Driving down the 101, one cannot help but notice the fields of pumpkins, sunflowers and corn fields filled with families and visitors. Conejo Valley Family Farms made its debut last fall and has gained business across California due to their increased publicity and featured events.
Farm co-owner and supervisor Elizabeth Rozoni said the farm has expanded its activities since its inaugural season, welcoming as many as 5,000 visitors per day.
One of the family-farms’ owners, Elizabeth Rozoni, shares the improvements from last year to this one. As preparations for this season began last July, additions such as live music, snap peas and more bounce houses have recently been added.
“This year we’re taking everything we learned from last year and trying to just top that and make it better. So it’s things we would have just been happy were happening last year,” Rozoni said.
Behind all of the fall festivities planted throughout the farm’s landscape, the produce provided for community members allows an interactive experience.
“I’d encourage people to visit it because not everyone really gets a peek at agriculture and what goes into our like grocery stores, and granted, we are just pumpkins, sunflowers, sugar snap peas, and green beans, and we have corn. But I think it’s cool for everyone to get that experience where they’re going to a working farm,” Rozoni said.
It takes a strong team to pull off a seasonal event like Conejo Valley Family Farms has, requiring a large staff. Sahara Fernandez, college student, reflects on her second year working at Conejo Valley Family Farms as she switches between stations.
“Everybody’s really great. It’s a very positive environment to be here. I think it’s a really nice getaway. I don’t feel like there’s a place like this in Ventura County that’s close by,” Fernandez said.
Having just moved back to Camarillo, Alison Steiner and her family visited the pumpkin patch for the first time after quickly noticing the farm while driving up the grade. During her family’s first visit, they enjoyed picking their own sunflowers, getting to explore the corn maze and picking pumpkins amongst the many options.
“It was fun just to go through and pick the sunflowers. It’s a fun getaway. I think it’s cute,” Steiner said.
The small farm offers Steiner’s family and all families, a chance to enjoy and celebrate the fall season. Being able to spend time on a real farm, supporting local food trucks and doing seasonal activities, allows for a more meaningful and memorable experience.
“I mean, it’s kind of smaller, […] but I think there’s a lot to do for kids to do and just many fun fall activities,” Steiner said.
The pumpkin patch offers more than just a seasonal attraction like flower picking and hayrides, but it also fosters an opportunity for all guests to see a glimpse of the agricultural process behind what they find in grocery stores.
“I think it’s cool for everyone to get that experience where they’re going to a working farm. I mean, California is one of the largest producers of produce, and we supply a lot of the food to the rest of the country. So I think just getting to get that experience and see a real working farm is pretty cool,” Rozoni said.
Visiting the farm for her best friends’ birthday celebration, Elsa Rivera, traveling from the San Fernando Valley found the farm through social media. Although this was their first time visiting, they plan on returning next season.
“They have a really good Instagram. I was scrolling and all of a sudden it popped up. I like the fact that you could actually just go onto the field and cut your own flowers and you walk around. It’s a really beautiful environment,” Rivera said.
Along with the natural environment, Rivera also notes the accessibilities for families, especially those with young children.
“It’s very family friendly from what I see, a lot of families, little kids, and they’re free to just roam around. And that’s what kids like to do [in a] open space. They like to adventure out, look at things, touch things, and nobody’s telling them no, you can’t do that,” Rivera said.
While the pumpkin farm wraps up business on Oct. 31, more fall fun is bound to happen until then.
“We’re so grateful for the community that supported us along the way. We had no idea what to expect last year, and even this year, we couldn’t guarantee that people would have a good experience again. And so, we’re just really grateful for the whole community coming out and supporting us,” Rozoni said.
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