As Halloween wraps up, some farms and communities in southwestern Ontario are urging folks to keep their pumpkins out of the garbage.
The Great Pumpkin Rescue is a volunteer group based in Oxford County that offers ideas for repurposing pumpkins, like using them in recipes, donating them, or composting.
“There are, quite frankly, benefits to the community when you find a locale [that’s] going to take them,” said volunteer Bryan Smith. “Southwestern Ontario will grow as farmers grow more food and sell that locally, which is good for us more broadly … because it’s stimulating the local economy.”
This effort to repurpose pumpkins began over ten years ago at Northlane Farm in Thamesford, Ont., which still collects pumpkins for its farming needs today.
Currently, the Great Pumpkin Rescue group puts together an annual list of farms that will accept pumpkins, squash, and gourds during the first week of November.
“There are quite a number of extremely happy goats, pigs and chickens who just love to eat them,” Smith said. “We want them to be turned into something that feeds farm animals.”
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Beaumont Acres in London, Ont., is one of several farms in southwestern Ontario accepting leftover pumpkins as Halloween comes to an end. CBC’s Kendra Seguin talks with owner Justine Beaumont about how these donations help local farms and their animals.
Beaumont Acres has been taking in pumpkins from locals every fall since it opened six years ago. Founder Justine Beaumont estimates they have already received close to 100 pumpkins and gourds this year.
“Our animals love pumpkins and they’re also great for them. They are great for their gut health and great for their skin,” Beaumont said.
At Beaumont Acres, there are nearly 30 rescue animals and retired work animals including horses, pigs, ducks and a cow.
“Our cow, Trixie, loves pumpkins. She’ll come running across the field for them,” she said.
Trixie the cow is one of the many animals at Beaumont Acres in London, Ont., that enjoys eating pumpkins. (Kendra Seguin/)
Beaumont noted that each animal prefers different parts of the pumpkin: horses like the seeds; ducks and chickens enjoy the gooey insides; while pigs eat everything.
“Our pigs also love to play with the pumpkins. They find it very stimulating. They’ll roll them around and play with them like they’re a ball,” Beaumont said. “It’s a lot of fun to watch.”
No paint or candles allowed
Before deciding where to take your pumpkins, it’s important to check their condition according to Smith who mentioned any uncarved ones can be used for homemade meals.
If you’re planning on taking your leftovers to local animal farms, make sure they’re clean and good quality. Pumpkins shouldn’t have any paint or unsafe materials like metal or wax on-or inside-them,” he advised.
Beaumont stated it’s okay if some pumps arrive a little squishy but asks people not bring anything that’s moldy.”
At Beaumont Acres in London , Ont., Cupcake , the pig enjoys agourdand pieceof pumpkinthat nearby residents donatedto thefarm.( Kendra Seguin/)
Better optionsfor moldyand brokenpumpkin include sendingthemtofarmswith adigester,”Smithsaid , “whichbreaksdownorganicmaterialstoproduceenergy.”
Putpumpkinsinmunicipalgreenbins h2 >
It’snotjust farmersdoingthework. p >
Some municipalitiesare makingit easierforresidentswho wanttogivepumpkinsasecondlife. p >
The Cityof Woodstockis invitingpeopleto bringtheirpumpkinsto th ecity’s Enviro Depot , where staffwillhelp sortanddistributethem intothecommunity. P >Meanwhile , Tillsonburgis acceptingpumpkinatthe Tillsonburg Transfer Station , whichwillbe repurposedforcommunitymealsand livestock. Italso invitesloc als toc ome take t he collectedpumpkinsforanyoftheir ownneeds. p >Both municipalitiesare askingthat pumpk inks ar efreefrompaint , rot, rust, wax, m etal, p lasticands harps. p >Residentsin London , Ont., canputunpaintedpumpkinsdirectlyintotheircitygreen bin.(Michelle Both/CBC)
Another optionisfor residentsto puttheir leftoverpumpkinstointhegreenbin ,” Smithsaid.
The Cityof Londonrecommendscuttingpu mp kinsintosmall erpiecesbeforeaddingthem tothegreenbinoryardwastebags. Residentscanalsoplace t hem directlynexttothe greenbinduringthefirstweekofcollectionfollowing Halloween.
If pumkpinsar e paintedorotherwise donotmeetthesaf ecriteria , theymustgo intothegarbage, thecitywebsite says.
Where elsecan youtake pum kp ins ?The Great Pumpkin Rescuehasalistofotherlocationswherepe oplecandropoffpu mp kins untiltheendoftheweek :
Little Fields Farm ,867207 Township Rd10, Bright, O nt. Breezy Maple Lane Farm ,806090Oxford Road29, I nnerkip, O nt. Kiwanis’ Community Garden ,108Wonham St. South, I ngersoll, O nt. Nieuw Family Farm ,4566Kelvin Rd, Sco tland, O nt. The Smith ’s70Glenn Avenue, Sweaburg, South-West Oxf ord, O nt. Milky Way Farms484872Sweaburg Rd, Woodstock, O nt. Little Hobby Hill Farm333624Plank Line, Salf ord, O nt. Jonand Vicki Seibring ’ s Good Nature Eco F arm13514813th Line, T ham esf ord, O nt. Matt Mc Cuttchena nd Sam Boyce’Northlane Fa rm662742Road66Thamesford, O nt. Lara Martin-Dowan d Stephen Dow, Rolling Stone Boers37515837th Line Zorra Township, O nt.
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