Schnepf Farms
Arizona's Best Family Experience!
"Where We Preserve History and you Create Memories"
Who We Are
from L to R; Connor, Mark, Grayson, Carrie, Christine, Jason, Luis (Front Row sitting) McCall, Hayden and
Schnepf Farms History.
Mark and Carrie Schnepf with their four children are the sole operators of Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek
1941 was the year that Ray and Thora Schnepf (Mark's parents) were asked by their parents (Mark's grandparents) to spend their honeymoon night in a one room shack in the middle of the desert in a place they called Rittenhouse. All these farmers had foresight and didn't mind that special honeymoon night on this farm in a one room shack with their farmhand sleeping outside. All the land in Queen Creek was known as the desert, but the soil was very sandy making it some of the best farmland in the state. so in order to start farming. The sandy soil made it perfect for growing onions, sweet corn and potatoes. But this farm survived on other crops such as corn, wheat, cotton and palm trees. Ray was always trying to diversify, he started planting Queen Palms in a big field, then pine trees and Mexican Fan Palms. Not knowing how to sell them, he just knew with all the development and building in the early 70's people are going to want palm and pine trees. And he was right. The little place they called Rittenhousewas thriving
.
Mark Schnepf and a few of his friends looked into the future of this small farming community which was on the verge of being swallowed up by Mesa and Gilbert. So they began the incorporation process and Rittenhouse became the Town of Queen Creek in 1989. Mark Schnepf served as the town's first Mayor for 11 years. His direction and extensive planning to keep Queen Creek from getting too overgrown was a priority. He loved the community he grew up in and with smart planning it could stay that way, but with a few extra amenities. He went on to Chair the League of Cities and Towns, and Williams Gateway Airport Authority Governing Board. He was well respected as a politician winning numerous awards including: "Exemplary Commitment to the spirit of regionalism." Desert Peaks Award for Regional Excellence, In 1997 he was presented with the American Hometown Leadership Award in Washington DC. He was also selected by the Arizona Republic as the best Public Official in November 1997. He graduated from Valley Leadership and Project Central. He now has put his busy political life aside and focuses entirely on the farming operation. He also gets to spend more time with his wife and four children. He says with the growth that has engulfed this town, and it will continue to grow, "Our goal is to leave a legacy of "farm life" for Queen Creek residents and the many families who visit the farm for generations to come. "
Photo taken 1999
When Mark and his father Ray farmed this land several years ago, they were large commercial potato farmers (actually Queen Creek was known as the Potato Capital of the World because of the number of potato farmers in the area and amount of acreage being farmed in potatoes.) In the early years Mark's uncle and mother were all involved in the farming operation. But as times changed in the 80's, so did farming and it became more and more difficult to produce crops and make money so it was time to diversify (which Ray began by opening a tree farm and starting Country Thunder in 1994. In the early 1990's, Schnepf Farms experienced three major potato crop failures, one year after another. It was the last year we grew potatoes commercially. it was now time to downsize and look at other ways to keep the farm alive. Mark and his wife turning to "entertainment." Trying to encourage people to drive out to the farm for a farm experience. We added farm animals, giant slides and play yards, our first big purchase was a narrow guage train that drove a mile around the park, then we added a carousel, picnic areas, moved farm buildings from other farms that have been sold, always keeping our garden growing and planting more peach orchards. We are now one of the largest Agri-tourist farms in the countries that offers rides and agriculture, and we are the largest Peach Grower in the State of Arizona.
A few photo's from about 5 to 7 years ago.
Creating Witch Mountain Giant Slide. We saw one on a farm, but the farm was on the side of a mountain. So we had to build our mountain. 
Our Schnepf Fort built in 1999. It was closed down, but is being reopened this year.
. 
Land was sold as the farm downsized and agri-tourism began. Festivals and events. The first big musician festival we brought to our farm was Country Thunder USA. WE cleared 250 acres, built a beautiful stage and helped with a show that brought every big name for country talent on the to Queen Creek and our farm. The transition from commercial farming to entertainment farming is an on-going process and a very slow process, but it is a chance to keep the farm alive for the 5th generation.
Recently Queen Creek became a boom. Thousands and thousands of acres were sold to commercial developers, housing projects etc, etc."We were constantly asked to sell our land," says, Mark Schnepf "We wouldn't keep doing this if we couldn't see the "fruits" of our labor, watching families create memories , makes it all worth the hard work," says Schnepf. New projects are always being talked about and what can happen on the farm. It's going to be a lifelong project.
In October 2006 Schnepf Farms was designated as an "Arizona Treasure" by the Governor Janet Napolitano and Arizona Office of Tourism. As family farms in Arizona disappear, Schnepf Farms continues to developer and thrive by creating a place where people from all over can visit, get educated and be entertained all while visiting a farm. In 2006, Schnepf Farms celebrated 65 years of farming. Mark Schnepf says he hopes people will be able to enjoy his family farm for another 65 years. To read more press releases or to find out what awards and articles have been written about Schnepf Farms, click on Media Coverage.
Grayson Schnepf enjoying a ride on the Electric Hummer driven by Governor Napolitano (Oct. 2006) during her Arizona Treasure award visit.
The Transition from commercial farming to "entertainment" farming has been going on for over 12 years.
Even though many of the new attractions are rides, everything is planned around existing orchards and gardens. "Farming will always be our foundation as we continue to add buildings, rides, etc. we will never forget that we are farmers. Our goal is to never forget that our foundation is farming and our future will also be in farming, but in an entertaining and educating way. " says Mark Schnepf. Today Schnepf Farms is enjoyed by almost a quarter of a million people during their season. October - December, April & May. They educate over 30-thousand school children about vegetable farming and entertain thousands more with their festivals in October, December & May.
|
In Loving Memory of Thora Irene Schnepf August 3, 1922 - March 23, 2004 |
| This photo was taken only one month before Thora Schnepf passed away. Mark and Thora are sitting in front of the Schnepf Farmhouse Museum (Now open Saturdays and Sundays ) This house used to be the original farm house that Ray and Thora Schnepf lived in for 16 years. The house still has it's original hardwood floors and cedar closet. When visiting the farm, make this a MUST STOP to learn the history of Schnepf Farms and the family. |
(Connor celebrating his 11th birthday with Dan Majerle and friends; and McCall and Hayden enjoying a Suns Game with the Gorilla, enjoying being "HIGH-FIVE" Kids at the Phoenix Suns Game during the Playoffs.)
Our Mission Statement : To provide quality family entertainment in a safe farm setting. To educate and inform the public on Arizona agriculture. Our goal is preserve not only a little history of our farming community of Queen Creek, but preserve a true family farm, our home.
Schnepf Farms
Schnepf Farms Farm Park is open September - June with Seasonal Events in the Fall & Spring.
"Fresh from the Farm" Restaurant is open year around closing 2nd & 3rd week in July
Driving Address:: 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road
Queen Creek, AZ 85242
Mailing Address:: 22601 East Cloud Road
Queen Creek, Arizona 85242
480-987-3100
Email: schfarm@earthlink.net