What Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch does

Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch is a privately held, family-owned agritourism destination and operating farm located at 3902 S. Duncan Road in Champaign, Illinois, on land settled by the Curtis family in 1873 (designated an Illinois Centennial Farm) and converted to an orchard in 1977 when Paul and Joyce Curtis planted 700 trees on three acres. The orchard opened to the public in 1980 — the same year a hailstorm serendipitously produced its signature award-winning apple cider — and today is operated by three generations of the Curtis and Graham families on a single integrated campus combining a 26-variety U-Pick apple orchard, a pumpkin patch, the Wizard of Oz-themed Land of Oz activity area (mazes, inflatables, pony and wagon rides, animal encounters, jumping pillow, mini golf), an on-site bakery (famous for Joyce Curtis's original apple crisp donut recipe plus pies, fritters, and cobblers), the Flying Monkey Café, and the Country Store stocking local honey, Amish canned goods, and specialty foods.

The business runs a highly seasonal July 20 through December 23 operating window with multiple complementary revenue streams: per-person Land of Oz wristband admissions ($10 weekday / $14 weekend) and $45 season passes; U-Pick apple admission at $9 per person including a quarter-peck bag; pumpkin patch pricing of 59¢/lb with a $3.50 minimum; tiered party packages from $45 (Lollipop League) to $330 (Great Oz) plus a $200 pavilion rental; weekday group visit discounts for 10+ at $9/person with add-ons; café entrées in the $9.99-$14.99 range; and bakery/country store retail, including pre-orders via a Square-powered online store and ticketing/booking through FareHarbor and CoaCoaTickets.

Curtis Orchard serves Illinois families with children as its primary segment, with secondary segments of K-8 school groups (weekday educational visits including Farm Bureau Ag Learning Day), birthday party and event hosts, and corporate/group visitors. Customer acquisition is driven by community reputation (46 years of trusted operation, TripAdvisor recognition), organic social on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube, an Apple Alerts text/email subscription service for harvest timing, recurring seasonal events (Story Time, Cookies with Santa), and a community donations program supporting Eastern Illinois Foodbank, St. Jude's, Champaign Park District, and Every Drop Matters (via a portion of U-Pick admissions). The company has 51-100 employees (predominantly seasonal), no external funding, and a deeply embedded position as a regional agritourism anchor.

Name

Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch

Legal name

Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch

Website

https://curtisorchard.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch is a family-owned seasonal agritourism destination in Champaign, IL (operating July through December) featuring U-Pick apples, a pumpkin patch, the Wizard of Oz-themed Land of Oz activity area, an on-site bakery, the Flying Monkey Café, and a country store serving Illinois families, K-8 school groups, and event hosts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agritourism and Family Farm Destination

NAICS

Apple Orchards (111331), Fruit and Tree Nut Farming (1113)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Retail-Miscellaneous Shopping Goods Stores (5940), Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030)

akta.pro primary industry

Farm-to-Table & Agritourism Dining Experiences (Farm Visits, Harvest Meals) (THAJAGAK)

Keywords

• U-pick apple orchard
• Pumpkin patch agritourism
• Family farm activities
• Country store retail
• Seasonal farm destination

Headquarters

HQ city

Champaign

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Activity Admission & Wristbands: Land of Oz Activity Area admission with all-day wristband access. Weekday admission $10 (ages 4-54), weekend $14. Season pass $45 for unlimited visits through November 1. Wristbands include mazes, inflatables, jumping pillow, goat feeding, mini golf, and more.
2. U-Pick Apples: Per-person admission to designated U-Pick orchard areas. $9 per person includes ¼ peck bag (8-10 apples). Kids 3 and under free with paid parent.
3. Pumpkin Patch Sales: Pay-per-pound pricing for pumpkins picked from the vine. 59¢ per pound with minimum $3.50 per pumpkin. Orange, blue, green, and white pumpkins available.
4. Bakery Products: Fresh donuts (apple crisp, glazed, cinnamon sugar), fruit pies, apple fritters, pumpkin bars, cobblers. Pre-order online via Square or purchase on-site. Large orders recommended to reserve in advance.
5. Flying Monkey Café Food Service: Seasonal lunch service August through October. Menu includes Italian Beef ($14.99), pulled pork, bratwurst ($9.99), chili, chicken n' dumpling soup, and sides. Catering available for on-site parties and group visits.
6. Country Store Retail: Retail store selling award-winning cider, local honey, Amish canned goods, apple butter, kettle corn, maple syrup, artisan salsa, jams, candles, toys, and gifts. Gift cards available in any amount.
7. Party Packages: Three party packages: Lollipop League ($45, up to 35 guests), Emerald City ($260, includes 12 child + 12 chaperone wristbands), Great Oz Party ($330, includes meals for 12). Poppyfield Pavilion rental $200. $40 deposit required.
8. Group Visit Bookings: Weekday group discounts for 10+ people at $9/person for Land of Oz wristband. Add-ons include donuts ($1.50), apple sippers ($2.75), apple picking ($3/person with 2 apples), and sugar pie pumpkins ($3 each).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch is a family-run agritourism farm operating seasonally from late July through December. It sells u-pick apples and pumpkins, fresh bakery goods (apple crisp donuts, pies), specialty foods at its Country Store, lunch service at the Flying Monkey Café, and operates the wizard-of-Oz-themed Land of Oz Activity Area with paid wristband admissions, season passes, and party/group bookings.

