A nice harvest at The Patch in Kentucky.
There is something timeless about the phrase “Sows and Plows.” It paints that classic countryside picture: golden fields, the hum of a tractor and the smell of freshly turned soil.
But for those of us who have laced up our muddy boots before sunrise, we know it is more than that; it is heart, heritage and a whole lot of hustle. Agriculture is not just out there in the fields; it is woven into every season, every celebration and every slice of pie cooling on grandma’s counter. As we move from crisp October mornings into twinkling December nights, agriculture keeps the holidays buzzing.
Pumpkins: The Signature of Autumn
According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, farmers harvested nearly $274 million worth of the bright orange symbol of fall, the one flavor that defines the season: pumpkins. From coffee shops to front porches, pumpkins are everywhere once autumn rolls in.
As the air cools and the leaves begin to turn, pumpkin patches across America burst with life, welcoming families to pick, carve and celebrate the harvest season. Gina Rose, owner of The Patch in Jeffersonville, Ky., graciously shared a photo (see above and below) that captures the charm of fall and the growing agritourism that continues to draw families to her beloved pumpkin patch.
The Patch, which is located in Jeffersonville, Ky.
The Thanksgiving Table and Its Farmers
As the leaves fall and families begin planning their holiday meals, the centerpiece of many American tables becomes the Thanksgiving turkey. Americans traditionally consume around 45-46 million turkeys each Thanksgiving, according to estimates from the USDA and the National Turkey Federation. These birds do not appear by accident; they exist because poultry producers dedicate long hours and constant care to support one of the most enduring holiday traditions in the country.
Evergreens: Symbols of Christmas Spirit
Then, as autumn gives way to the snowy season, evergreens rise into focus. Tall, fragrant and unmistakably festive, these trees signal the arrival of Christmas. The United States grows millions of real Christmas trees each year, with production spread across farms in nearly every state (USDA ERS). Industry organizations, including the National Christmas Tree Association, estimate that Americans purchase 25-30 million real Christmas trees annually.
From Oregon and North Carolina, to Michigan and Pennsylvania, farmers plant, prune and carefully shape each tree for nearly a decade before it ever reaches a family’s living room. It is a process that requires patience, skill and deep respect for the land.
Author Delainey Haddix at Kovalic’s Christmas Tree Farm.
Evergreen Christmas tree farms are more than a business; they are a tradition rooted in community. These farms preserve rural landscapes, support local economies, and give families a chance to wander through fragrant rows in search of the perfect tree. Every ornament hung and every string of lights wrapped around a branch is the final step in a journey that began years earlier with the hands of a farmer.
