This year marks the 50th anniversary of Lane Farms, our local pumpkin patch and farm loved by so many in the Santa Barbara community. For many, visiting Lane Farms with friends and family has become an annual tradition to celebrate the months of autumn and the Halloween season. Many of us Santa Barbara locals have grown up with Lane Farms. Our earliest Halloween memories include dressing up in costumes and riding the hayride as little kids, exploring the corn maze with friends, and picking out the perfect pumpkins to carve. While the pumpkin patch at Lane Farms has been operating for half a century now, the farm has been an essential part of Santa Barbara’s agricultural community since 1868. As its 50th anniversary approaches, it is amazing to look back on how a hopeful and hard working family who came to California in a covered wagon created such a staple in our community.
The Lane family first came to California in 1863 from Independence, Missouri. They traveled by wagon train and settled in Goleta Valley by 1868.
“We are proud to be a local family farm operating since 1868,” said Ruth Lane, owner of Lane Farms.
Though most well known for its pumpkin patch, Lane Farms started out by growing walnuts, lemons, and lima beans, before eventually opening a produce stand in 1939, selling a wider assortment of produce. For 85 years, the Lane Farms produce stand has provided Santa Barbara and Goleta residents with over 30 varieties of fresh, locally grown, pesticide-free fruits and vegetables, and is especially renowned for its lettuce, sweet corn, squash, and strawberries. Lane Farms specializes in sustainable farming practices and often hosts elementary school classes to teach future generations about the importance of local farming.
When asked about sustainability, owner Ruth Lane said, “Drip irrigation is used most of the time to limit water usage, as opposed to surface watering or sprinklers…”
Each year, assembling the annual pumpkin patch requires an immense amount of work and preparation.
“The work starts in June, as pumpkins take 90-100 days to grow from planting to harvest,” Lane added.
Many of us from Santa Barbara can agree that it does not truly feel like autumn until we visit the sprawling field dotted with vibrant pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. Lane farms has left so many of us with treasured memories that encourage us to return each year.
“I have countless good memories at Lane Farms, visiting with my family every year and getting pumpkins to carve with my friends,” said junior, Sabrina Rashti.
The pumpkin patch is not the only fall attraction at Lane Farms. In fact, its corn maze has become a symbol of spooky fall celebration in Santa Barbara. Similar to the pumpkin patch, the corn maze is planted far in advance and requires careful planning.
“The corn maze is planted in July, and then comes a lot of work and care to make it look welcoming and inviting to create a special place for the fall season,” Lane added.
Lane Farms is also well known for its charming hayride experience, which shows visitors around the property, highlighting all that the farm has to offer.
Whether you are a child riding the hayride with your family, a teenager getting lost in the corn maze with friends, or a parent visiting the farm animals with your kids, Lane Farms is sure to bring the automonal fun to your fall season. Make sure to stop by the pumpkin patch before October 31st, open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends, and noon to 7:00 p.m. during the week. Get ready to immerse yourself in these magical fall festivities!
