Meet MadMax Farms: Sharing hope with every pumpkin purchase at Moser’s
Did you know MadMax Farms donates 100% of their revenue from pumpkin sales at Moser’s Farm Market to Nationwide Children’s Hospital? It’s part of the amazing story of the Niemeyer family – their loss, faith and desire to give back.
When city-kids Stephanie and Eric met at Ohio University more than 30 years ago, they never imagined how tragedy would fall upon their future young family – changing their lives forever and shifting them into a new world of farming.
Their son Maxwell was born in 1999, and shortly after birth he was diagnosed with Lissencephaly, a rare neurological disorder that left little hope for his development and cognitive function. Max passed away five years later, leaving Stephanie, Eric and young daughter Madison with a heartbreaking loss.
MadMax Farms plants its first seeds
The following year, in 2005, the Niemeyer’s channeled their grief into starting a farm operation -- naming it MadMax Farms in tribute to Max and in honor of Madison.
“I always had a passion for agriculture and an appreciation for rural heritage,” says Eric. “It was a life dream to farm, and after the loss of our child, we decided the best way forward was living out our dream. We were looking for some way to give back … for some way to give hope to others … that desire and our faith pushed us in this new direction.”
During that first year of farming, the Niemeyer’s decided to plant an extra 1.5 acres in their front yard with pumpkins. “Fall is our favorite time of year so we started a pumpkin patch – we felt it was something kids and parents could do together.” And be a special way to remember Max. When the pumpkins ripened, the Niemeyer’s accepted donations for their labor of love, giving it all back to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the place that provided critical treatment to Max and support to the family.
Each year as the farming operation grew, so did the pumpkin patch -- under the devoted tending of Eric, Stephanie and Maddy. Other family members joined the efforts, including Eric’s late father, Richard, who could often be seen in the fields planting seeds and running farm equipment, as well as friends, Brian and Wendy Ehmer. For several years, the Niemeyer’s held a Harvest celebration every September for neighbors, friends and the Delaware community – growing at one point to hosting well over 3,000 people at the farm. The annual fundraiser continued to support the medical care being provided at Nationwide Children’s.
Joining efforts with Moser’s to help even more kids
Then, in 2018, Eric introduced himself to new neighbors Christina and Brad Moser, who were in the process of renovating their barn to create a farmer’s market in Powell. “Part of our mission at Moser’s is to connect the area with the farmers growing our produce,” says Brad. “We get excited every time MadMax pulls in with another wagonload of pumpkins. It’s a way to bring happiness and fun to families this time of year while allowing the Niemeyer’s to help even more children throughout our area and beyond. It’s an awesome match, and we’re honored to partner with them each Fall.”
This year alone, MadMax Farms is expected to supply more than 5,000 pumpkins to Mosers – with varieties including Jack-O-Lanterns, Cinderella stackers, Lunar whites and more. Most recently, Mad Max Farms’ financial donations to Nationwide Children’s have focused on supporting the expansion of the Ronald McDonald House there, a home-away-from-home for families needing to travel for their child’s medical needs. Eric shared that this year they increased their pumpkin patch to more than eight acres as the family hopes to make an even greater impact.
“I think Max would be so proud of what we’re doing here. He would be ecstatic to see the farm – and I think he would have taken pride in seeing that people care … and that there is hope.”
“Meet Our Farmers” regularly features the local farmers who bring you “farm fresh, flavor first” produce at Moser’s Farm Market. MadMax Farms is located in Delaware County and utilizes a regenerative management philosophy for their growing. They produce approximately 750 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat/small grains, pumpkins and sweet corn.
Stephanie, Richard and Maddy Niemeyer planting pumpkins.
Eric, Stephanie and daughter, Maddy, during their first year of farming.
Eric and Brad by one of the pumpkin wagons. Today, Mad Max Farms supplies more than 5 varieties of pumpkins in its partnership with Moser’s Farm Market.
