The Pink Pumpkin Project wrapped up a successful season this October, beginning with a ribbon cutting on October 1 and continuing through eight popular pick-your-own nights at the patch. The project raised funds to support breast cancer awareness efforts and improvements to the rehabilitation center at HaysMed.
What started as an idea quickly grew into something much bigger. Months of planning went into selecting seeds, determining plant spacing, and managing the crop from planting through harvest. Throughout the season, I worked alongside volunteers to monitor plant health, scout for squash bugs, and ensure any necessary pest management was timed carefully to protect pollinators.
The project also became a hub for community engagement. Families enjoyed Story Time at the Patch, Scouts participated in pumpkin decorating activities during Scout-O-Ween, and local schools partnered with the project for fundraising opportunities. As the season came to a close, efforts continued to find homes for excess pumpkins, including partnering with Feeding Hays to help provide food for community members.
Perhaps the most rewarding part of the project was watching the community embrace it. At the beginning of the season, we had no way of knowing how many pumpkins the patch would produce. By harvest time, the patch had exceeded expectations, producing far more pumpkins than anticipated and drawing strong community support throughout the season.
The Pink Pumpkin Project truly took a village. The dedication of volunteers, committee members, community partners, and supporters made its success possible. From the first seed planted to the final harvest event, it has been incredibly rewarding to watch this idea come to fruition, quite literally. I am proud to have played a role in the project and grateful to everyone who spent time caring for the patch, harvesting pumpkins, spreading awareness, attending events, or supporting the effort in any way. Every contribution, big or small, helped make a difference.
Thank you for making the Pink Pumpkin Project such a success. We hope to see you back at the patch next year, and until then, have a wonderful fall season!
Miranda Huston
Horticulture
Pink Pumpkin Project