By: Devin Holcomb, Reporter
GRETNA, Neb. – When September and October rolls around thousands of Nebraskans head to the pumpkin patches, but none is more popular in Eastern Nebraska than Vala’s Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard. I spoke with Founder and Co-owner, Tim Vala to find out where his love of agriculture comes from, but found out it is much more than just growing pumpkins.
Tim Vala, Co-Founded Vala’s Pumpkin Path with his wife Jan in the 80s. However, Tim didn’t spend all his time on the farm when he was growing up. He actually lived in South Omaha when he was a kid with his father who was an electrician and his mom, a nurse. Where Tim developed a likeness to agriculture by going to his Grandparents farm.
“This this was just a good fit. Like I said, gardening was one of the things I like to do if I wasn’t really working and, you know, I didn’t have to get paid to garden. I did it because I liked it.” (Tim Vala, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Vala’s Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard)
Tim and Jan would have three daughters who now co-own the pumpkin patch with Tim to keep the Vala’s family business going. Vala’s Pumpkin Patch is entering their 38th year of operation on their 400-acre farm. However, it is not just visitors who look forward of opening the farm in the Fall. Some staff such as Sylvia Davis has been here for 21 seasons, and loves working with the Vala family.
“Vala’s, is a wonderful family. We are all part of the Orange Farm family here. We have nearly 1000 employees this season, and it’s just a very happy place to be.” (Sylvia Davis, Good Witch at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard)
Vala’s Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard will be open for the remainder of October. Before it closes until it returns for next year.
