BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. — The day after Halloween means it's time to clear out the pumpkin patches, and one local church is putting the leftover pumpkins to good use.
Local farmers will clear out all of the pumpkins at the patch at Northeast United Methodist Church this week to feed to their farm animals.
"We're just really grateful that we can do this because it is a bonus every year," said Abbie Kowalke, owner of Crazy Chic Heritage Farm in Ridgeway. "This is the first day that we can pick up the pumpkins from the patch. Anything that's left over at the end of the season is a fresh pumpkin for us."
Kowalke introduced Edward Blessing, another farmer in Blythewood, to this partnership between pumpkin patches and local farmers.
"When fall comes around and winter sets in, some of the grasses die back, and so the animals can really take advantage of eating the pumpkins," said Edward Blessing, owner of Deckle Edge Farm said.
Both farmers tell News 19 the free pumpkins for their animals helps their budgeting, to. And pumpkin seeds act as a de-wormer for their goats in the fall and winter.