I didn’t grow up on a farm, but boy oh boy has Jake made a farmer out of me! Jake and I are the owners of Harward Farms Sweet Corn and Jaker’s Jack-O-Lanterns in Springville, Utah. We currently have 25 roadside stands along the Wasatch Front from Salt Lake City to Nephi.

I recognized a long time ago the need for people to know where their food comes from. I like to share our family farm story and what I’ve learned about agriculture whenever and wherever I get a chance.

For the past 14 years, I’ve been actively involved in the elementary schools in our area to teach the children about what a farmer looks like and what they do. We’ve hosted second graders on our farm at Utah County Farm Field Days since 2002. We are proud that Farm Field Days gives children the opportunity to see the value of agriculture in all our lives.

After spending many hours in our children’s school teaching about agriculture, Jake and I decided to start a summer farm camp for kids.  Little Hands on the Farm Camp started in June of 2013. Children come for three hours a day for one week. The children learn about farm animals, gardening, bugs, horses, and farm safety.  Utah’s Ag in the Classroom has been a great resource in developing her Farm Camp curriculum.

Jake and I love raising our family on the farm and we’re grateful for the experience our children have to see agriculture in action every day. We are excited that our Little Hands on the Farm Camp helps children get a chance to see agriculture up close and personal.

In 2006 Jake and I saw an opportunity to open a pick-your-own pumpkin patch and Jaker’s Jack-O-Lanterns was born. Jaker’s has grown from a you-pick pumpkin patch to a fun fall Ag-tivity for the whole family.

We live in an area that is deemed one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation.  Farm Field Days, Farm Camp, and Jaker’s Jack-O-Lanterns are ways for us to connect with the people in our community and surrounding area.

It also helps us carry on the Harward family farming legacy, which started in 1945, into the 5th and 6th generations.

For us, it’s all about sharing what we love about farming and connecting people to our way of life, our farm, and where their food comes from.