Lever Farms

Our take

Lever Farms is an outlier in this batch for one key reason: it doesn’t operate on a walk-in weekend model. It’s a 115-acre working farm that runs Saturday 10am–5pm for public drop-ins, but offers something rarer—weekday by-appointment visits. For families with flexible schedules, homeschools, or groups seeking a quieter farm experience without crowds, that’s the genuine draw.

Why Weekday Appointments Matter

Most pumpkin patches concentrate on Saturday and Sunday, which means crowds, parking waits, and competing for photo spots. A Wednesday morning or Thursday afternoon at Lever Farms would be peaceful, personalized, and educational. If you can arrange a weekday visit—school off, work flexibility, or a homeschool group outing—this farm becomes much more valuable than a standard weekend operation. You get direct interaction with farm staff, potentially personalized wagon rides, and space to explore without jostling for position.

What Activities Are Available

Pumpkin picking (likely U-pick, though pre-picked pumpkins are available at the farm stand), educational wagon rides, farm animals, corn maze, corn pit (a play area for kids to dig in dried corn), pumpkin bowling, and a farm stand. The educational emphasis—“educational wagon ride” is explicit—positions the farm as a learning experience, not purely recreation. This appeals to homeschools and younger kids interested in how farms operate.

The Major Obstacle: No Published 2026 Information

The farm has not published 2026 opening dates or pricing. The website exists (leverfarms.com) and the phone number is current (803.321.5952), but neither provides firm dates or rates. This is a farm you must call before committing to a visit. It’s possible they’re still planning 2026 operations, or they may announce later than typical (mid-to-late September). Don’t assume they’re operating without calling first.

Saturday Public Hours

If you visit on a Saturday without an appointment, the window is 10am–5pm. No evening hours, no early-morning opening. Arrive early to maximize daylight and activity options.

Pricing and Budget Planning

No pricing is available online. Call 803.321.5952 and ask about admission cost, what’s included, whether pumpkin is separate, and whether there are group or homeschool rates. Budget flexibly and plan to confirm the current structure by phone.

Midlands Location and Climate

Pomaria is in Newberry County, off Highway 34, near Chapin and Columbia. It’s rural Midlands, with rolling terrain and clay soil. October weather is mild—daytime highs in the low-to-mid 70s, evenings cool (50s). The farm’s proximity to Columbia (20–30 minutes) makes it viable for day trips from the city, though the weekday appointment option is the main selling point over weekend-only alternatives.

Farm Stand Pre-Picked Pumpkins

Pre-picked pumpkins at the farm stand may offer better selection or pricing than spending 30–45 minutes U-picking, especially late in the season when field selections are picked over. Ask what’s available in the stand when you call.

For Homeschools and Organized Groups

If you’re coordinating a homeschool group, church outing, or small organization visit, mention that when you call. Weekday appointment availability suggests the farm can tailor experiences for group age and interests. Ask about group rates.

Bottom Line

Lever Farms has genuine potential if it’s operating in 2026—the weekday appointment model and 115-acre property offer a quieter, more personalized farm experience than typical weekend-only patches. But operation in 2026 is unconfirmed. Call 803.321.5952 early in September to verify the farm is open, get 2026 dates and pricing, and book a weekday visit if that appeals to you.