Family turns farm into destination for fall fun

Brooke and Lane Mellegaard planted 10,000 pumpkin seeds this year.

Which if you lay out all 95 varieties end to end is about 5 miles of pumpkins, gourds and squash.

But it’s all in the name of family fun. The Mellegaards have opened “Our Farm,” which they describe as a new pumpkin patch, corn maze, petting zoo and more near Parker. This is their first year, though the farm has been in Lane Mellegaard’s family for generations.

“Lane grew up on this farm,” Brooke Mellegaard said. “He’s now taken this and turned it into a fall destination.”

In the past, they farmed the 320 acres, and his dad had an autobody shop. Then, they rented some of the land to neighbors, but this year, they decided to take the plunge and create a farm destination.

For the past five years, their three kids have planted small pumpkin patches, and then they’ve brought them into Sioux Falls and sold them out of the back of a truck. They sold out every year.

“It just got bigger and bigger,” Mellegaard said. “This year, we decided to go big. We have a lot of pumpkins this year.”

The pumpkins take up about 10 acres. They’ve also added a 6-acre corn maze, a petting zoo with goats, ducklings and baby rabbits, and, if he feels like it, their family dog, a Labrador named Dodge.

There’s also a hay bale mountain, gourd launchers, a zip line and a pedal track. And, of course, concessions. The farm is open Friday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., Sept. 2 through October. It’s part of a growing trend of rural destinations in the region.

“We saw a need for one out this way,” Mellegaard said. “And, honestly, we just wanted to be an affordable fall family attraction. It’s really simple, and it’s a real farm atmosphere.”

Which also means, potential visitors, don’t wear your best shoes.

“Wear old shoes,” Mellegaard said with a laugh. “Don’t wear cute boots. It’s a farm.”

They hope families will come out and enjoy the land and the activities.

“It’s exciting. It’s, of course, nerve-wracking starting a new business,” Mellegaard said. “It’s for kids and families and just to make memories.”

The farm is at 27253 455th Ave. Events are posted regularly on the Facebook page, Our Farm. Concessions are available for purchase, and there will be port-a-potties on-site. Hours are noon to 6 p.m., Friday through Sunday, Sept. 2 through October. Admission is $10 for kids and $5 for adults. Children younger than 2 are admitted free. Pets are not allowed.