Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Kessinger.
Hi Peter, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up on the farm and watched the business grow after my father, Jim Kessinger, started it in 1998. Every year, he and his team added new activities, expanded the farm, and looked for ways to make the experience even better for our guests. I spent my summers and fall weekends doing my part to help make the business successful. After high school, I attended OSU to pursue a degree in Computer Engineering. Even then, I drove back to help on fall weekends whenever I could. After graduating, I spent five years working as a software engineer while still helping my dad with projects here and there. While I found success in that career, I never found the fulfillment I was looking for.
It was always my dream to return to the farm, continue my dad’s legacy, and remain a meaningful part of our community. Providing a place where families can make lasting memories has always been special to me, and it is where I have found the greatest fulfillment in life. It gives me a tangible reason to come to work every day that engineering never did.
Today, I am taking over the family business. My focus is on modernizing our processes and improving the farm each year so our guests have the best experience possible. Growing pumpkins and building this business alongside my father has been an incredible experience, and I hope to carry forward the values he built this farm on while continuing to improve it for future generations.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Working with family is never easy, but it is incredibly rewarding. My father and I had to learn how to communicate through big decisions, and when we weren’t on the same page, it was easy for frustrations to build. Over time, though, we both put in the effort to better understand each other’s perspectives, communicate our concerns, and support one another through the stressful moments.
We have always wanted what was best for both the business and each other, and having that shared foundation made it much easier to work through disagreements and grow stronger because of them. Looking back, those challenges not only made us better business partners but also strengthened our relationship as father and son.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Plumper Farms?
Plumper Farms is a family-owned pumpkin patch and Christmas tree farm dedicated to connecting people with agriculture. We grow and sell local products while inviting families to experience firsthand where their food is grown. From picking pumpkins to enjoying fresh food made on the farm, we strive to create an experience that is both fun and memorable. After all, where else can you enjoy a warm pumpkin donut while petting goats or taking a hayride through the fields?
Located just outside Portland and tucked into the scenic hills, our farm offers a peaceful escape surrounded by forests and farmland. The drive in is beautiful, and once you arrive, you’re immersed in the charm of a real working farm. With activities, animals, great food, and wide-open spaces, there’s something for guests of every age to enjoy.
One attraction that truly sets us apart is our Pumpkin Cannons. Guests get to launch specially grown cannonball pumpkins more than 1,000 feet across the valley—an unforgettable experience you won’t find just anywhere. Above all, we’re proud to provide a place where families can unplug, spend time together, and create traditions and memories that last for generations.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
To those just starting out, my biggest recommendation is to hire the best people you can as soon as you can. You can spend years fumbling through trial and error trying to build systems on your own, or you can bring in people who have already solved those problems elsewhere. Hiring experienced people is expensive upfront, but it can save an incredible amount of time, money, and frustration in the long run.
I learned this lesson firsthand when I decided to build and operate a grill venue out of a tent on our farm. I eventually hired a professional chef to manage our food operation, and the expertise they brought completely transformed it. They improved everything from the menu and kitchen layout to the overall efficiency of the operation. Bringing in experts has consistently been one of the best investments I’ve made.
Pricing:
- Online Admission: $17.00
- Walk Up Admission: $19.00
- Season Pass: $33.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://plumperfarms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plumperpumpkinpatch
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plumperpumpkins
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@officialplumperfarms
