Torgerson's Equipment Gives 600 Pumpkins to Helena First Graders

Torgerson’s Equipment delivered pumpkins to every first grader in Helena Public Schools over a two-day period, providing roughly 600 gourds to students to bridge the gap between the classroom and the farm, MTN News reported.

This annual tradition serves as a tactile lesson in agriculture for six- and seven-year-olds who may have little first-hand experience with food production. By placing a physical crop in the hands of every child, the program transforms a seasonal decoration into a primary scientific specimen. For the students, the stakes are simple: the excitement of ownership and the discovery of how a seed becomes a meal.

From Seven Pumpkins to 45,000

The scale of the operation has shifted dramatically over the last two decades. What began as a modest donation of seven pumpkins for first graders in Great Falls has evolved into a statewide logistical effort. Today, the program distributes approximately 45,000 pumpkins to first graders across Montana.

A gourd time for learning: pumpkins make their way to Helena first graders

This year, the reach expanded further, with deliveries extending to first graders in East Helena and Montana City. The pumpkins are sourced from Hutterite colonies located outside of Great Falls, ensuring the produce remains local to the region.

“So being able to meet with all the first graders and explain where they come from and give them some of the background on it is, you know, bringing agriculture back into the classroom,” said Craig Widhalm, the office manager for Torgerson’s Equipment.

The Classroom as a Laboratory

The pumpkins aren’t just for porch displays. Educators are using the deliveries to anchor several different learning objectives. Some students will paint or carve their pumpkins, while others will use them for biological study, dissecting the gourds to learn about plant anatomy.

The program also tackles the “where does my food come from” question—a critical gap in modern civic and nutritional literacy. First grader Kannon Schlosser summarized the process as farmers using seeds, water, and sunlight to grow the crop, noting that the pumpkin must be cooked before it can be turned into pumpkin pie.

Jazmyn-Rae Phillips, a first grader, noted her excitement stems from the dual utility of the pumpkin: “You can eat it and carve it.”