Withrow said to meet the growing demand for pumpkins he will devote a few extra acres to them next year on his property in Red House.

He said part of the demand for the their pumpkins comes from their low prices and the novelty of going out and choosing your own.

Large pumpkins cost $6.

"Compared to $12 or $13 at the grocery store, it's a deal," he said. "[Produce is] locally raised. I don't have a lot of fuel prices. I'm not trucking them in and that allows me to sell them at a lower cost."

Withrow said while he and his wife plowed an extra acre for pumpkins this year, the weather cut down on their production.

"The wet weather in the spring hurt them and all this drought," he said.

Withrow was a Putnam County commissioner from 1999 to 2005. He has operated his farm for nearly 32 years. By day he and his wife also work for the county education system.

The farm is also open for tours to schoolchildren, Withrow said. Children can tour the barns and also take a hayride on the tractor, he said.

The farm is open from 5 p.m. to dark on Friday, 11 a.m. to dark on Saturday and 1 p.m. to dark on Sunday.

To reach the farm from Interstate 64, take the St. Albans exit and take a right onto U.S. 35, then another right onto Teays Valley Road. From there follow the pumpkin signs.

Reach Veronica Nett at veroni...@wvgazette.com or 348-5113.

Today may be the last chance for customers to scour the Withrows' pumpkin patch for that perfect fall accessory.

"I cannot raise enough pumpkins here to supply the demand," Jim Withrow said.

The couple own and operate a 6-acre farm on McCloud Road in Putnam County. Their farm is also the only place in the county where residents can pick their own pumpkins.

The Withrows began selling pumpkins last year. It was such a success they devoted an extra acre to the pumpkin patch this year.

"Last year was our biggest year we just sold tons of pumpkins ... some up to 130 pounds," he said.

Withrow said this year he has several pumpkins well over 100 pounds.

In the summer months, residents also can pick their own strawberries at the Withrow farm. Next summer, the couple also will offer pick-your-own blackberries.

Vegetables and fruits are not the Withrow's only stock in trade; they also sell fresh eggs and beef.

"We're a working farm," Withrow said. "We're not exactly organic; if we were, we would have to triple the price."

The couple keeps their farm as natural as possible. They do not feed antibiotics or steroids to their cattle, and they do not use chemicals on their produce.

The couple maintains about 6 acres on McCloud Road and has another 30 acres on Red House Hill.

Withrow said to meet the growing demand for pumpkins he will devote a few extra acres to them next year on his property in Red House.

He said part of the demand for the their pumpkins comes from their low prices and the novelty of going out and choosing your own.

Large pumpkins cost $6.

"Compared to $12 or $13 at the grocery store, it's a deal," he said. "[Produce is] locally raised. I don't have a lot of fuel prices. I'm not trucking them in and that allows me to sell them at a lower cost."

Withrow said while he and his wife plowed an extra acre for pumpkins this year, the weather cut down on their production.

"The wet weather in the spring hurt them and all this drought," he said.

Withrow was a Putnam County commissioner from 1999 to 2005. He has operated his farm for nearly 32 years. By day he and his wife also work for the county education system.

The farm is also open for tours to schoolchildren, Withrow said. Children can tour the barns and also take a hayride on the tractor, he said.

The farm is open from 5 p.m. to dark on Friday, 11 a.m. to dark on Saturday and 1 p.m. to dark on Sunday.

To reach the farm from Interstate 64, take the St. Albans exit and take a right onto U.S. 35, then another right onto Teays Valley Road. From there follow the pumpkin signs.

Reach Veronica Nett at veroni...@wvgazette.com or 348-5113.