Times are tough for small business owners throughout the country.

Young Parker Jones is hoping he’ll have a bumper crop of customers this year so he’ll have a healthy bottom line.

Press readers may remember the story about young entrepreneur Parker Jones and his prolific and profitable pumpkin patch.

Parker, now a second-grader at Olney Elementary School in Northwood, once again planted up a patch of pumpkins – 18 different kinds, in fact, not to mention five different kinds of gourds.

Now that Parker is older, he has learned to operate the roto-tiller and can’t wait to start working the big tractor, his dad, Jim, said. Throughout the summer, he tended attentively to his crops. His agricultural education also included a lesson about pollination via some borrowed honeybees from a Northwood beekeeper.

Luckily, he got his crops planted early, and the early rains followed by the dry spell have resulted in pumpkins that are lighter in weight, but prettier, Jim said.

Parker’s pumpkins are available at 4508 Curtice Rd., between Bradner and Coy. Once again, the pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn and other items are available on a self-service basis, with payment on the honor system. “We haven’t had any problems with people taking pumpkins and not leaving the payment,” Jim said. “I told Parker, if someone takes something and doesn’t pay for it, they probably need it more than we do.”

The extra year of experience and schooling under his belt has helped Parker improve his math skills, just in case he does have to make change.

Like any good businessman, Parker is working on marketing. He has looked into advertising and also recorded a 30-second commercial for K-100 radio station to promote his growing business.

After the books were closed on last year’s season, Parker was able to purchase a much-coveted scooter, and also to start a Roth IRA and an educational IRA, both of which can be used for college, Jim said. “Unfortunately, his investments are down, but I guess he gets to feel just like everyone else in regards to the market.”

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