This article was originally printed in the September/October 2026 issue of ‘hood Magazine. To see this article in print, and to read the rest of the issue, check out our digital issue
By Sarah Parker
Photos by Solis Photography
For the Koch family, fall pumpkins mean much more than decorations on their porch. They run a yearly pumpkin patch that donates its funds back into the community. It has become a tradition that brings their family together, keeps the memories of loved ones alive, and gives their children an opportunity to experience the joy of giving back.
John and Kaylee Koch’s family pumpkin patch began after the family started to plant pumpkins on their ranch near St. Lawrence, SD. What started with a few pumpkin plants eventually turned into hundreds of pumpkins, and they wondered what to do with them. Rather than let the pumpkins go to waste, the family decided to sell them and donate the proceeds to causes that were meaningful to their family.
That decision turned the Koch Family Pumpkin Patch into a tradition that has been going strong since 2021.
Community Impact
The first fundraiser was created in honor of John’s sister, Becca, who passed away from cancer in 2013. The family partnered with the Avera Foundation to help establish Becca’s Bistro, a community kitchen at Kirby Place in Walsh Family Village.
Then, in 2021, the family experienced another tremendous loss when Kaylee’s brother, Joseph, passed away. Joseph had been a Make-A-Wish child in 2000, so the family chose to support Make-A-Wish in his memory. Their goal was to raise enough money to grant an entire wish, and thanks to the generosity of the community, they were able to reach that goal in both 2022 and 2023.
Since then, the family has continued choosing organizations they connect with. In 2024, they supported Hungry Hearts, helping local families with needs like school lunches, backpacks, winter coats, and emergency assistance. In 2025, they chose Reach Literacy, a natural fit for a family whose children love to read.
For the 2026 pumpkin patch, the money raised is going to support The Foster Network. The Foster Network is a local nonprofit that supports foster kids and foster families. They provide clothing, essentials, support, and hope for children and families navigating foster care.
Growing Kindness
Ivy, Leo, and Faye have grown up watching their parents turn something as simple as a pumpkin into an opportunity to help someone else. They go to the ranch during the growing season, checking on the pumpkins. Then, when harvest time arrives, they put on their gloves and boots and get to work.
“It has given us something meaningful to do together as a family and, most importantly, has shown our kids firsthand how rewarding it can be to think of others and give back,” Kaylee says.
Now, the children are becoming part of the decision-making, too. They share ideas about organizations the family could support and are beginning to recognize opportunities to help others on their own.
Grow the Good in Your Family
For parents who want to teach their children about giving back, Kaylee says it doesn’t have to be a large project. Start by asking kids what they notice in their school or community and who they would like to help.
“When the kids are part of deciding how to give back, they become much more invested in it,” Kaylee says. “The amount or size of the gesture really doesn’t matter, it’s about creating those conversations and showing your kids that small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference.”
For the Kochs, the pumpkin patch has become an incredible way to give to causes close to their hearts and grow compassion in their own children.
The Koch Family Pumpkin Patch typically sells pumpkins in late September at 1102 S. Phillips Avenue in Sioux Falls, with the 2026 sale date to be announced. Follow the family on Facebook (Koch Family Pumpkin Patch) for updates or support this year’s fundraiser through Venmo at @kochfamilypumpkinpatch.
