Entrepreneurship: Pumpkin Farm

May 2008

The fertile river bottoms of the Mississippi River Hills Region which encompass Perryville provide a prime entrepreneurship opportunity for farmers. Jarod Koenig has watched his family harvest crops from these fields since he was very young. Jarod has taken the idea and run with it. Seven years ago Jarod began selling small pumpkins from his front yard. Now his business attracts scores of tourists who can choose among activities including wagon tours, straw tunnels, and picking their own pumpkin fresh off the vine.

Pumpkin growing is not a year-round occupation for Jarod. He sows in June on seven acres of land and cares for the plants throughout the summer. He uses a corn planter to deposit seeds in the ground. During this time, onlookers might catch the curious sight of Jarod riding on the back of the planter to hand sow specialty gourds, too small in number for standard planter use.

Almost all Jarod’s business is conducted during the harvest months of September and October. During those months Jarod sets up his family’s lawn with a colorful display of pumpkins for people to quickly purchase and a play area for kids.

Selling pumpkins was an idea that was passed to Jarod by his family. Besides the tradition of growing crops, his older brother, now in college, began selling pumpkins several years ago. Much of his entrepreneurship knowledge, however, has come through experience and customer feedback. Over time, Jarod has learned proper pricing and advertising methods. Starting off with a few spare pumpkins selling for a dollar or two apiece, Jarod has grown an operation that produces an income that exceeds what he makes in his part-time job. His advertising methods include signs, newspaper ads, flyers, and even a radio spot. These techniques have been added gradually each year and have helped his business proliferate.

4-H has had a large influence on Jarod’s life and business who has been involved in 4-H since he was a Clover Kid. Now he is the president of his 4-H club, Teen Council club, and member of the State 4-H Council, in addition to other honors. 4-H has provided him opportunities to travel and attend National 4-H Congress. From these experiences and various 4-H projects, Jarod has learned valuable life lessons, as well as entrepreneurial skills.

His mother is a 4-H Youth Program Assistant and has helped introduce him to many of the benefits that 4-H has to offer. Jarod also credits Extension specialist Frank Wideman for teaching him to organize and produce various media materials with computers.

Much like his entrepreneurial venture, Jarod says his 4-H projects allow him to experiment and learn from experience. “Best thing about 4-H is the opportunities it gives you, things I never thought I’d have the chance to do."

Do you know a 4-H young entrepreneur?  Send profile ideas to Adam Loftin, 4-H Center for Youth Development, at 573/884-7929 or acl7f4@mizzou.edu.