Gerald McArtor writes the following about participating in the farm tour:

For the past 12-13 years, the United Malta Methodist Church has sponsored the farm tour which involved the inner city youth of Chicago Methodist Churches. They bring 1 or 2 bus loads of kids out to the rural Malta area to visit the different farming activities.

The last stop of the day, as they are heading back to Chicago, they stop at Jonamac Orchard. The buses drive out near the pumpkin patch, open the doors and "Look Out!" the kids run, walk, stop, and look, and are amazed at the sight of 5-6 acres of pumpkins. The kids all get to take a pumpkin of their choice back to their homes. It is a great thing to see the excitement of so many kids checking out the patch to get that "just right" pumpkin. It makes for a good end to a great day in the country.

O.J. Cunningham, myself, and many others have lots of cherished memories of the look on the kids faces when they carry their pumpkin to the bus.