Generations gather at Schaefer and Collins’ Pumpkin Patch
MAYFLOWER, ARK. – Every year, students are faced with decisions like picking the perfect pumpkin or finding their favorite fall snack, but at the Schaefers and Collins Pumpkin Patch, they always have plenty of options to choose from.
For more than two decades, the Schaefer and Collins’ Pumpkin Patch has been bringing families, students and friends together to learn, connect and have fun.
When Bob and Pat Schaefer moved to rural Arkansas in the 1970s, they purchased about 900 acres on the outskirts of Mayflower to start a family row-crop and cattle operation. What began as a livelihood soon evolved into something much greater, a way to bring joy and opportunity to their community.
In 1997, the Schaefer family opened the first version of Schaefer and Collins’ Pumpkin Patch, inviting the public onto their farm to connect local youth programs and school districts with agriculture and outdoor learning.
“When we first started trying to do the pumpkins, it was just a trial-and-error thing,” said Lisa Schaefer, the current owner and operator. “The first year, I can remember we did 50 kids, and we thought we were really doing something.”
Little did the Schaefers know that their small idea would blossom into a community tradition that continues to impact generations of students and families.
Over the years, the pumpkin patch has become a hallmark of fall in Central Arkansas. Each season, school buses, families and church groups roll down the gravel drive, greeted by rows of pumpkins and many sights of farm life. For many children, it’s their first time visiting a working farm and the experience leaves a lasting impression.
Karisa Hudnall, a former first-grade teacher at Mayflower Elementary School, still fondly remembers those field trips.
“It was the best day of the year,” she said. “Everyone was happy.”
Students picked their own pumpkins, played on the farm playgrounds and learned through hands-on experiences. Beyond the laughter and hayrides, the visit taught lessons about agriculture, nature and the value of community.
“Opportunities like these are good for students to gain real-life experiences,” Hudnall added. “Lots of kids don’t get to experience trips like these.”
For families across Central Arkansas, visiting the pumpkin patch has become a cherished fall tradition. The smell of fresh Cozy’s corndogs, the hum of local vendors and the sound of kids on the hayrides mark the start of the season.
“It is tradition to load up and take the family,” said Wendy Moore, the president of the Mayflower Chamber of Commerce.
But the Schaefers have always believed that everyone should have the chance to enjoy it. Admission, parking and the petting zoo are completely free. This serves as a reflection of their commitment to keeping the experience accessible to all.
“We try to stay reasonable so that all families can come out and join us,” Lisa said.
The focus on community over profit is what sets the pumpkin patch apart. The farm continues to thrive as a gathering place for school field trips, church outings, birthday parties and anyone looking to experience a bit of rural Arkansas charm.
Beyond the hayrides and family fun, it’s the sense of connection that keeps people coming back.
“It’s a reunion,” Moore said. “You will always run into people you know and have not seen in a while.”
Running the operation, however, takes more than tradition. It takes dedication. Lisa and her husband, Darryl, along with their two sons, Daniel and Andy, work side by side to prepare the farm for visitors each year.
“We put in from daylight to dark, way before we open up, from the end of May till the first part of November,” Lisa said.
When pumpkin season ends, the family turns their focus to their other agricultural ventures. The Schaefer and Collins Produce Stand has become a local favorite during the spring and summer months. From tomatoes and okra to sweet corn, deer corn and several varieties of peas, the stand offers locally sourced produce that keeps the community coming back season after season.
“I cannot grow enough purple-hulled peas in the spring,” Lisa said with a laugh.
The produce stand not only sustains the farm during the off-season but also provides jobs and opportunities for local youth, another example of the family’s lasting investment in their hometown.
“They employ so many local kids and adults,” Moore said. “And they are always there to help.”
That commitment defines the Schaefers and the Collinses as hardworking families whose dedication and generosity have made them cornerstones of the Mayflower community.
“They support the town, and the town always looks forward to supporting them,” Moore said.
As the sun sets over the pumpkin patch each fall, rows of orange pumpkins glow against the fading light, a reflection of decades of hard work, family pride and community spirit. What started as a simple idea in a Mayflower field has grown into a living legacy, one that continues to bring people together year after year.
“The pride in farming and family is always at the forefront for the Schaefers. They’ve been in the same area as long as I’ve been alive, and they are amazing people,” Moore said.
And for the Schaefers, its not just about picking the perfect pumpkin, it’s about opening their farm, and their hearts, to anyone who wants to be part of the tradition.
