By Sarah Richardson
Since they first opened for business in autumn 2021, the Hanna Farmstead has been a popular go-to spot for all the essential fall activities in the Greenbrier Valley. Originally located on James Stuart Road in Lewisburg, the farm has moved to a new and improved location starting this year!
Now at Hillsdale Toll Gate Road in Monroe County, you can find all of the best fall activities you’ve come to know and love from the Hanna Farmstead in a bigger and better location.
“Our pick-your-own pumpkin patch at our last location was one acre, and now our new one here is 3 acres,” said Jade Hanna, who owns the farm with her husband Alex. The reason for the move? Their old farm was on a lease, and when the property in Monroe County came up for sale they couldn’t pass up the chance to own their own land. With 21 acres overall for this season, she said there is a possibility of the farm expanding even further in the future. She reports that a bigger and better kitchen is in the works, and they are renovating an old feed trough to act as a covered seating area.
The kitchen will offer burgers, hot dogs, roasted sweet corn, homemade chicken nuggets, apple cider, their extremely popular pumpkin donuts, and more. With new donut making equipment that can make 1,000 donuts an hour, there will be plenty to go around. The beloved Hanna Farmstead coffee trailer, which currently makes appearances at the farmer’s market each weekend, will also be set up for visitors at the farmstead.
Their new location also offers more parking than before, more seating, and a speedier process for ordering food.
Some fun activities available at the farm include a tire playground for the kids, a bubble station, a photogenic “gourd tunnel,” pumpkin paintball, two corn mazes, wagon rides, pick-your-own sunflowers, and more. Another great feature of their new location is that it is more wheelchair accessible that their first spot. Although the ground is still rugged, as it is a farm, there aren’t as many steep hills. “We will have a few wheelchairs for those who need them,” Alex said.
While there is the pick-your-own option for the pumpkins, complete with wagons to help you haul your finds to your vehicle, there will also be a pre-picked selection for sale. The pumpkins are mixed with a variety of pick-your-own gourds out in the field, but there are pre-picked gourds, as well. A one-acre sunflower field has one side for picking and another for photos!
There is no admission cost to visit the farm, browse pre-picked pumpkins and gourds, and to purchase food, but there is an admission charge to pick-your-own, visit the corn mazes, and participate in the games and festivities.
With the closing of the Lewisburg Lanterns pumpkin patch (behind Seneca Trail Animal Hospital in Lewisburg) and Byrnside Branch Farm (located in Union), pumpkin patch sites in the Greenbrier Valley are few and far between. It’s well-worth the short and scenic drive to Pickaway to the farmstead!
To get to the Hanna Farmstead, drive to Pickaway and turn left onto Hillsdale Toll Gate Road just past Pickaway Pickins, and drive just a minute or two until you see the farm entrance on the left.
The farm will be open starting on September 15, and will stay open each weekend through October 29. Hours are Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 8 p.m.
From their page:
Meet the owners!
Jade works full time as a Sales Representative at a Respiratory & DME Company. In high school, Jade was very passionate about band, choir and color guard. She spent 2 years as an EMT. Jade grew up in Ronceverte with absolutely no knowledge of how a farm works. She often jokes about how her first trip through a corn maze was in heels because she didn’t know what to wear. Now she cuts the mazes herself! She is passionate about marketing and creating fun fall activities for all ages.
Alex is a full time landscaper for Skyscapers at Beech Ridge Wind Farm. He graduated from West Virginia University in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness Management and a Minor in Agriculture and Natural Resource Law. Alex grew up on a Black Angus cow/calf operation in Renick that has been in his family since 1787! Years of selling sweet corn and pumpkins at the farmers market, working on the family farm, being very active in both 4-H and the FFA have caused him to develop a strong passion for agriculture that he wants to share with everyone that visits!
Jade’s talent for baking and her experience serving in Bethesda Church’s cafe inspired her to create all the concessions that their guests now enjoy. Alex’s passion for growing crops and managing the land helps to create a farm experience that you won’t find anywhere else.
Even though West Virginia is deeply rooted in agriculture, many people in our community have never set foot on a farm. The Hanna’s want to make sure each visitor gets a wholesome farm experience where they can see firsthand where their food comes from. They know the importance of family, friends and God and invite you to be apart of it too! They know without a doubt that even though they faced many trials, learning curves, doubts and worries that God has led them here to help their community!
