Young Entrepreneur Grows College Fund Through Pumpkin Patch

A 12-year-old from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, is turning his passion for pumpkins into a budding business that supports his college aspirations. Ianto Welch operates a pumpkin patch at Front Step Farms Inc., where he is learning valuable lessons in entrepreneurship and community engagement.

The pumpkin season kicks off on September 30, 2023, at the farm located at 855 Line 1 Rd.. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the farm offers pumpkins priced between $3 and $7, with Welch greeting customers most weekends. After a successful trial last year, the Grade 8 student now manages the patch largely on his own.

Over the summer, Welch dedicated about an hour each day to tending the field, which is situated on land where his mother, Heather Sippel, works. “Just selling pumpkins for people to have — maybe carve them, get the seeds, roast them, maybe turn them into pumpkin pie,” he explained. Last year, he earned $2,000, which he has saved for his future education.

Although this season may yield fewer pumpkins due to dry weather, Welch remains optimistic about his earnings. He started planting in mid-June and set prices at $3 for small pumpkins, $5 for medium, and $7 for large. He remarked that the work has been “absolutely” hard, adding he works on the patch “every day she’s at work and I’m not at school.”

Sippel noted that the project has profoundly impacted Welch, connecting him to the community in ways that school alone could not. “It’s great to see him go from basically sitting, playing video games in his off time, to interacting with nature,” she said. Welch has shown resilience, overcoming personal challenges, including the loss of his father just before the COVID-19 pandemic. “To see him bounce back from what he was beforehand has just been amazing,” Sippel added.

Michael Watson, the founder of Front Step Farms, provided Welch with the opportunity to run the pumpkin patch. Watson and Sippel connected after he posted a TikTok video inviting people to try farm work. Sippel, frustrated by how disconnected many had become from their food sources, decided to take on the challenge. Watson welcomed her to the farm, and Welch soon took over the pumpkin patch.

Watson emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for new farmers. “My aim is to bring in people who may not have a farming background but show the work ethic to learn,” he stated. By allowing them to use his land, Watson hopes to create a sustainable environment for future farmers while gradually stepping back from daily operations.

The pumpkin patch is entirely Welch’s venture, with Watson clarifying that “No proceeds or anything. We’ve all kind of pitched in.” The land had been underutilized, and when Sippel suggested it might benefit her son to spend time at the farm, Watson was eager to make it happen.

Watson has observed the growth of the farm over the years, noting how it has become a place where families return season after season. This year’s heat has led to an earlier harvest and potentially lower yields for Welch compared to last year’s cooler, wetter conditions that resulted in a fruitful crop. Still, Watson expressed admiration for how far Welch has come. “It’s incredible how far he’s come along this past year,” he remarked, looking forward to seeing Welch engage with the community again as the season unfolds.

As the pumpkin patch opens its doors, Ianto Welch is not just selling pumpkins; he is cultivating skills, building connections, and laying the groundwork for his future. Through dedication and hard work, this young entrepreneur is setting himself on a path towards success.