Gilroy, CA – Uesugi Farms, leading year-round pepper grower and owner of the Uesugi Farms Pumpkin Park in San Martin, California, promoted Crystal Melton to Pumpkin Park Manager last Friday.
Crystal Melton started working at Uesugi Farms 10 years ago as a ticket seller at their renowned, family-friendly Pumpkin Park in south Santa Clara County. As the years went by, her persistence and willingness to take on more responsibility landed her the role of Operations Manager where she managed the scheduling and accounting for Uesugi. Continuing Uesugi’s commitment to employee development and internal hiring, Crystal’s been promoted to Pumpkin Park Manager where she’ll be overseeing the entire Pumpkin Park operation and finding ways to make processes more efficient.
“Since I wasn’t exposed to the prep side of the business in my previous role, I’m beyond excited for this new opportunity as manager of the Pumpkin Park to oversee our planting operations and be there from day one when we plant our marigolds and corn,” said Crystal Melton, Pumpkin Park Manager at Uesugi Farms.
“Crystal’s leadership qualities, strong work ethic and positive attitude made her a natural choice for our Pumpkin Park Manager role. She’s been with us for 10 years now, so she’s seen it all and gained a tremendous amount of experience along the way. It’s really special to see one of our own move up the ladder and we’re thrilled she’s made this journey with us,” said Pete Aiello, General Manager at Uesugi Farms.
The Uesugi Farms Pumpkin Park started in 1985, when they only had the pumpkin patch and no attractions. In the late 1980s, the Aiellos began evolving the park into a favorite Bay Area Fall destination experience by adding the popular trains, hayrides, live entertainment, food and other attractions that exist at the park today. The park has been a staple for Californians for years and, with Crystal’s ideas to benefit the park and its patrons with possible new attractions, will continue to be in the future.
“Change may be scary to some people, but for me it’s opportunity knocking at my door. Even though the Pumpkin Park is already an amazing south county icon, I believe there’s always room for improvement. To get the chance to be a fresh face and add my experience to this already wonderful family venue means the world to me. The Aiellos couldn’t be better people to work for, and I’m both excited and honored to take on this new role,” said Crystal.
Just as the Pumpkin Park has seen repeated growth throughout the years, so has Uesugi Farms. The Gilroy-based grower continues to increase acreage to produce an annual variety of bells, mini sweets and hot peppers and just recently expanded their Napa cabbage to a year-round commodity.
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About Uesugi Farms
Family-owned Uesugi Farms has been in operation for more than four decades. The company relies on its vast experience, wealth of farming knowledge and commitment to quality to deliver impeccable product. The multi-regional operation is spread over 5,000 acres in California, Arizona and Mexico. They annually grow, pack and ship approximately 210,000 tons of bell peppers, chili peppers, Napa cabbage, corn, pumpkins, strawberries, squash and beans.
Source: Uesugi Farms
