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The 130 acre working farm has been in our family for over 80 years. Jeff Pooley and his brother Greg have farmed this land under the watchful eye of their father Paul Pooley and Grandfather Hans Neumeyer. Until 2001, Pooley Farms raised corn and soybean crops in addition to their purebred Limousin cattle operation. (Notice the spelling, the car ends with an “E”, the cattle breed drops the “E”.) As with all farms, change is inevitable. Jeff, Greg and their father decided to cash rent the farm ground and keep the cattle and hay operation. Pooley Farms won Limousin Commercial Cattle Producer of the Year in 2003. As Elizabeth watched the farming operation change, she knew that she and her husband Jeff were headed for regular 8-5 jobs in the city. Wanting to continue her life on the farm, Elizabeth proposed opening a pumpkin patch to her husband in 2001. Jeff was hesitant and said no. One year later she told her husband she would like to open a cafe’. When her husband realized how many hours were involved off the farm to run a restaurant, he decided to say yes to the pumpkin patch idea instead. After 3 years of contemplating, Jeff said yes in February 2004 and Pooley’s Pumpkin Patch was open for business by September 28, of that same year. Today they still raise the purebred Limosin cattle in addition to pigs, ducks, horses, chickens, kittens and kids, and of course, PUMPKINS. Pooley’s Pumpkin Patch is the authentic farm experience that many seek today. You might catch the combines harvesting crops, or a bottle fed calf in the barn. Madison and Jack still have their chores to do after school and sometimes the dog “Fly” will bark at the kittens until your ears hurt. They love their farm and hope you’ll join them for some shared laughter and down right good cocoa. It’s not fancy, but it’s FUN!
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