After many years of welcoming the general public to their land, the Shantz Household Farm in Petersburg is in its last yr of promoting pumpkins to the general public.
“It’s been a great run for us. This is our 28th year and it’s the last year that my wife and I will be in charge. Who knows what the future holds at this present time. It’s not really practical for our children to take over, but maybe they will. We’re going to stay here,” stated Kevin Shantz, co-owner of Shantz Household Farm.
Since 1870, the Shantz household has owned the farmland on Bleams Street. It’s at present owned by Kevin and his spouse Angela Shantz.
“I was ready to be done a few years ago, but Kevin decided this year, which was kind of nice. So, I’m looking forward to it. I love the fall season and I’m looking forward to enjoying the fall away from here,” stated Angela Shantz, co-owner of Shantz Household Farm.
Kevin began engaged on the farm when he was 14, shifting in at 20 to run what was the dairy operation at 23, which he and Angela operated for 20 years. However steady upkeep and improve prices pressured them to modify to money crops.
The Shantz Household Farm in Petersburg, Ont. on Oct. 9, 2024. (Colton Wiens/)
“I was being required to make improvements to the manure system, the water usage and the buildings to maintain the dairy herd for 75 cows,” Kevin Shantz stated.
With solely 170 acres for money crops, he wanted a specialty crop, so that they began rising pumpkins.
Kevin Shantz holds up a pumpkin at his farm on Oct. 9, 2024. (Colton Wiens/)
“You need a specialty crop like pumpkins or sweet corn to make more per acre and we have the population here and they support us,” stated Kevin Shantz.
Since opening the pumpkin patch to the general public, the farm has additionally provided college excursions, a petting zoo, a corn maze and wagon rides. However the associated fee to supply the expertise, provides up.
“The insurance company makes a lot of money for my corn maze. For liability, if people trip and fall over the pumpkin vines. It takes a big chunk of the profits,” Kevin Shantz stated.
Realizing this was the final yr of pumpkins, Kevin lowered the world he was rising in, however mom nature had different concepts.
“I thought: ‘Oh, I’ll cut my acreage to 25 acres last year, down to nine acres this year.’ Well, we’ve got like 25 acres of yield. It was a fantastic year for the pumpkins. We had more than adequate rain through July and August and it’s a fantastic crop,” Kevin Shantz stated. “It was a good way to go out. Or can I just cut my acres and keep on going? Yeah, it’s mixed feelings about it, but obviously it’s nice to go out on a high.”
Pumpkins on the Shantz Household Farm in Petersburg, Ont. (Colton Wiens/)
For 28 years, Kevin has additionally held one other full-time job as a dairy tester. It was a job he saved doing out of necessity at first.
However because the household saved rising, Kevin stated he continued his different full-time work so as to assist give the entire household a superb life. He plans to proceed working as a dairy tester for one more three years.
“The benefits from a full-time job for eye and dental are huge. As a farmer, you pay for your own benefits and you pay a lot. So that really worked well for a growing family,” he stated.
Whereas all eight children have jobs outdoors of agriculture, the children have been at all times concerned with the farm rising up.
“I think we’ve built up a good work ethic with growing up here,” stated Emily Wark, the oldest daughter of Kevin and Angela.
Dana Scarfone along with her children on the Shantz Household Farm on Oct. 9, 2024. (Colton Wiens/)
Kevin stated the children are nonetheless tied to the farm. A number of have been married on the property, his son nonetheless lives there, and one daughter lives proper subsequent door.
“It’s sad for now, but I know we have stuff in store for the future and we’re just figuring it out. So, it’s still exciting and exciting for my parents on their retirement,” stated Holly Shantz, the youngest daughter of Kevin and Angela.
Photographs on the Shantz Household Farm in Petersburg, Ont. (Colton Wiens/)
Whereas Kevin and Angela step away from pumpkins, the household isn’t positive what the long run will seem like.
“As far as I know, it’s going to stay in the family name, but who knows what the Region of Waterloo will do to us in the future,” Kevin Shantz stated.
