South Dakota family turns farm into pumpkin patch, fall activity destination for families
If you’re looking for a new fall family destination outside of Sioux Falls, you’re in luck.
Brooke and Lane Mellegaard, along with their three children, Melie, Berklie and Kase, decided to convert the Mellegaard family farm near Parker, South Dakota, into a fall adventure land for kids and families.
"Our Farm," as they call it, features a pumpkin patch, corn maze, petting zoo and much more.
“The kids and Lane always said, ‘Let’s go to our farm, let’s go to our farm.’ So we thought, ‘Let’s just call it Our Farm,’” Brooke Mellegaard said. “And we always say, our farm is your farm.”
More: From apple orchards to pumpkin patches, here’s your guide to fall activities around Sioux Falls
Lane Mellegaard grew up on the 320-acre family farm at 27253 455th Avenue, Parker, where his mother still lives. For the past four or five years, Lane and the kids have planted a small pumpkin patch to sell pumpkins out of the back of a truck.
“As it got bigger and bigger, (Lane) thought we might as well take the plunge and try something new this year,” Brooke Mellegaard said.
So, they planted 10,000 pumpkin seeds by hand, which included 95 varieties of pumpkins and gourds.
They also created a six-acre corn maze, corn pit, hay bale mountain, gourd launching station and peddle track. The petting zoo features farm animals like Kunekune pigs, baby goats, ducklings, rabbits, kittens and chickens.
The concessions will include “kid-loving foods,” Brooke said, like chips, candy, freeze pops and ice cream bars, as well as bottled pop and water.
“Really, we just saw a need out that direction for an affordable fall family destination,” Brooke said. “With three small children, we know how expensive things can get. And our kids absolutely love it.”
Although Our Farm is geared more toward the younger kids, Brooke said teenagers visited the farm during the opening weekend over Labor Day and had fun.
“Even the parents are using the slides and the gourd launcher and the corn maze,” Brooke added. “So I think parents are having just as much fun as the kids.”
More: Five things to do in Sioux Falls this weekend: Germanfest, Sidewalk Arts Festival and more
She noted that since it's a real farm, people should expect to get dirty and come wearing the appropriate clothing.
Admission for all activities is $10 for kids and $5 for adults. Gourd launchers are priced at $5 for 10 launches or $1 for one.
There is no entrance fee to pick up pumpkins. The prices for pumpkins and gourds range from $1 to $10.
Our Farm also offers to host field trips, group activities and birthday parties. The first two weeks of October are already filling up with bookings from school and church groups, Brooke said, so those interested should reach out as soon as possible.
More: Wahlburgers opening second Sioux Falls location at Hy-Vee Sycamore September 27
“We just really wanted a place for people and families to go enjoy and make memories,” Brooke said. “And our goal is to keep doing that year after year.”
People can follow along with the festivities on the Our Farm, SD Facebook page.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota family farm turns into fall destination for families
