Keller's Farmstand hosts elementary school fundraisers

What do you get when you cross elementary schools, Fall Festivities, and a family farm with a penchant for community involvement?

You get the perfect environment for fall fundraisers that benefits local schools.

That's what Keller's Farmstand in Oswego has put together for their weekend Fall Festivities, going on now through Oct. 29.

Nearly two dozen schools from Naperville, Plainfield and Oswego districts are sending families to Keller's on designated weekends - with 25% of the ticket proceeds going back to support the schools.

The initiative is the creation of Laura Keller Miller, a former elementary school teacher who joined the family business - but never let go of her passion for education.

"Schools need community support for classroom supplies and all sorts of extracurricular activities," Miller said. "Fundraisers like this can really help enhance the quality of education. We're happy to play our part in supporting these local schools."

Over the summer, Keller's Farmstand reached out to elementary schools in neighboring communities, asking if they'd like to invite their school families to a fun fall outing.

Miller created a flyer for each school to send out. When families from those schools come to Keller's Farmstand in Oswego for the Fall Festivities on their scheduled weekend and mention the name of their school, they are added to the tally for that school - and 25% of their ticket purchases go directly back to the school's PTO, PTA, or HSO.

The families will be coming to enjoy the seasonal sights, sounds and activities of fall on a farm. Their ticket includes everything within the Farmland area at Keller's - including a challenging 8-acre corn maze with a "cryptids" theme. QR codes at checkpoints throughout the maze allow visitors to learn about cryptids as they make their way through the maze.

Also included are a host of friendly farm animals to meet, and a 3-acre play area. Outside Farmland there is more to enjoy - wagon rides, face painting, and pumpkin carving demos on select days - providing tips and inspiration for families who will be carving their own pumpkins at home.

Visitors who want to bring home pumpkins to carve will find that Keller's Farmstand is the place to go. Keller's has a 20-acre U-pick pumpkin patch with an abundance of pumpkins in all shapes, colors and sizes available to purchase.

Families may also choose to go apple picking. For a separate charge, the U-pick apple orchard has acres of apples to pick, with several different varieties available at any given time. Or they may purchase prepicked apples from the Farmstand at Keller's, which is stocked full of unique items to make home cooking better than ever - sauces, dressings, mustards, spices, jams, etc. Nearly everyone takes home some delicious Keller's Farmstand apple cider doughnuts.

"It's all designed to make Keller's Farmstand the place for family fun during the fall season," said Frank Keller IV, one of three generations of Keller family members who are currently working on the farm. "We are very much a part of the communities we live and work in. We love sharing authentic farm experiences with those who come here, and we're excited to give back to our schools as part of that. As we always say here - our family can't wait to welcome your family to the farm!"

The Fall Festivities take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Oct. 29, at Keller's Farmstand, 2500 Johnson Road, Oswego, Illinois, 60543.

School Fall Festivities fundraiser tickets must be purchased at the ticket booth upon arrival during the weekend of the school's fundraiser event.

About Keller's Farmstand

The Keller family has been farming in the western suburbs of Chicago for generations, going back to the 1850s in what is now Naperville. Keller's Farmstand now has locations in Naperville, Plainfield and Oswego. All Farmstands carry fresh items seasonally: flowers, produce, sweet corn, pumpkins, jarred goods, and locally curated specialty items. The Oswego Farmstand is the largest location, with its pick-your-own apple orchard, pumpkin patch, summer flower fields, grassy labyrinths, and Fall Festivities. For more information, visit www.KellersFarmstand.com or .