Carve Up Your Support for PA Farmers in PA Preferred Pumpkin Carving Contest

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding invites Pennsylvanians to cultivate some good luck by carving out some time to support a Pennsylvania pumpkin farmer. Purchase a PA-grown pumpkin and show your creativity by entering the PA Preferred pumpkin contest, PA Pumpkin Palooza: Where Gourds Go Glam.

“Fall is not complete without a visit to a Pennsylvania pumpkin patch,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Enjoy a day with friends or family, then take home a pumpkin to paint or carve. Whatever your age or skill level – show us what you can do with a little creativity and the fruits of our farmers’ harvest.”

A panel of gourd-loving expert judges will pick winners in two categories – painted pumpkins and carved pumpkins. Winners in each category will be in three age groups, Child (11 and under), Youth (12 – 17), and Adult (18+).

Enter by emailing a photo of your creation, along with your name, age, Pennsylvania county, email address, phone number, and the PA farm where you purchased your pumpkin to agcontests@pa.gov.

Submissions will be accepted through Oct. 23, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Winners will be notified Oct. 31, 2023, and will receive a PA Preferred swag bag filled with Pennsylvania treats.

Photos of winning pumpkins and farms where they were picked will appear on PA Preferred’s Instagram account and the PA Department of Agriculture’s Facebook page.

Find more Pumpkin Contest information and complete contest rules at agriculture.pa.gov.