A seasonal u-pick pumpkin patch with hayrides (horse-drawn and tractor-pulled), a petting zoo, and pony rides — cash and check only, mid-September to mid-October timeframe.
Cash and check accepted
V and J Farms is a seasonal, locally-run operation in Buffalo (Putnam County) focused on u-pick pumpkins, hayrides (both horse-drawn and tractor-pulled options), a petting zoo, and pony rides. The mid-September to mid-October window and limited weekend-plus-Friday-evening hours mean this is not a daily destination, but for families able to visit on the available schedule, the u-pick and animal-interaction focus suits younger kids well.
Friday 5pm–7pm (evening only), Saturday noon–7pm (full day), Sunday 1pm–7pm (afternoon into evening). That is three operating windows, all squeezed into weekends. If your family only has a Friday off, you are limited to a 2-hour evening visit. Saturday is your best bet for a full outing; Sunday is afternoon-only.
This limitation is real for planning. A family with typical weekday work schedules is looking at a Saturday visit, which means you compete with other weekend families. A Friday evening visit is quiet but time-constrained and may not let you get through a full u-pick experience if the field is large or picking is slow.
The core appeal is straightforward: pick your own pumpkins (and pay by weight), ride a tractor-pulled or horse-drawn hayride, pet farm animals, and maybe ride a pony. That mix suits kids 3–10 well. The variety means an hour or two keeps everyone engaged.
The record mentions both options. A horse-drawn hayride is a classic, intimate experience; a tractor-pulled ride is faster and holds more people. Having both lets families choose based on mood and comfort.
These are simple, standard attractions for farms serving young kids. Details on age/size restrictions for pony rides and what animals populate the petting zoo are not published. Call 304-755-4300 and ask.
No card payment is mentioned. You must bring cash or a checkbook. This is unusual in 2026 but not unheard of for small, rural operations. Confirm when you call that this is still the case and ask if there is an on-site ATM.
The timeframe is approximate. 2026 exact opening and closing dates are not confirmed. Call 304-755-4300 and ask when the farm opens and closes this year.
Admission cost, u-pick rates, hayride fees, and pony-ride costs are all absent from published sources. This is frustrating for budgeting. A call is essential. Ask whether u-pick is included with admission or a separate charge — that significantly affects the total cost.
Call 304-755-4300. Ask:
This farm is a solid fit for a Saturday outing with young kids if pricing is reasonable and weather cooperates. The animal interactions and u-pick appeal are genuine. But the limited hours and cash-only payment require planning ahead.
Mid-September to mid-October (approximately September 15–October 15), Friday 5pm–7pm, Saturday noon–7pm, Sunday 1pm–7pm. Limited and late-starting hours mean Saturday is the only full-day window and Friday is evening-only. Call 304-755-4300 to confirm exact 2026 dates.
Two to three hours covers u-pick pumpkins, hayrides, and petting-zoo time. This is not an all-day destination.
Three-day weekly window (Friday evening, Saturday, Sunday). Saturday will draw the most families. Sunday is shorter (ends at 7pm) and may be quieter. Friday evening 5pm–7pm is a niche window (after-work crowd).
Not published. Assume farm parking; October rain may soften ground.
Not specified. Contact the farm at 304-755-4300.
You need weekday daytime hours. The farm operates Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday only. Also skip if you need extensive activities beyond u-pick, hayrides, and petting zoo.
Approximately mid-September to mid-October (specific dates vary by year). Call 304-755-4300 to confirm 2026 opening and closing dates.
Friday 5pm–7pm, Saturday noon–7pm, Sunday 1pm–7pm. Note the late Friday start and Sunday's 1pm start time.
Unclear. Call 304-755-4300 to ask whether u-pick is bundled with admission or a separate charge.
2026 dates had not been published when we last checked. In past seasons it has run: Mid-Sept to mid-Oct: Fri 5-7pm, Sat 12-7pm, Sun 1-7pm. Check with the farm before driving out.
Admission pricing was not published when we last checked. Cash and check accepted
49 Buffalo Road, Buffalo, WV 25033, in Putnam County. It is one of 17 patches we track in West Virginia.
We track 17 patches in West Virginia, 2 of which are free to walk into. The farm has not published a gate price, so it cannot be compared on cost — call before you budget.
What sets it apart locally: it has u-pick fields, farm animals, which most West Virginia patches on our list do not.
One caveat worth repeating: this farm had not published its 2026 dates when we last checked, while 7 of the 17 patches we track in West Virginia had. Treat any date you see elsewhere as last year's until the farm confirms it.
There is 1 other patch we track in Putnam County. All West Virginia patches →
Checked August 2026.