It all began with a love story in 2000, when Ryan and Lindsay met by fate.  Ryan and Lindsay married 6 years later and moved to the property at Happy Hollow Family Farms.  Ryan's love of pumpkins and creativity, added to Lindsay's passion of teaching and family wellness, made this pumpkin patch a destiny for Lash family. 

After the first pumpkin patch season in 2010, Ryan and Lindsay were hooked to the labor of love that it takes to grow pumpkins and the Fall weekends spent seeing the community enjoy quality family time while at Happy Hollow.  

Just 4 weeks after the close of their first pumpkin season, their oldest, Harrison, was born.   In 2012, Maebry was born.  Madison was born in 2014 and Ryan and Lindsay found themselves busier than ever.  The Lash family was growing just as fast as the farm!

In 2015, there was a turn of events for the Lash family.  Their youngest daughter, Madison, had a health battle that nobody could've prepared for.  Everything in life came to a halt, including the dearly loved pumpkin patch. After a few years of dedicating all care and focus into the family, Ryan and Lindsay were humbled by God's miracle of healing Madison.  By this time, the family adopted the fact that the necessity of seasons for their pumpkin patch,  are just as relevant to the metaphoric seasons in their own lives!  And just like that, the season of their lives came back around to re-opening Happy Hollow Family Farms pumpkin patch.  

In April 2019, Ryan, Lindsay, Harrison, Maebry, and Madison were back at the farm, planting pumpkins in preparation for pumpkin season.  The entire family worked hard, through the Spring and Summer, to bring the farm back to life.   In September 2019, Happy Hollow reopened!  What a year to pick for a "Grand Re-Opening"!  It was a struggle, but the locals came out with just the right amount of support to make it through the season.  The hayrides, kiddy area, "u-pick" pumpkins, nature walk, corn maze, and concessions were back and better than ever and the public loved the outdoor fun!

As you may know if you visited recently, in 2021, the theme of "growth" at the farm continued.  Adding to the 2020 "Jr. Ninja Warrior Course", the "Bins" were added for concessions!  The Combine Slide and Corn Bin Pit were also added to "Happy's Barnyard" play area, for extra play features.  Another addition was the "Night at the Patch" event, which took off like wildfire and continued into the 2022 season.  After the first ever Date Night in 2022 & 2023, we will be having another this year in 2024.  

As they continue into the 2024 season, the Lash Family has become even more determined to follow God's calling in their lives both on and off the Farm.  The kids are getting older and beginning to become a fundamental puzzle piece to the operations at the pumpkin patch, as Ryan and Lindsay navigate the fragile balance of the farms growth vs the farms content joyful vibe.  Ryan has begun a new journey with a new full time position for IDOT and Lindsay is following her more recent dream of having her own counseling practice, "Harvest of Healing". 

Now that you are all caught up on the making of Happy Hollow Family Farm, you can come enjoy the love that is continuing to be integrated into every aspect of this family owned pumpkin patch!  The journey is still going strong...  2024 is a season for the Lash family to enjoy the true mission of Happy Hollow; shining the light of God's love to each and every family that spends time at the pumpkin patch. 

​The farm will be open every Saturday and Sunday, 11-4, September 14th to October 27th.  This year, events include Opening Weekend featuring Touch a Truck, Date Night, Night at the Patch (Family Fun), and the Annual Festival! School & organization field trips are big part of the farm, as Ryan and Lindsay love the education built into growing pumpkins and welcoming you into their nature playground.  Church groups are at the heart of the family's ministry at the pumpkin patch.  Youth groups come out to enjoy the peacefulness of nature and have fellowship in devotional time. 

The love, hopefulness, and care that goes into each hand planted seed, makes this authentic Illinois pumpkin patch just a little extra special.  With God's grace and mercy, the pumpkin patch will continue thrive.  The Lash family extends a warm welcome to come out during pumpkin season, in whatever season of life you are in!  If you are a visitor at Happy Hollow Family Farms pumpkin patch, you should know that you have been prayed for and you are  part of a bigger blessing.