As the calendar turns to September and the weather starts to cool, many families make plans to head to area farms to enjoy seasonal baked goods and purchase fall décor. But admission to some of the larger "agritainment" farms can be cost prohibitive for large families and families on tight budgets.

Ruth and Dave Blodgett remember the feeling well. The parents of six children, they both worked full time -- and then some. "There was always a need for money," Ruth said.

That's why Blodgett Family Farm, their farm in Parma, has no admission fee. "We want to be an experience for families who can't afford it," Ruth said.

The focus is on harvest rather than Halloween, and you won't find attractions like giant slides or corn mazes. But children can play on a playground, go on a scavenger hunt and interact with goats and mini-donkeys.

Seasonal goodies include Ruth's fudges, whoopie pies, cakes, breads, cookies and fry pies. On top of that are baked goods from Zarpentine Farms R&K: Homemade donuts, apple fritters, pies and breads.

And when it comes to picking out a pumpkin, there's a huge variety and every one -- including the big ones and the fancy decorator ones -- is priced at $5 and under.

Dave and Ruth Blodgett were high school sweet hearts in Hilton who married at 19; they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Growing up, Dave had enjoyed visiting his uncle's farm and working there with his cousins, and aspired to have a farm of his own. In 1989, the couple bought a farmhouse on 50 acres in Parma. They farmed there for the next 6 years, but with more than two full-time jobs and 6 kids, they found that it was too much.

"We'll have time," they reasoned.

In the meantime, Dave worked in the supermarket business, first for Big M, followed by Tops Friendly Markets, where he worked for almost 30 years.

Ruth worked in the Tops bakery and had her own day care center before becoming a published author. Beginning in 2001, she started waking before dawn to write inspirational fiction. She has since published more than 70 Christian romance novels and novellas under the pen name Ruth Logan Herne, a combination of her and her mother's maiden names.

Ten years ago, Dave and Ruth resumed farming their land and opened Blodgett Family Farm. "We are having a ball," Ruth said.

Initially they grew a variety of vegetables and crops, but in 2018 they narrowed their plantings to pumpkins, squashes, gourds, mums as well as some sunflowers "for a pretty backdrop" Ruth said.

They priced their pumpkins at $5 and under -- including the flat "stackers" that were pricey at other places. "This is what made everyone go crazy," she said. "People kept sharing it on social media."

Now they grow more than 50 kinds of pumpkins and squashes, and even help growers test new varieties.

Ruth and Dave are both 70 years old, and Ruth emphasizes that the farm wouldn't be possible without help from family, friends and "local kids." Among their helpers are their 14 grandchildren, 11 of whom live in Western New York.

"This does take a lot of time," Ruth said. "There's way too much for two people. It's definitely a family project to the max."

Blodgett Family Farm is at 723 Parma Center Road in Parma. It is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Labor Day through Halloween. Call (585) 455-1035. It accepts cash, Venmo and Paypal.

Accessibility: It does not have a paved driveway and uses a lot of wood chips on the ground, so it could be challenging for people who use wheelchairs and scooters.

Tracy Schuhmacher covers Rochester's food and drink scene; before joining the D&C she worked for a local farm. Send story tips to [email protected].