Product overview

Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch is an agritourism destination and family farm experience in Champaign, IL, operating since 1980. The business operates as a multi-faceted attraction combining retail (Country Store), food service (Bakery and Flying Monkey Cafe), agritourism (U-Pick Apples and Pumpkin Patch), themed entertainment (Land of Oz Activity Area), and event hosting (parties, group visits, seasonal events). The Land of Oz Activity Area offers mazes, inflatables, slides, and animal encounters with weekday and weekend wristband admissions plus season passes. The retail and food operations feature award-winning apple cider, famous apple crisp donuts, fresh pies, and local honey. Online ordering is available through Square e-commerce integration. Group and party bookings are managed through FareHarbor. The operation runs seasonally from July 20 through December 23.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Flying Monkey Café: A whimsical Wizard of Oz-themed café serving lunches including pulled pork, Italian beef, chili, and down-home sides. Led by Café Manager Debbie Graham.
• The Bakery
• Country Store
• The Land of Oz Activity Area

Products and services

• U-Pick Apples Pick-your-own apple experience across 26+ varieties (Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, GoldRush, Pink Lady, etc.) at $9 per person, which includes a quarter-peck bag. A portion of every admission supports the Every Drop Matters nonprofit.
• Pumpkin Patch

Quantifiable outcome

• 46 years of continuous operation building community trust
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Champaign County Farm Bureau Women's CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of Farm Bureau Ag Learning Day educational events at Curtis Orchard. Helps organize agriculture-themed activity stations for children ages 3-8 to explore farming concepts.
• Ag in the ClassroomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner for Farm Bureau Ag Learning Day. Contributes curriculum-aligned content for agricultural education activities.
• Sigma AlphaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural sorority partnering on Farm Bureau Ag Learning Day events. Student volunteers support educational programming.
• 5M FarmsminorOthersProvides pony rides at Curtis Orchard on weekends September 5 - November 1. Operated by 5M Farms. Weight limit 100 pounds.
• Merrybeth Farm Carriage ServiceminorOthersProvides horse-drawn wagon rides on weekends. Excludes Labor Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day. Merrybeth Farm Carriage Service operates rides.
• Every Drop MattersminorOthersNonprofit bringing clean water to those in need. A portion of every U-Pick Apple admission supports this organization.
• Christopher Fuller PhotographyminorOthersProfessional photographer providing photography services during Cookies with Santa event. Print photo packages starting at $23.99.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Eckert's Country Store: Family-owned pick-your-own farm in Belleville, IL operating since 1837. Offers U-pick apples, pumpkins, country store, restaurant, and seasonal events. Closest comparable Midwest destination combining orchard, retail, food service, and agritourism.
• Stade's Farm & Market: McHenry, IL farm offering U-pick apples, pumpkin patch, corn maze, sunflower field, and on-site farm market. Directly comparable model combining apple production, agritourism, and retail in the Chicago metro draw area.
• All Seasons Orchard: Woodstock, IL apple orchard with pumpkin patch, corn maze, bakery, and family activities. Comparable scale and product mix to Curtis Orchard with U-pick apples, fresh bakery, and fall attractions.
• Jonamac Orchard: Malta, IL family orchard with U-pick apples, pumpkin patch, bakery, and Barnacade activity area. Nearly identical business model combining orchard, retail, food, and entertainment.
• Tanners Orchard: Speer, IL family-owned orchard with U-pick apples, pumpkin patch, corn maze, and farm market bakery. Established multi-generational farm directly comparable to Curtis Orchard's operation.
• Royal Oaks Farm: Harvard, IL orchard with apple picking, pumpkin patch, corn maze, and goat yoga. Similar destination farm with agritourism and seasonal activities in the northern Illinois market.
• Honey Hill Orchard: Waterman, IL family orchard with U-pick apples, pumpkin patch, and bakery. Smaller-scale but directly comparable in terms of product mix and Midwest family operation.
• County Line Orchard: Hobart, IN apple orchard with pumpkin patch, bakery, hayrides, and U-pick. Comparable Midwest destination offering similar mix of orchard, food, and family activities.
• Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch: Hampshire, IL agritourism destination with pumpkin patch, apple picking, corn maze, and animal farm. Comparable in the pumpkin patch and fall activity category with on-site retail.
• Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm: Homer Glen, IL pumpkin farm with pig races, hayrides, corn maze, and family activities. Comparable Midwest fall agritourism destination with entertainment-driven model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CurtisOrchard
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CurtisOrchard
• Facebookfacebook.com/curtisorchard
• Instagraminstagram.com/curtisorchard

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch