Juli and JD’s Pumpkin Patch

My name is Kailey and I am the daughter of Juli, co-owner of JD’s Pumpkin Patch in Tomahawk, WI.

This small, hobby farm is run by my mom, Juli, her husband, Dave, and under the relaxed supervision of my grandma Kay.

For years this patch has been bringing smiles and delight to patrons each fall, who would come to purchase pumpkins and gourds. Visitors have enjoyed taking festive pictures with their families and taking hayrides across Tomahawk and the north woods. As retirees, my mom and Dave depend on the income from these sales to supplement their earnings throughout the year.

A few months ago, there was a huge scare in Mom's health. I got the call when I was 37 weeks pregnant and hundreds of miles away that my mom was being rushed to the hospital for a brain aneurysm and brain bleed. She was airlifted by helicopter to Wausau for specialist care and admitted into the ICU. She endured several small strokes in the hospital, and I am so thankful for her recovery.

Mom spent four weeks being treated and recovering in a hospital over an hour from her home, which meant Dave spent time each morning and night traveling back and forth to be by her side all day and encourage her healing, followed by evenings spent making sure Gram was taken care of too, doing what he could to keep things going day to day.

Thankfully, Mom is home and recovering, but facing long months of rehabilitation ahead—and mounting medical bills as well. Unfortunately, without Mom and Dave working diligently in the fields throughout the summer, the pumpkins, gourds and fall fun won’t be happening this year. We know that this pumpkin patch is a beloved tradition for many families in and around Tomahawk, and we want Juli and Dave to know that, and encourage them to continue.

If you’re reading this, I’m asking you to consider donating to Juli and Dave what you would have spent on pumpkins this year. Any funds collected will be appreciated and used by Juli and Dave for medical bills and to keep the farm going in the future.

My mom’s recovery will be long and arduous, and we are thankful that she has Dave as her support and caregiver.

If you’ve visited JD’s over the years, please share your support by posting your fall pictures on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/285089705476587/?ref=share