Virginia Grown Pumpkins Delivered To Governor’s Mansion from Southwest Virginia

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Official release

News Release

October 5, 2026

Virginia Grown Pumpkins Delivered To Governor’s Mansion from Southwest Virginia

Richmond, Va. – Governor Abigail Spanberger and First

Gentleman Adam Spanberger welcomed a delivery of Virginia Grown pumpkins from Southwest

Virginia to the Executive Mansion today.

This year’s festive fall pumpkins were grown and delivered by Richdale Farm, a fifth-generation farm in

Wytheville, Va., operated by the Crowgey family. The pumpkin delivery is an annual tradition organized by

the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Virginia Pumpkin Growers’ Association

to celebrate autumn and recognize October as Virginia Pumpkin Month.

“We are honored to receive these pumpkins as a celebration of the agricultural bounty of Virginia,” said

First Gentleman Adam Spanberger. “Thank you to the Crowgey family for this special tradition during such

an enjoyable season in the Commonwealth. The Governor and I encourage all Virginia families to take the

opportunity to support your local farmers when choosing fall decorations and activities.”

Richdale Farm hosts an annual fall festival with pumpkin picking, hayrides, a corn maze and other

activities. Operated by father and son Eric and Aaron Crowgey with additional support from their spouses

and other family members, the farm currently has hair sheep, beef cattle, pumpkins, sweet corn, and fall

produce. Aaron Crowgey and his son Graham delivered this year’s pumpkins to the Executive Mansion, and

Governor Spanberger presented them with a proclamation designating October as Virginia Pumpkin Month.

Approximately 4,700 acres of pumpkins were harvested by nearly 400 growers in the Commonwealth in 2025.

Fresh market productions had a value of $16.9 million, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s

National Agricultural Statistics Service, and Virginia ranked seventh nationally for total pumpkin

production value.

“Fall is an excellent time to support the hard work of Virginia farmers by visiting local pumpkin patches

and other agritourism attractions, decorating with locally grown pumpkins, and embracing all that the

Commonwealth’s agriculture has to offer,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie

Frazier. “The Virginia pumpkin crop is good this year, and we hope everyone will bring Virginia

Grown pumpkins home to celebrate the season.”

Virginia farmers begin harvesting pumpkins around Labor Day and continue through Halloween. Plan a family

visit to a Virginia farm to pick pumpkins, apples, and late season berries; purchase festive mums and

other fall décor items; enjoy hot apple cider and apple cider donuts; and make the most of your Virginia

Grown pumpkins at home by making delicious baked goods and soups. Visit the Virginia Tourism website for fall farm trip ideas.

Release text attributed to Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.