Funky Pumpkins, Surprising Squashes and Wicked Cool Gourds

As we walked around the farmstand, Farmer Todd Brown was able not only to identify the unusual gourds and squashes on display but to regale me with information about their origins and explain which make for good eating and which are primarily ornamental. This was pretty impressive considering the Browns grow 30 different types of winter squash, 50 varieties of pumpkins and countless cool gourds to sell during the Halloween season. On my tour, I saw gourds native to Japan, Australia and Italy, as well as Native American varieties like the bright orange and green-striped Lakota squash.