photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World
Several pumpkins from South Baldwin Farms on Friday, October 25, 2023.
The Halloween season may be drawing to a close, but there’s still time to get into the fall spirit at local farms and agricultural businesses.
From pumpkin patches to locally produced cider, these agricultural hubs are offering unique experiences that capture the essence of the season. Here’s a closer look:
South Baldwin Farms, 22 East 1700 Road
photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World
Co-owner of South Baldwin Farms Gabe Spurgeon stands between Pink Lady apple trees on Friday, October 25, 2024.
This farm maintains 70 acres and 100,000 fruit trees for wholesale as well as pick-your-own blackberries and pumpkins.
South Baldwin Farms is owned by Dave Miles and his son-in-law Gabe Spurgeon, who both have a passion for tree fruit and agriculture. Spurgeon, who previously had an education in engineering, grew up in southwest Missouri working many summers in a peach orchard.
Spurgeon told the Journal-World that during the fall season he looks forward to the apple harvest. The current apple varieties include Evercrisp, Suncrisp, Autumncrisp, Granny Smith, Cameo, Braeburn, Pink Lady, Ludacrisp, Fuji and Baldwin.
“It’s a lot of work and long hours,” Spurgeon said. “We’re working seven days a week right now, but it’s like the whole year comes to fruition, pardon the pun.”
He said the farm is expected to have more apples over the next five years after trees that were planted in 2020 are beginning to bear fruit for the first time.
The farm’s store and pumpkin patch – which has between 25 and 35 different varieties of pumpkins – will have its last open weekend from November 1 to 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. All of the pumpkins and gourds are grown on the farm and the market sells apples, apple cider, sparkling cider and fresh vegetables.
Z&M Twisted Vines Winery and Vineyard, 24305 Loring Road
photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World
Owners of Z&M Twisted Vineyard Bryan Zesiger and Gina Montalbano stand in the vineyard’s tasting room on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
All of the vineyard’s wines are locally grown, sourced from the vineyard’s 30 acres of grapevines and bottled on location.
The vineyard is owned by Bryan Zesiger and Gina Montalbano, who both share a love for wine and the community. The location offers varying types of specialty wines, including their Blackhawk Blackberry wine, a Hellfire jalapeño wine, and Blacked Out Coffee Wines. Montalbano also added that the tasting room offers eight flavors of ciders, which can also be canned and taken home.
Z&M’s Lawrence location on 24305 Loring Road provides tours featuring their wine cellar production, tasting room, wine hanger harvest center and the grapevines. There is also a fishing lake, fire pits, outdoor pavilion and historic barn.
On Halloween, the vineyard will be hosting a candle making workshop where attendees can craft two unique candles and get one beverage for $45 plus tax. The event will be held at the Lawrence location at 7 p.m.
Additionally, there will be a 5k Vineyard Run/Jog/Walk – known as the Vineyard Turkey Trot – at the Lawrence location on Nov. 2 at 10 a.m. There is an entry fee of $25, and all proceeds will be donated to Midland Care on Wheels; a Turkey Trot T-shirt is included in the ticket price. Check-in will be at 9 a.m. and the event starts at 10 a.m. Halloween costumes are encouraged, and the three best costumes will win a ham.
A few more opportunities
* Downtown Lawrence Inc. and its partner businesses will be hosting a Trick or Treat event at 5 p.m. on Oct. 31. Community members are welcome to join on the streets of downtown Lawrence as participating businesses hand out treats.
* Trivedi Wine, 1826 East 1150 Road, will be hosting live music from Sugarfoot Detour on Nov. 2 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Ragusa’s Italian Cafe will be the food truck joining the winery that afternoon. Wine, beer and cider will be available for purchase.
* Meuschke Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze, 11722 246th St., still has a large variety of pumpkins available to carve and for decoration.
* Pendleton’s Country Market, 1446 East 1850 Road, has 50% off of pumpkins this week.