The Patch: Santa Maria's Pumpkin Patch
Hidden between Santa Maria and Orcutt on Los Flores Ranch, a small pumpkin patch is worth a visit next year. Local high school students run it from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. It is open only from Sept. 25 to Oct. 25 because it runs alongside the autumn harvest, which ends in late October.
Four leaders established the Patch in 2017 to give Santa Maria high school students leadership and agricultural opportunities. The team is small, but it keeps the organization running smoothly.
Eddie Araujo, Los Flores Ranch production coordinator, oversees the agricultural side of the Patch and works with sponsors and students.
Corina Posada, program coordinator, handles event details, sponsorships and marketing.
Andrew Reade, sponsor coordinator, reaches out to new businesses for sponsorships and teaches students about pumpkin production.
Tyler Dickinson, student coordinator, discusses the Patch’s mission with students and helps them enroll in the program.
People for Leisure and Youth Inc., Betteravia Farms, Plantel Nurseries, Wilson Oral Surgery and EquipmentShare have supported the Patch.
The leaders and students have put together plenty of entertainment. Visitors can jump through multiple bounce houses for free, play carnival games in the skeleton tunnel or compete in jumbo Jenga, Connect Four or basketball. They can also walk through the patch and pick out pumpkins to take home and carve.
The Patch has several photo areas for selfies and group photos. Before leaving, visitors can buy $5 tokens at the food stands and redeem them for any treat. Lunch options and sweets are available. One standout is Sweet and Succulent Sweet Treat’s caramel and vanilla swirl ice cream with pumpkin sauce, a fitting fall dessert. The stand also sells mini donuts, apple nachos, apple cider and three dirty soda flavors: Dr Pepper, strawberry and orange.
Santa Maria has hidden gems for everyone, and the Patch is one not to miss.
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