Turn Halloween waste into next season's harvest!
Prairie Fruits Farm invites the community to participate in our inaugural Pumpkin Smashing & Collection event—a hands-on opportunity to support regenerative agriculture while responsibly disposing of your fall decorations.
How It Works
From Tuesday, November 5 through Sunday, November 9, drop off your pumpkins and gourds at our designated collection area off the main drive. On Sunday afternoon, join us to smash collected pumpkins, preparing them for our compost windrows and offering fresh treats to our goat herd.
Event Details
Collection Dates: Tuesday-Sunday, Nov 5-9 between 9am-4pm
Drop-off Location: Designated area off main drive (follow signs)
Smashing Event: Sunday, Nov 9, 2-4 PM
Cost: Free community event
What to Bring: Your energy and pumpkins ready for composting
The Environmental Impact
When pumpkins decompose in landfills without oxygen, they produce methane—a potent greenhouse gas. These decaying pumpkins also leach water that filters through waste and pollutes waterways.
By composting pumpkins at the farm, we're:
Reducing methane emissions
Adding beneficial organic matter to our soil
Demonstrating circular agriculture practices
Keeping organic waste out of landfills
Smashing pumpkins accelerates decomposition, allowing plant material to break down more efficiently and reducing compounds that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
Pumpkin Requirements
All pumpkins and gourds must be free of contaminants:
✗ No candles or wax
✗ No stickers or tape
✗ No glitter or paint
✗ No synthetic decorations
✓ Natural, undecorated pumpkins and gourds only
What Not to Do With Your Pumpkins
Do not leave them in forest preserves or roadside ditches
Do not feed them to wild animals
Do not dispose of decorated pumpkins in natural areas
Who Should Attend
This event welcomes all ages and abilities. Whether you're curious about composting, want to meet our goats, or simply need a responsible way to dispose of your pumpkins, we invite you to participate in this community effort.
Come ready to get your hands dirty and witness how a working farm transforms waste into resources for next season's growth.
Questions?
Contact us at
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