$2 Million a Year: How Kelly Schultz Turned Laughter Into Profit With His Pumpkin Farm
Kelly Schultz started his pumpkin farm in Clarence, New York, despite initial skepticism from others. Now known as The Great Pumpkin Farm, it generates $2 million annually and attracts over 100,000 visitors each fall with attractions like a corn maze, themed train rides, and pie-eating contests. Schultz's business is part of the growing Halloween economy in the U.S., which is projected to reach $13.5 billion by 2026 according to the National Retail Federation. The farm has grown significantly since its opening in 1996 after Schultz hosted a pumpkin weigh-off that put it on the map. The Great Pumpkin Farm continues to host annual events, including this year's record-breaking pumpkin weighing 1,908.5 pounds — nearly double the weight of the first winner in 1996.
Topics: agriculture entrepreneurship tourism