The Californian whose pumpkin patch dream took root in Scotland
Summary
Cameron Laird brought pumpkin-picking to her husband’s farm in Fife nearly three decades ago, inspired by the pumpkin farms she remembered from California. Cairnie Fruit Farm now grows nearly 20,000 pumpkins a year, and pumpkin patches have become a way for Scottish farms to attract visitors and earn income in autumn.Key Facts
- Cairnie Fruit Farm near Cupar grew 232 pumpkins in its first year and now grows close to 20,000 annually.
- The farm expects more than 18,500 pumpkin-picking visitors this year.
- The pumpkin patch adds autumn income and helps lift annual pick-your-own visits at Cairnie above 105,000.
- The farm plans to expand its pumpkin patch by one acre, with room for about 5,000 additional pumpkins.
- Cameron Laird had no farming background before joining her husband John’s family business.
- Farmers across Scotland are opening pumpkin patches as a way to diversify and draw visitors after other crops are harvested.
- Mike King started a pumpkin patch at his cattle and grain farm near Kinross as a hobby; he says it has also proved financially useful.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
