The Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association is pleased to award its 2021 Young Grower Award to Wyatt Schriver. The Young Grower Award is given to recognize PVGA members who are 35 years old or younger, who have been successfully growing vegetables, potatoes or berries for less than five years and who have contributed to advancing or promoting the Pennsylvania vegetable, potato or berry industries. The prize is free registration for the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention plus lodging at the Hershey Lodge (which this year will be carried over to 2022).
Wyatt is a 21-year-old PVGA Member, and an agricultural entrepreneur. He owns the fall produce stand, The Mum Farm, in Jonestown, Pennsylvania, where he grows a wide variety of pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, mums, corn shocks, and many additional seasonal items. He purchased the business from the previous owner in December of 2019 and just concluded his first season.
On the property he planted and grew 4.5 acres of pumpkins and gourds this year. The plants’ water and proper nutrients are provided through a computer-controlled irrigation system. The retail portion of the season begins in mid-August and continues through the end of October.
The business contributes to the advancement and promotion of the Pennsylvania vegetable industry through advertisements on social media and local marketing outlets. This season was quite successful with many customers coming from the local area and from out of state. They sold out of multiple varieties. Looking into the next few years, Wyatt is considering expanding the quantity and variety of products for even greater success in the future.
Wyatt graduated high school only two years ago, where he was an active member in the FFA program. Being in that program is what helped prepare him for his future in agriculture and to teach good habits of a successful business owner. He not only contributes the vegetable growing industry with his ideas and willingness to try new things but also is an encouragement to other young people starting out in the agricultural industry. He shows with some hard work and determination that even at a young age you can accomplish great things.