Dateline: October 4, 2007

Local pumpkins going to market 

Donley County pumpkins are making their way into markets and homes around the Panhandle now that fall harvest time is underway.

George Howard of Howard Farms says rains and temperatures this year have helped this year’s crop.

“We’re producing between 25,000 and 30,000 pounds per acre,” Howard said. “At the farm (north of Lelia Lake), it’s just solid pumpkins. You could walk all the way across the field and never touch the ground.”

This season marks the opening of the Howards’ new facility about two miles east of Clarendon on US 287, where they sell their locally grown produce.

The Howards grow five varieties of jack-o-lantern pumpkins, eight varieties of other pumpkins for eating or decorating, five varieties of gourds, and ten varieties of squash.

“Most of the stuff we sell are for decorating,” Howard said.

Donny Howard, George’s son, heads the operation and has been farming since 2001. Before that, he sold produce from other farms.

Today, the Howards sell their produce at three lots in Amarillo, one lot in Pampa, and in 21 Wal-Mart stores in the Panhandle and South Plains.

In addition to their own produce, the Howards also sell hay bales, mini-hay bales, cornstalk bundles, chili restras, and salted or roasted peanuts.