Squared Away Acres offers a sustainable way to dispose of old pumpkins

Emma Coffey | @em_coffey

After the Halloween decorations come down, piles of pumpkins end up in the trash or tossed to the side. But one local farm is giving them a new purpose, one that is helping both the environment and farm animals.

Squared Away Acres, located just outside of Lawrence, is currently in the process of collecting old pumpkins through December 3rd. The farm, owned by Janelle Pierson, uses these donated pumpkins as compost for the soil or food for their animals, including pigs and chickens, who look forward to the seasonal treat.

“It’s nutrient dense food for animals when they’re used to getting corn or soy, and it gives them something to look forward to,” Pierson said. “They know as soon as they see it that it’s for them and it’s tasty.”

Additionally, environmental experts say this sustainable approach is helping to cut down on waste and pollution. They say turning old fall decorations into food and fertilizer is a simple way to do something good for the planet.

““What this is doing essentially is taking something that can add to all of the negative things happening in our society with climate change, with excessive waste in landfills, with environmental pollution and turning it into food for living beings and food for the soil,” KU environmental studies lecturer Thumann said.

Pierson says that these pumpkin donations are not only benefiting her farm, but they’re also giving community members the chance to feel more involved by providing a yummy snack for local animals.

“It’s so fun because, I’ll post videos or pictures of the pigs eating it, and it’s just a part of country farm life that people don’t exactly get to have firsthand. So they like to see it in action, and they like to feel like they’re part of it.”

Residents can drop off their pumpkins at Squared Away Acres, or sign up for pickup through the farm’s website. To learn more or schedule a pickup, visit https://www.squaredawayacres.com/contact.