Hipkins poses with her pumpkin patch during the summer of 2024.
Grace Hipkins is a beekeeper turned pumpkin patch owner.
Although Hipkins admittedly “knew absolutely nothing about growing pumpkins” when she started her “Pumpkin Project,” the eighth grade Calamus-Wheatland FFA member is growing her operation. This fall, she plans to donate all her pumpkins to students at the local elementary school.
In the summer of 2024, Hipkins created the saying “pumpkin smash and sow” when she began to smash pumpkins at the end of their life and sow their seeds in the ground. Having never planted a single pumpkin before, Hipkins had no idea if this method would work. “We just winged it!” she said.
However, Hipkins’ first crop yielded more than 20 pumpkins, with the largest being around 20 pounds. Her pumpkin-growing project was inspired by her dad, who served in the U.S. Army and completed missions while deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Paying it Forward
The Hipkins family donates during the school’s annual winter coat and hat drives. Hipkins noticed that kids also needed ChapStick. As beekeepers, the Hipkins family clarifies their beeswax and makes ChapSticks and lip balms to give to elementary children.
During the fall months, Calamus-Wheatland FFA provides little pumpkins to certain grades, which is how Hipkins decided she would love to give something unique back to students.
“[I wanted to do] something they can take home that parents don’t have to buy, but brings the whole family joy,” she says.
In this first year, Hipkins planted Cinderella, lumina and polar bear pumpkins. She’s encountered a few challenges, but is hoping to expand to more varieties next year.
“Lumina and polar bear pumpkins took over the patch and it did not yield any Cinderella pumpkins, so I might need to separate varieties,” Hipkins said. “I’m learning each day.”
When asked what the hardest part of her project was, Hipkins said, “Waiting!” The main worry was if the recycling idea didn’t work, she was unsure what to do to make the harvest successful. However, after pumpkins appeared, she said, “Seeing your hard work pay off is an incredible feeling!”
After Halloween, Hipkins plans to ask local residents for their pumpkins to continue the project. Her goal is to donate a pumpkin to all 200 students and eventually expand to neighboring local communities. She will present the elementary school with a polar bear pumpkin soon and said, “I am excited to see their faces when I share the news with the staff!”
Hipkins’ mom, Julie, has watched her give back to the community as a former Girl Scout.
“It did not surprise me when she wanted to create a big project to support our community,” said Julie Hipkins. “I am filled with pride that she continues to reach for the stars to help others through acts of service!”
