WARRINGTON, Pa. (WLVT) —Over the summer, when PBS39 caught up with Lori Garges Myers, who helps run her family's farm in Warrington, Bucks County, she had some tough decisions to make.
"In July, we were in the green," recalled Myers, "but what if we went back to red? What if we put money out to get all of this stuff up-and-running, and then we’re not able to open?"
Winding Brook Farm produces corn, soy beans, wheat, hay and straw — and raises cows for beef. Fall agritainment, like haunted hayrides, pumpkin picking and corn mazes, helps to sustain the farm from year-to-year.
"It helps us along with our crop farming and beef farming," explained Myers. "It’s a supplement to our income."
COVID-19 put the kibosh on the haunted house and the corn maze — and about 50 haunted attraction jobs were left unfilled.
"We can only have 250 people in the field. The field itself can hold 500 people. So, we scaled down," said Myers. "None of our food and beverage concession stands are open this year."
Still, Myers hoped to salvage some of the fall sales.
"Looking at all of the regulations was overwhelming," said Myers. "We put up the Plexiglass partitions. We have a hand sanitizing station. We did everything we needed to do."
Private hayrides and bonfires for groups of 25 or fewer have been a longtime Winding Brook tradition, and those are still available by reservation. No reservation is needed to visit the farm, take pictures, and pick pumpkins.
"Usually people are hyped about fall," said Myers. "This year, they’re buying pumpkins, taking some pictures and going back home. It's pretty low-key."
She admits the business is on a tighter budget this year due to COVID-19, but says the farm will make it work.
"We have to sharpen our pencil and make sure we don’t overspend," said Myers. "This farm has been in our family since 1805, and we want to pass it down to more generations."
You can learn about ways to support Winding Brook Farm by visiting their website and Facebook page.