Radar Family Farms
Rader Family Farms’ third generation continues to grow the family’s specialty farm and agritourism business along with a corn-soybean farm in McLean County. Arin Rader, far left, handles the row crops. Amy Hughes and Adam Rader oversee the specialty farm operation. (Photos by Catrina Rawson)
McLean County farmer Lynn Rader looks over some mini pumpkin varties grown on Rader Family Farms near Normal. Rader launched the family’s specialty farm operations with a bumper crop of garden pumpkins on a hayrack wagon in his front yard. (Photo by Catrina Rawson)
Bothers Arin, left, and Adam Rader look over one of the newest crops on their specialty farm near Normal. For the first time, farm customers can pick zinnia bouquets while shopping for pumpkins, gourds, and other fall décor. (Photo by Catrina Rawson)
From the Cultivating Our Communities Stories series BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek
Fall traditions, education grow on Rader Family Farms
Visitors to McLean County’s Rader Family Farms not only come away with pumpkins and traditional fall experiences but also learn about Illinois crops.
“Education is one of our core values to pass on,” said Adam Rader, who with his sister, Amy Hughes, oversees the family’s specialty farm and agritourism operation near Normal. Their brother, Arin Rader, who serves on the McLean County Farm Bureau board, oversees the family’s 2,500 acres of corn and soybeans.
Starting its 13th season near Normal, Rader Family Farms grows 100 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds on roughly 30 acres and a 10-acre corn maze. Visitors may pick their own pumpkins or buy harvested ones. For a second year, the family grew 2.5 acres of sunflowers and added patches of zinnias this year.
Through Oct. 31, the farm is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays, and Columbus Day, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Find updates and details online, Raderfamilyfarms.com, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
This year, the Raders added a display of edible squash and pumpkins. “We have the top 12 edibles and tie in recipes for all 12. We help you know how to fix them,” Amy said.
Open daily rain or shine, the corn maze becomes more challenging after dark when popular flashlight experiences are offered on selected weekends. Nearly 500 visitors took on the challenge the first night, although the night maze can attract several thousand visitors in an evening.
The 50-acre agritourism area includes a variety of educational exhibits, play areas, and activities, including an animal barn, straw castle, and jumping pillow.
Unique educational exhibits provide visual learning experiences for visitors of all ages. “We offer a lot of ag education to inform people where their food comes from,” Arin said.
For example, a crop circle gives visitors a glimpse of growing sorghum and other widely grown crops along with seeds for each, background information plus a state map indicating where they’re grown.
Another area provides a walking tour of different tree species. A new digital beehive lets visitors gain a bee’s eye-view of a working hive.
With all the on-farm education, it’s not surprising the farm draws many classes and youth groups. Amy estimated 5,000 kids and their parents would come each fall before the pandemic. Now that schools have reopened, school field trips are returning, she said, and coming from as far as 90 minutes away.
“We have great teachers who help us educate students on the farm,” Amy added.
At the on-farm Pumpkin Barn, visitors can shop for fall decorations, foods, and gift items or purchase coffee, hot cider, and bakery items. On weekends, six locations around the farm sell food and drinks.
A photo display shares how Lynn and Linda Rader inadvertently launched an agritourism business by putting some of their garden’s bumper pumpkin crop on a wagon in the front yard.
“It was kind of an accident, but it was meant to be,” Amy said.
Visitors may shop for pumpkins and fall decor or buy coffee, lunch, dinner and the farm’s famous donuts without paying admission. The farm makes a great location for group day trips, Amy said. “We want groups of all ages to have plenty of fun,” she said.
Admission is charged to enter the agri-entertainment area and to participate in activities like the corn maze. Tickets may be purchased online. Admission costs $15.95 for ages 5 to 64 and $8 for 65 and older. Admission is free for active duty, veterans, U.S. military, National Guard & Reserve with proof of service or a valid military ID.
Season passes sell for $55 for ages 5 to 64 and $25 for those 65 and older.