Illinois Farm Loses 95% of Pumpkin Crop to Thieves

An Illinois family farm lost nearly 95 percent of its pumpkin crop after thieves entered the field and stole almost 200 pumpkins.

Meyers Family Farm, owned by Vicky and Tyler Meyers, is in Capron, about 77 miles northwest of Chicago. The farm planted roughly 1,000 pumpkins in its first season, a crop that was not insured. The thieves took the farm’s regular orange pumpkins but left specialty varieties that had already been harvested.

The theft occurred just before the farm’s first Boone County Farm Stroll, an event where families could pick pumpkins. The farm cancelled pumpkin‑picking at the event and said other customers with existing orders would be contacted about refunds. In a September 24 Facebook post the family noted, “Financially, this is not a setback for our farm. We will continue to move forward, learn from this season, and prepare for the next,” adding that the most painful aspect was the loss of a chance for families and children to enjoy the pumpkins and create memories. The family also reported that several other farms in Capron and nearby Poplar Grove have experienced similar crop thefts. They urged residents to report suspicious activity rather than confront suspects, describing the thieves as men around 30 years old who may be driving a silver, four‑door truck.

Despite the loss, the farm received support from local growers and was able to participate in the Boone County Farm Stroll after TJ’s Market and Twisted Root offered to share their pumpkin crops. The family said, “That kindness means more than we can say.” They plan to remain open with specialty pumpkins and other fall crops and to install security cameras, according to an ABC7 WLS interview. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office, however, told The Independent that it never received a report about the incident. The Independent has reached out to the Meyers Family Farm for comment.