Pumpkin production rises ahead of weather-challenged harvest

In 2025, Illinois pumpkin production rose to about 533 million pounds, up from 485 million in 2024, with 14,800 acres under cultivation. While late frost affected some apple crops, growers reported strong pumpkin yields. However, Southfork Homestead faced losses due to flooding. Many pumpkin farms, like Dittmar Farms, draw tourists from Dubuque and Chicago. Although diesel costs were a concern, they had minimal overall impact on pumpkin production.

Jim Talamonti is the original author of this article – retrieved from Newswire

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