CLIMAX FARM FIELD GUIDE
Two Hours in the Patch: A Classroom Field Trip Through Whitaker Farms’ Pumpkin Program
A structured, two-hour school program at Whitaker Farms where students learn pumpkin life cycles, plant, meet barnyard animals and pick pumpkins—this guide explains what to expect and how to plan.
Two Hours in the Patch: A Classroom Field Trip Through Whitaker Farms’ Pumpkin Program.
At Whitaker Farms in Climax, North Carolina, the TEACHERS - Fall Pumpkin Patch Field Trip compresses hands-on agricultural lessons into an energetic two-hour visit: students learn about the life cycle of a pumpkin, plant seeds, choose a pumpkin to take home and enjoy a tractor-drawn wagon ride, with access to a barnyard petting area and playground.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Pick-Your-Own Pumpkins
Students handpick their own pumpkins to take home and decorate as part of an interpretive lesson on pumpkin cultivation and life cycles.
Tractor-Drawn Wagon Ride
A tractor-drawn wagon ride is included as part of the program, giving students a guided tour across the working farm between activities.
Planting Activity & Barnyard
The program pairs a hands-on planting experience with time in the barnyard petting zoo, letting children connect classroom lessons with living plants and animals.
What the day feels like
What the two-hour visit feels like
The tour flows as a sequence of structured, instructional activities: an interpretive introduction to pumpkin biology, a tractor-drawn wagon ride across the farm, hands-on planting, supervised pick-your-own pumpkin time, and visits to the barnyard and play areas—all designed to deliver curriculum-aligned lessons within a two-hour instructional window.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this program is built for and how to tell if it’s the right fit for your group.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The tour includes approximately two hours of instructional time.
Available Monday–Friday, Sept. 24 through Oct. 31, 2025.
Ask parents to buy tickets online a week prior to the visit, but no less than 48 hours in advance to ensure a seat on the wagon ride.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the field trip?
The tour includes approximately two hours of instructional time.
What grade levels is the program designed for?
The program is recommended for Preschool through 2nd grade.
When is the TEACHERS - Fall Pumpkin Patch Field Trip available?
Available Monday–Friday from Sept. 24th through Oct. 31st, 2025.
What activities are included?
Activities include a tractor-drawn wagon ride, a hands-on planting experience, pick-your-own pumpkin time, access to the kids zone playground and jump pillow, plus the barnyard petting area.
Do large schools need to make special arrangements?
For schools with more than 100 students, please call to reserve your date and time.
Do parents need to buy tickets in advance?
Yes—parents should buy tickets online a week prior to the visit, and no less than 48 hours in advance to ensure seats on the wagon ride.
Is there time for lunch and playground use?
The school will have time afterward for lunch and time on the playground; note that the Snack Shack and playground typically close at 1pm.