By Marc Strauss

MORTON – John Ackerman has been harvesting pumpkins for a few weeks. And he’s excited about what’s been coming out of his fields.

“We’re having a good year. This may be our best pumpkin year ever,” said Ackerman.  “It’s been dry and pumpkins like it dry. The weather has been perfect for us.”

LISTEN: John Ackerman of Ackerman Farms in Morton discusses this year’s pumpkin harvest:

Ackerman estimates his farm in Morton will produce more than 30,000 pumpkins this year. That includes 160 different varieties of pumpkins, gourds and squash.

Pumpkins need very little rain to grow.

“They set down roots all along their vines so they’re extremely efficient at pulling up the moisture that’s there,” Ackerman explained.

Morton is known as the Pumpkin Capital of the World and is said to produce 85 percent of the world’s canned pumpkin product. This weekend the village is celebrating the annual Morton Pumpkin Festival where 70,000 visitors are expected.

“Most people buy them to decorate with,” said Ackerman. “We grow red ones, we grow white one, we grow blue ones here. There are many that are grown for eating that are still beautiful for decorating.”

Ackerman Farms is located just east of Morton on Route 150 and welcomes visitors this time of year. People come to pick out and buy pumpkins, see the corn maze, visit the gift shop and see the animals. You can even take a hayrack ride.

MarcStrauss can be reached at [email protected].