Specialties
In 1996, with 15 acres of pumpkins, Tate Farms Cotton Pickin' Pumpkins, a fall farm agritainment business was introduced. The name was chosen carefully to reflect the family agricultural heritage. Plans were made to attract school children to acquaint them with the rural lifestyle and promote agriculture. The Tate family wanted children to see for themselves how the food they eat is grown and how the cotton they wear as clothes begins on a plant. Today's operation includes some 80 acres of pumpkins and gourds in many shapes, sizes and colors. The pumpkin business has expanded to include more than tours for school children. Today, in addition to school tours, Tate Farms is open in pumpkin season for families to spend time on the farm. Activities include: hayrides to the pumpkin fields to pick a fresh pumpkin off the vine, pedal carts, petting animals, barnyard playground, corn cribs, jumping pillows, hay maze, corn train rides, cotton jump, picnic areas, two restaurant facilities, Country Store, Pumpkin & Vine, Cafe & Collectibles, antique farm equipment, and a huge produce shed for fall decor purchases.
History
The farm, located in the red clay soils of the Tennessee Valley, consists of 6,000 acres of family owned and leased land. While the farm produces several different crops, including corn, wheat, soybeans and pumpkins, the principal crop has always been cotton. The family also manages around a 50 head of beef cows. Homer began farming with around 50 acres that he plowed with a mule. Today, this huge amount of acreage is managed with 200 horse power tractors pulling modern equipment. Homer and his workers picked cotton by hand back in 1948 and carried the cotton on their backs in a tow sack. Today, the cotton is harvested with a cotton picker that picks 6 rows at a time, doing the work of 100 men.