About St. John UMC Pumpkin Patch

Discover the heartwarming tradition of the pumpkin patch at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Winter Haven—a place where generations have come to make lasting memories. While this beloved event is well-known in the community, the incredible journey these pumpkins take and the positive impact they make are less widely known.

It all starts on a beautiful farm nestled in the Navajo Reservation in Farmington, NM, where a dedicated team of Native American workers lovingly grow these pumpkins. This farm is more than just a place to grow produce; it provides 25 full-time jobs and 550 seasonal positions, offering meaningful employment opportunities for Native Americans. Plus, the farm prides itself on using only documented labor, ensuring everything is done transparently and ethically.

These pumpkins come with an extra bonus—they’re non-GMO. They’re cultivated the traditional way, free from genetic modifications. After 100 days of careful tending, these pumpkins are handpicked, loaded onto trucks, and sent to SJUMC in Winter Haven, FL. There, they take their place in the pumpkin patch, where every purchase helps fund the SJUMC Real Life Youth Ministry’s mission trips.

So, as you stroll through the pumpkin patch, remember that each pumpkin has already been on an incredible journey, spreading positivity every step of the way. By visiting St. John’s United Methodist Church’s pumpkin patch, you’re not just taking part in a cherished tradition—you’re also supporting local communities, promoting sustainability, and connecting with nature in a meaningful way.

Welcome to a place where pumpkins become more than just seasonal decorations—they become symbols of unity, purpose, and growth.

Year Church Founded

1st Pumpkin Patch

What does Sustainable Farming Practices Mean?

Sustainable farming practices are methods used in agriculture that aim to protect the environment, conserve resources, and maintain the health of the soil, water, and ecosystems for future generations. These practices focus on minimizing the negative impact of farming on the environment while ensuring that the land remains productive over the long term. Here’s what it typically involves:

1. **Crop Rotation**: This involves changing the types of crops grown in a particular field each season or year. By rotating crops, farmers can reduce the build-up of pests and diseases in the soil, which in turn reduces the need for chemical pesticides.

2. **Cover Crops**: These are plants grown during off-seasons when main crops aren’t planted. Cover crops help prevent soil erosion, improve soil health, and suppress weeds naturally, reducing the need for herbicides.

3. **Soil Conservation**: Techniques like reduced tillage (minimizing how much the soil is disturbed) help maintain the soil structure, prevent erosion, and retain moisture.

4. **Efficient Water Use**: Sustainable farming often includes using water more efficiently through methods like drip irrigation, which targets water directly to the plant roots, reducing waste.

5. **Use of Non-GMO Seeds**: By using non-genetically modified seeds, sustainable farming supports natural biodiversity and avoids the potential environmental and health risks associated with GMOs.

6. **Integrated Pest Management (IPM)**: This approach uses a combination of methods—like natural predators, resistant plant varieties, and careful monitoring—to manage pests with minimal chemical use.

7. **Minimizing Chemical Use**: By reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, sustainable farming practices aim to lessen pollution and protect surrounding ecosystems.

Overall, sustainable farming practices are about balancing the need to grow food efficiently with the responsibility to protect the environment and preserve resources for the future.