After losing much of their apple, peach and other fruit crops, farms are counting on fall festivals, pumpkin picking and other seasonal attractions to help offset losses.
- Katie Knol/WITF
At Risser Marvel Farm Market in Palmyra, cars start pulling in as soon as the open sign turns on. The corn maze and pick-your-own pumpkin patch aren’t open yet, but customers browse piles of pumpkins ready for sale.
Later in the day, families will arrive to explore the America250-themed corn maze and play the outdoor games.
These agricultural businesses always rely on seasonal fall activities for income, but it’s especially important this year after a late spring freeze ruined many fruit crops in the midstate. Penn State previously estimated losses of 70% to 90% across specialty crops, with damages totaling up to $200 million statewide…