In 2010, they built barns that are home to the various attractions.

“I remember when Kevin graduated from college,” Ellyn Heap said. “His mother said he’s got some big ideas. They’ve really built something here.”

Throughout the years, the Heaps have raised cattle and hogs and grown corn, soybeans, oats and hay. But Kevin Heap said he’s always had a love for growing pumpkins. The farm now grows pumpkins in many varieties.

There is free admission to the farm from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. through Oct. 31. Individual attractions range from $1 to $3 a person or $6 to $8 a person for a barnyard pass which includes mazes and rides. There’s also wide selection of pumpkin species available to purchase.

Although it was one of the Heap’s busiest weekdays and largest field trip groups this fall, Kevin Heap was able to relax for a moment before another class arrived.

“The best part is right now, when they leave with smiles,” he said. “And you know they learned a little bit about agriculture.”

At the Dollinger Family Farm in Channahon, which is open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. through Oct. 30, events and attractions such as Civil War Days on Saturday and Sunday have brought people in year after year.

“We have people who have taken pictures here each year,” Lori Lakota, marketer for Dollinger Farms said. “It’s a tradition for some.”

The 20th Annual Civil War Days will feature real actors who come in and set up tents on the farm and stay the night. The farm was once considered the town of Dresden, Lakota said, and was a stagecoach stop.

The Dollinger Family Farm, which also is free admission, features both tractor and horse drawn hay rides, honey making, a four-acre corn maze, large gift shop, steam train rides on weekends and a Native American exhibit on Sundays.