Mike Pearson takes a look at the pumpkin industry and the economic driver it is for many states.
Pumpkins are grown in every state and that means the industry is dispersed through the country.
However, six states produce 40 percent of the country’s pumpkins. They include: California, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
In 2022, Illinois led the way with 17,600 acres planted. They also produced three times as many as the number two producer: Indiana.
However, the pumpkins grown in Illinois are mainly for processing for food products like pumpkin pie filling.
According to the…
