Fields of Orange and Autumn Gold
Every fall, California fields burst with orange as pumpkins take their star turn, lining farmers’ markets, brightening porches, and flavoring the season’s favorite treats. What began as an old Irish tale of “Jack of the Lantern” carved from turnips has become an all-American tradition and a thriving farm economy.
California ranks among the nation’s top pumpkin-producing states, joining Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Together, they grow about two-thirds of all U.S. pumpkins, roughly 1.4 billion pounds in 2024. From the Central Valley to the coast, California growers focus on fresh, ornamental pumpkins for carving and decoration, while Illinois leads in processing for canned pie filling.
According to the American Farm Bureau’s Market Intel, pumpkins generated more than $274 million in value nationwide in 2024. But even in sunny California, farmers face rising costs, labor shortages, and weather risks that can make or break a harvest.
Still, when golden fields give way to glowing jack-o’-lanterns, it’s clear: California’s farmers keep autumn shining bright, one pumpkin at a time.
