HOOPER, Utah — While many costs have risen, the Hooper Pick UR Pumpkin patch at 5151 S 6700 W has maintained a steady price for its pumpkins for the past 16 years. Visitors can select and carry as many pumpkins as they can for five dollars.
Alan Spaulding, a fifth-generation farmer with 20 years of experience growing pumpkins, established the current pricing model. "Originally when we started it was two dollars an armful, and then four into it we decided bump it up to five dollars and it’s been that way ever since,” Spaulding stated. This consistent price offers a rare value for local families seeking autumn festivities.
The 'Pick UR Pumpkin' experience is distinctive because it allows visitors to choose their pumpkins directly from the field. Spaulding expressed his satisfaction in sharing his passion, noting, "They get to come out and see what I love doing and what put part of the smile on my face.” He is deeply involved in agriculture, not only as a farmer but also as an educator, teaching high school students about the subject.
This year, Alan's son, Alex Spaulding, assisted with the patch operations. Alex highlighted the joy of seeing customers' reactions: “It’s nice to see their eyes light up when they have the pumpkin they want.” The process often feels like a treasure hunt for families, according to Kamy Beutler, who visited with her husband and son. Her family collected approximately 17 pumpkins during their visit to the Spaulding patch.
Beutler appreciates the personalized experience of selecting pumpkins directly from the field. She said she finds it "more fun to like find your own personal pumpkin versus something that looks all the same in the store." She also noted the significant cost savings compared to grocery store prices for multiple pumpkins, adding, "I think it’s great that we can come and get a bunch of pumpkins for a good deal.” Alan Spaulding observes the unique enjoyment of his customers during this process, remarking that people "smile, they giggle, they laugh, they find unique ways to carry pumpkins out.”
Despite what Spaulding described as "rollercoaster weather" this year, he managed to cultivate a successful pumpkin crop. This stands in contrast to some other growers in the region. Ryan Schmidt, with Schmidt's Farm and Greenhouse in West Jordan, explained that some farms in the Salt Lake Valley and further south faced significant challenges this season. Schmidt attributed these difficulties to factors such as "partly heat stress. Partly pathogens, the virus, bacteria that affected some of those vines that caused them to die because they were healthy, and then they just started to yellow off and die.”
Alan Spaulding hopes that by picking their own pumpkins, visitors gain a genuine understanding of farm life. He concluded, "It brings me joy and they get to share what I love.” The Hooper Pick UR Pumpkin patch continues to offer a community-focused experience rooted in agricultural tradition.
