"Ellie the Elephant" ~ Meadowbrook Gourds

Our story begins with one farmer and the seeds from two gourds he found by accident. This accident turned into a dream that has lasted more than twenty years. It was during a trip to New England that he first saw fresh gooseneck gourds. He brought them home to the Central Pennsylvania area to grow and sell fresh in the fall along with pumpkins. The response was overwhelming until other farmers started growing them in the area. Our gourds that were once so special lay in the fields unharvested. Fortunately, but unbeknownst to him, the story was only beginning.

Every crop he normally grew would rot if left on the ground all winter. The gooseneck gourds were the exception. Their wood like shells dried and left him with beautiful shapes to create on. Ben Bear, that one farmer, also had a background in carpentry and in the off winter months tinkered around in his garage building cabinets, desks, and other wooden furniture. In November 1993, using the wood tools on the hard-shelled gourds, he crafted his first creations – bells, tiny birdhouses, and snowmen. This was the beginning of this crazy dream called Meadowbrook Gourds.