A Legacy of Farming & Family

Rader Family Farms is a 4th-generation family farm built on hard work, faith, and a love for agriculture. Our roots date back to 1935 when our family farm was known as the Plainview Guernsey Dairy Farm. For decades, our family milked cows and raised crops to feed our herd, with little going to market. Our dad, Lynn Rader, and his six younger siblings grew up on the farm, showing cows in 4-H and embracing the daily demands of dairy life.

In 1971, after the passing of our grandfather, Glenn Rader, the cows were sold, and our farm transitioned to grain production. Since then, we have grown into a 2,400-acre grain farm, harvesting corn and soybeans across McLean and surrounding counties. Today Arin Rader, leads the grain farming operation with support from Lynn, Adam Rader, and a hardworking team.

The Pumpkin Patch That Started It All

The pumpkin side of our business began in the most unexpected way.  One year, Lynn Rader had a bumper crop of pumpkins and decided to sell the extras on a hayrack in the front yard, using an honor system payment box.

Over the years, Lynn continued expanding his pumpkin crop, planting more varieties and increasing acreage. What we didn’t expect was how families lingered—watching their kids play, visiting our animals, and simply enjoying the farm atmosphere. Seeing this, we slowly added agritainment elements like a corny bin and a small straw castle, offering a place for families to have fun while picking out pumpkins.

Fast forward to today, and Rader Family Farms has grown into an 80-acre agritainment destination, featuring:

• 30 acres of ornamental pumpkins & gourds
• 10 acres of U-Pick pumpkins
• 10-acre corn maze
• 3,000 apple trees
• Over 50 farm-themed activities for families to enjoy

Our Mission

At Rader Family Farms, our mission is simple:
To connect the community to the farm through the influence of Faith, Family, and Fun.

We believe that agriculture matters and that families should have opportunities to experience farm life, make memories, and understand where their food comes from. Our tagline, “Harvesting Memories,” is more than just words—it’s what we hope every visitor takes home with them.

The Heart of Our Business: The 4 Pillars

Food

Food is a big part of the Rader Family Farms experience.  With families spending 5-6 hours on the farm, we offer delicious farm-fresh meals, snacks, and treats across our five food venues including our Harvest Brew Coffee Shop & Bakery.  On a busy weekend, a team of 50+employees serves up everything from burgers to pulled pork bbq to fresh-baked donuts and sweet treats!

Field Trips

Each fall, we welcome over 5,000 students, parents, and teachers for hands-on farm education. Through our field trips, kids learn about agriculture in central Illinois, bridging the gap between city life and the farm. We believe that real-life experiences make the best classrooms!

Agritainment

Agritainment is at the core of what we do. With over 50+ farm-themed activities, from giant slides to barnyard animals and the corn maze, there’s something for every age. Each year, we add new attractions to keep the experience fresh for returning families.

Retail & Pumpkins

Our farm-grown pumpkins and produce are a huge part of our business.  Every pumpkin is hand-picked, hand-washed, and displayed with care, featuring over 75 unique varieties. Our Farm Market & Gift Shop also showcases local artisan goods, fresh honey, home-canned salsa, jams, jellies, and fall-themed décor.