Building family traditions is goal of new pumpkin patch

       Prairie Jewel Farm logo for the new pumpkin patch business opening on Saturday, Oct. 3 in rural Grinnell. The business is being started to give local and area families a place to come, have fun and build fall traditions. Submitted photo.

By J.O. Parker

         A new rural Grinnell business focused on providing a place for families and children to gather and enjoy building their own seasonal fall traditions centered around agriculture opens its doors on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Prairie Jewel Farm, located at 598 400th Ave., (on the Farmhand Road), was founded by  Tessa (Roland) Perrin and family.
        The new business offers pumpkins, mums, and other fall items for sale. In addition, other family-friendly activities will be available for families and children. They are as follows:
Core Services
         Tour a field/hay rack ride
         Take home your own pumpkin/fruit/vegetable
          See/touch actual farm equipment
          Engage in creative play through various farm yard opportunities, including an obstacle course
          Explore sensory play in a corn pit (Iit’s like a huge sand pit with corn instead)
          Safe farm animal interactions/educational experiences (the farm features a miniature pony, bunnies and goats)
           Provide opportunities for family photos and for family traditions to be started
           Visit an on-site market for seasonal décor and goods
From idea to reality
          Tessa is a 2007 graduate of Grinnell High School. She holds a BA in business and a minor in economics from the University of Northern Iowa, later going on to become a registered nurse.
           After graduating from UNI, Tessa moved to Buffalo, N.Y. where she met her husband, J.D.
          The couple raised and raced Standard Bred Horses (A Roland family tradition) in New York and have two daughters, ages 6 and 9.
         While visiting family in Grinnell a couple years ago, Tessa saw an opportunity to open a pumpkin patch and to provide a place for families to gather in the fall and enjoy building traditions together.
         Visiting the local pumpkin patch in Grinnell was a tradition that Tessa has fond memories of growing up, and she wanted other families to have the same opportunity.
         A year later, Tessa realized that opportunity was still available. She started researching the idea and got the ball rolling this year. It’s a business that she hopes to grow over time.
          The couple built a new home and moved to rural Grinnell in June 2026.
      “I want to raise my family here,” she said of coming home to Grinnell. “We are eager to immerse ourselves in the community.”
         Being the first year, the pumpkin patch will feature tents and temporary spaces on the grounds while the business gets established. Tessa calls it a pop up business.
          Tessa cautioned that everything is outdoors in a hayfield. “So wear your boots,” she said.
          As for the future, Tessa said the plan is to create a space where families have the opportunity to see and learn about some of the farm components that are so vital to Grinnell and area communities while enjoying fun fall traditions.
          The business will be open the following dates from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Oct. 3 - 4, Oct. 10 -11, Oct. 17 -18, Oct. 24 – 25 and Oct. 31.
          There will be a small admission fee charged to visit the outdoor event.
          For more information, contact Tessa Perrin at: [email protected].

       Top Left: Tessa (Roland) Perrin and family started the Prairie Jewel Farm to give local and area families a place to come, have fun and build fall traditions. Top Right: There will be plenty of pumpkins and mums offered for sale at the new Prairie Jewel Farm, which opens on Saturday, Oct. 3. The fall business will be open on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month of October. Bottom Left: There will be plenty of pumpkins and mums offered for sale at the new Prairie Jewel Farm, which opens on Saturday, Oct. 3. The fall business will be open on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month of October. Bottom Right: A  large hay bale painted like a pumpkin is one of the many features of the new Prairie Jewel Farm opening on Saturday, Oct. 3 in rural Grinnell. All submitted photos.