WHO WE ARE
What started simple with the idea that visitors would learn more about agriculture and see a working and operating farm has grown into something that has become bigger than the 4-H project's expectations for northeast Kansas and its surrounding states. This evolution meant jumping from the back of the truck, to a parking lot, the corner of the machine shed, to the whole machine shed, and then a brand new "pumpkin shed" built specifically for pumpkins. Growing up for the entire family has become a much anticipated time of the year to watch the business that has been passed down to children, grand children, and great grand children. Our family farm has been able to withstand all of the things mother nature has thrown at us including floods, hail, tornados, extreme drought, and even a worldwide pandemic.
We feel blessed and honored year after year to be able provide a pumpkin patch in Lawrence, Kansas for your family.
Adam S.
"If you like the peaceful openness of rural Kansas, this farm will certainly deliver on that, even though it's very close to Lawrence. If it's one of those perfect weekends in October, know that it's going to be very busy, but it's always fun no matter how packed it gets.
It's worth the trip over from KC as well as we haven't found a better pumpkin patch anywhere around."
MEET OUR
team...
Scott and Kandi Schaake
THE SO FAR, NOT-SO-FAR FAMILY
Scott and Kandi live on a farm of their own in Westmoreland, Kansas managing registered simmental cattle. Scott is an retired professor from Kansas State University. He is now a full-time rancher. Kandi is a kindergarten teacher at Westmoreland Elementary School.
Their oldest son, Shane and his wife Melissa live in Manhattan, Kansas. Shane is an area sales manager for Biozyme Inc. Melissa is owner and CEO of Melissa Photography and Design. Youngest son, Shilo and his wife, Jamie are located in Garden City, Kansas. Shilo works for National Beef as a cattle buyer, Jamie is an AR Data Maintenance specialist for Jacam Catalyst.
Sheila Schaake
THE CRAFTY CREATOR
The oldest daughter, Sheila, lives a mile South of the pumpkin patch. Sheila does a lot of craft-making by hand for some of the items you may see in the shed at the patch. Sheila is the mother of four kids, Colton, Caden, Cambry, and Cael.
Colton is married to Tara they live on a farm in Medicine Lodge with their two darling children , Bridger and Bodie! Second son of Sheila's Caden, lives with his wife Emily right next door to the Schaake farm with their two young kids, Presley and Brooks. Cambry is married to her high school sweetheart, Tyler. Together they live in Baldwin with their two ornery and adorable boys, Bowen and Brexton. The youngest Cael, is a firefighter living in Manhattan, Kansas.
Shari Schaake
THE TEAM LEADER
Shari lives in her beautiful house with a built in rock wall waterfall and her two furry babies, Dusty and Daisy. She is a school counselor in the Blue Valley school district. During the fall, you can find her out in the patch with a pair of clippers in one hand, and pumpkins in the other.
Rusty and Sharla Dressler
THE BABIES
The youngest daughter of the family Sharla, lives a mile down the road east of the pumpkin patch. Sharla stays entertained by her husband, Rusty and four kids, Chase, twins of Kalen and Kelby, and Kynlee.
Chase lives in Manhattan, Kansas, working as a journeyman for Evergy and is married to Elizabeth who is a Geneticist for the American Simmental Association. The oldest daughter and first of the twins is Kalen, she lives in Wichita, working for Cargill. The other twin, Kelby is in Memphis, Tennessee working for Varsity Spirit. The youngest daughter, Kynlee is a freshman at Kansas State University perusing a degree in Ag Communication.
Caden and Emily Lynch
THE NEWBIES
Caden and his wife, Emily, recently took over the farm from Larry and Janet and are now helping carry on the Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch tradition. As young parents, they are teaching their little ones what it looks like to grow up on a farm and all that it takes to keep it running, while passing on the same “Fun on the Farm Family Tradition” that Schaake’s has provided for generations.
51 YEARS IN THE MAKING
TRUST THE PROCESS
