Ackerman Family Farms in Illinois: History, What It Raises, How It Makes Money and How to Contact It
Profile updated November 2026
Ackerman Family Farms near Morton, Illinois, is a five-generation farm that began in 1911 and grew into a specialty pumpkin grower in the heart of the state's pumpkin country. The farm raised processing pumpkins for the Morton Libby's plant and ornamental pumpkins for retail. In 2025 the owner announced the public side would close, while pumpkin growing and contract crops continue.
| Location | Near Morton, Tazewell County, Illinois, on U.S. Route 150 |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1911 (Growing magazine) |
| Sectors | Processing pumpkins; ornamental pumpkins; corn, soybeans, wheat |
| Scale | Growing reported 300 acres, with 52 in processing pumpkins and 30 in ornamentals; nearly 160 varieties |
| Why it is notable | Five generations; processing pumpkin contracts; large pumpkin program in the top pumpkin state |
| Ownership | John and Yvette Ackerman, as published |
| Official website | Ackerman Family Farms official site |
History of Ackerman Family Farms
Growing magazine reports that John H. Ackerman and Louise Lillian Habeger established the farmstead in 1911, and five generations have lived there. The farm began with corn, cattle and hogs, and John's father Clyde was an acclaimed purebred Yorkshire hog breeder. Processing pumpkins sold to Morton's Libby plant were added in the 1980s.
After farm-crisis losses, John and Yvette chose specialty crops, and in 1999 they started growing ornamental pumpkins for retail. WCBU reported in August 2025 that Ackerman planned a final big public season, closing the public side on Nov. 1, citing age, long hours and rising costs. He said the farm would keep growing crops, including processing pumpkins under contract.
What Ackerman Family Farms Grows and Raises
Growing magazine described about 300 acres, with 52 acres of processing pumpkins and 30 acres of hand-harvested ornamentals that year, plus corn, soybeans and wheat. The farm grew nearly 160 pumpkin varieties, from hand-sized fruit to giants.
Illinois leads the nation in pumpkins, and the Morton area processes most canned pumpkin in the U.S. Ackerman's mix of processing contracts and ornamentals fit that region. Public offerings included a roadside stand, a corn maze, hayrides, a gift shop in a renovated hog shed and school tours for nearly 2,000 children each fall, but WCBU says the public side was set to end in 2025.
How Ackerman Family Farms Makes Money
Processing pumpkins
The farm held contracts with Libby's and expected to pursue similar ones, per WCBU. Contract growing gives a defined market for the crop.
Ornamental and retail pumpkins
From 1999 the farm sold hand-picked ornamentals through a roadside stand, and later added agritourism. This public side is the part announced to close in 2025.
Grain and specialty crops
Corn, soybeans and wheat sat alongside the pumpkins. The coverage does not give sales figures.
Farm Insight: What Other Operators Can Learn from Ackerman Family Farms
The first lesson is to turn a crisis into a niche. After farm-crisis losses, the Ackermans chose specialty crops, and pumpkins grew into the farm's identity.
The second is to read the labor load honestly. Ackerman said long hours and rising costs drove his decision, so retail agritourism needs a plan for labor and succession before it is needed. The third is that contract growing can outlast the public side because it needs fewer people.
A family that started a roadside stand on the honor system learned that Illinois people will pay for a pumpkin even if no one is watching. At farm.FM our farm satire team salutes a man who raised 160 varieties and still had the nerve to grow a giant. We keep the farm humor and ranch humor warm, with farm jokes about Tazewell County squash that arrives on time to the Libby's plant.
For context, farm.FM is the nation's first satirical farm site and the home of Tractor Tunes, country music for farmers. Its contributors each keep an archive, and this one is a good sampler of ranch humor and farm jokes.
How to Contact Ackerman Family Farms
Website: https://www.ackermanfamilyfarmsllc.com/
The public side was announced to close Nov. 1, 2025, so check the official site for current status before visiting. Contact details are on the operation's own website.
Ackerman Family Farms Sources and Agriculture Authority Links
- Ackerman Family Farms - Official site
- Growing magazine feature - Ackerman Family Farms and their famous pumpkins
- WCBU report - Final public pumpkin season
- Illinois Extension - Illinois pumpkins on Thanksgiving tables
- USDA Census of Agriculture - National and state farm statistics
Ackerman Family Farms FAQ
Where is Ackerman Family Farms?
It is near Morton, Illinois, along U.S. Route 150.
When was it founded?
Growing magazine says the farmstead was established in 1911.
Does it still grow pumpkins?
WCBU reported that the owner planned to keep growing crops, including contracted processing pumpkins, after the public side closed.
Is the farm open to visitors?
The public side was announced to close Nov. 1, 2025; check the official site.
Ackerman Family Farms shows how specialty crops can carry a family farm through hard years. For soils, markets and programs across the state, read our Illinois farms guide and the other profiled operations.