Polly's Pumpkin Patch in Chilton is one of four farms in Wisconsin hosting 2025 NFL Draft themed corn mazes. PC: Fox 11 Online
CHILTON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Green Bay is on the clock with a little more than 200 days until the start of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Packers are putting a spotlight on Wisconsin’s agriculture this fall, leading up to the Draft. The organization is teaming up with four Wisconsin farms to celebrate farming and football.
It may feel like summer outside, but fall is right around the corner. Pumpkins, apples, hayrides and corn mazes, just a few of the activities that drive agricultural tourism in the state.
“Wisconsin agricultural tourism is an opportunity for family farms to diversify. It’s an opportunity to bring in additional revenue stream to their farm and in some farm situations it is a matter of making ends meet,” said Sheila Everhart with the WATA, the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association.
WATA kicking off the fall tourism season at Polly’s Pumpkin Patch in Chilton.
For more than two decades Gary Juckem and Polly Roland have welcomed visitors to Polly’s Pumpkin Patch at their century old family farm. And this year Polly’s is one of four farms, across the state, chosen by the Green Bay Packers to host an NFL Draft themed corn maze.
“It’s absolutely awesome and the coolest thing ever,” said Polly Roland.
The Packers using football and specifically the draft to put a spotlight on the agriculture industry and its importance to the state.
According to Aaron Popkey, Director of Public Affairs, “This is a commercial and exposure for the entire state, ongoing right up until next spring and this is one of those ways we can celebrate it and we know we people are going to be crisscrossing the state as they go to and from the draft and this is a perfect place to make a stop and see celebrate that and we’re so excited.”
Wisconsin agriculture has $1.4 billion economic impact on the state each year. Agricultural tourism is part of that.
Visits to Polly’s and other farms and agricultural centers across the state are about so much more.
Roland added, “We’re both retired now, from our regular jobs. So, this is our bread and butter and it’s just really cool. It’s a lot of fun. On the weekends, after we have all of our stuff done we just come down here and walk around and talk to customers and it’s just so much fun.”
That’s why the WATA encourages everyone to take a walk through a corn maze, hop on a wagon ride, maybe even pick a pumpkin and enjoy all Wisconsin and its agriculture has to offer.
The Wisconsin agricultural fall tourism season runs through October 31st.
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