Parker Elementary students enjoy early pumpkin harvest

A couple of Parker Elementary School kindergartner students inspect their harvest.

Text and photos by Roger Sims

rsims@linncountyjournal.com

A busload of Parker Elementary School kindergarteners unloaded at the homestead of Paula and Jeff McGuire on Thursday, Sept. 11, to harvest a plot of pumpkins that were ready to be picked.

Jeff McGuire uses pruners to cut pumpkins from vines after students made their choice.

The pumpkin patch, planted beside a patch of large sunflowers that had been mowed down a few days prior to the harvest, had plenty of orange color showing through. (The McGuires plant sunflowers for doves and mow them down to break up the heads to make it easier for the birds – including yellow finches – to feed.)

Once given instructions by teachers Alyssa Madden and Ashton Schlotz, students waded into the patch. Some picked the largest pumpkins, others found ones that were smaller. One student picked one that was a little larger than a softball and still green. Asked if he wanted a larger one instead, he replied he wanted the one he picked.

Once the harvest was done, the students posed for group photos and boarded the bus with their bounty.

Students spread out in the patch looking for the perfect pumpkin.

Ms. Madden's class and, below, Ms. Schlotz's class pose for photos after the harvest.