PENDLETON — It was a cold rainy Sunday at Smith Family Farms and Pumpkin Patch, but that didn’t stop families from enjoying all the farm has to offer. Located just west of Pendleton, the Smiths have been entertaining and educating kids and their parents for 19 years.

“We try every year not to be bigger but better,” said Jennifer Smith, daughter-in-law of farm owners Mike and Linda Smith.

This year the farm has added to its petting zoo.

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Some of the animals in the zoo have been borrowed, such as the llama.

Jennifer Smith, who manages the patch and works other parts of farm business, said they have a big Tom turkey, a mini horse and mini donkey, and baby sheep and calves among other farm animals.

Because of the coronavirus, they have decided not to do pony rides this year.

A big attraction at the farm is the corn maze.

Every year, owner Mike Smith helps plan how the maze will be designed.

This year he wanted to honor his grandson, Miller.

Miller Smith graduated from Pendleton Heights High School in the spring and studies at Purdue University.

From the sky, the maze reads “Good Luck Miller, Boiler Up.”

In early spring when the corn is about 3 feet tall, Smith goes out with his tractor and cuts the words into the field. That field is planted later than the others so it will stay green longer, it is the last field harvested in the fall.

Chris Gardner helps out with the hayrides.

Gardner goes along on the ride, and explains how a working farm operates and tells a little history about the Smith Farm.

“Our goal is to educate”, Jennifer said. “We have children come here who have never seen a real working farm and have no idea what we do.”

Opening day — much better weather-wise — was Saturday, Oct. 3.

The farm welcomed about 900 guests that day from across the state.

“Although that sounds like a lot of people, they didn’t all come at once and there was plenty of social distancing”, Smith said.

The farm has been in the Smith family for seven generations.

The original deed is on sheepskin and was signed by President Andrew Jackson.

Currently, the farm is home to three generations: Mike and Linda Smith; son and daughter-in-law, Neal and Jennifer Smith; and three grandsons Mitchell (wife Courtney), Mason and Miller.

Currently the Smiths raise corn, soy beans, wheat and hay on 3,000 acres of land.

Jennifer and Neal’s middle son, Mason, attends Ball State and is studying supply chain logistics.

“The Pumpkin Patch has paid for my sons college,” Jennifer Smith said.

During the rest of the year, Smith is busy showing cattle at shows all over the country. She also owns Smith Meat Market in Pendleton.

Smith Family Farms and Pumpkin Patch will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through October.

The last day will be Oct. 31. Admission costs $6 per person. A concession stand is available with burgers, nachos and other treats.

The farm is open for field trips the rest of the week. As a COVID-19 safety precaution, those trips are scheduled so there is no overlapping of classes.