Hanson’s Hollow retires pumpkin patch after 25 years

Hanson’s Hollow near La Porte City has retired from the pumpkin business after 25 years, according to the family’s public announcements.

In a June 23 post, the Hanson family said it had not planted pumpkins that year for the first time in 25 years. The patch began as a way to teach its children about work and saving for college. With the youngest headed to college this fall, the family said that chapter had closed.

A September post described the family as retired from the pumpkin business. The family’s earlier announcement left open the possibility that a later generation could revive the tradition.

The announcement concerns the pumpkin operation; it does not establish that the entire property or every other activity is permanently closed.