GREENFIELD – There’s something special about seeing families come to Tuttle Orchards every fall, says Ruth Ann Roney, just like they have throughout the 95-year history of the family farm.
Apple picking at the farm opens today, Aug. 25. Several other businesses focused on agritourism will also soon be welcoming families from across the region with favorite fall traditions from hay rides to festive foods to pumpkin picking.
Roney, the general manager of Tuttle’s, said the site that offers a tractor-themed playground, corn maze, sunflower maze, flower picking, a store and more is a family favorite.
“It’s always fun to have the families, especially when they say, ‘Oh, I came here with my grandparents,” Roney said, adding that the family connections even stretch to seasonal employees. “There’s a lot of people who came on a kindergarten field trip and now they’re 16 and coming here for their very first job.”
New this year is a grill open six days a week, in addition to the traditional sweet shop offering homemade goods. Combination passes are also available for select days and experiences, and fall events like build-your-own caramel apples will return Sept. 9 and Sept. 16.
Apple picking is also happening just south of New Palestine at Pleasant View Orchard. Owners Adria and Jeff Kemper said more varieties will become available throughout September and fresh cider will be available around Labor Day.
“It’s a fun, family friendly environment and it’s a fun place to work and for people to come with their families and just experience the outdoors, it’s kind of just a getaway from everyday life,” Adria Kemper said.
The playground and wagon rides are free at the orchard, which also offers a store full of products and a cafe featuring warm, homemade sweets. They also have free events: a Silly Safaris animal show is Sept. 2 and Oct. 28, and live music or wine tasting is on site every Saturday.
There are also two local businesses that offer pumpkin picking and kids activities, from playgrounds to bounce pads to train rides.
Piney Acres, located near Fortville, is open Sept. 23 through Oct. 30 with corn mazes – one for kids and one for adults who want more of a challenge; animals, a gem mine, playgrounds and more. A fall preview night is open to anybody starting at 5 p.m. Sept. 22, with all the features of the farm plus back-to-back fall movies.
Coming in October is Piney Acres Scream Farm, with three haunted attractions across 70 acres.
Cassondra Jones, assistant office and farm manager, said since Piney Acres is family-operated by the Rex Zenor family, it’s important to them to keep families coming back together to enjoy the festivities.
“One thing I love about Piney Acres is, it’s a family-owned farm so they definitely have the family attributes and what it means to enjoy fall and Christmas activities with families,” she said. “One of my favorite things is definitely going out and seeing Rex and how much he cares about his farm and how much his family cares about the farm.”
Lark Ranch in Greenfield opens for the season Sept. 23 and will be open Saturdays and Sundays, as well as Columbus Day and occasional Fridays in October.
Lark Ranch is one of three fall farm businesses owned by the Lark family: it opened in Greenfield roughly 15 years ago because the Lark family has farmed in the area for years, said Adam Lark, owner/operator. His grandma Lenore Lark enjoys coming out to the Greenfield location daily to help out and care for the animals.
Families coming to Lark Ranch will see all of their favorite longstanding activities like the train ride, pumpkin picking, bounce bubble, playgrounds and amusement rides. There will likely be some new food vendors and rides this year.
Lark said he’s glad families make it an annual tradition to return to the ranch: he’s run into couples who got engaged in the corn maze, for example, and now they’re bringing their children. Other families choose Greenfield as a central location to meet up with extended family like grandparents or cousins for a day of fun.
“As people are getting more on their phones, there’s really not a lot of good opportunities for families to get together and put their phones down and just enjoy each other’s presence and have a fun day,” he said. “Here they can just have a good day, being in the moment.”
