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OREM — Piles of pumpkins in Darrell "Bud" Durrant's yard means business as usual for the Orem farmer who has been hocking the orange squash every September and October for the past 20 years.
That tradition — and the income it generates for Durrant and his wife — was almost put to an end earlier this year when the city enforced a zoning law that only permits people to sell produce from their homes if they grow the crops on the property. Durrant grows his pumpkins on a farm outside the city.
"This subsides our income so we can have a little bit of enjoyment in our life along with other people," he said.
Since hearing it was possible he could be shut down, Durrant has "jumped through hoops" to be able to stay in business. So, he says, has the city.
"The city, I have to admit, since this incident occurred has bent over backwards," he said.
The city, I have to admit, since this incident occurred has bent over backwards.
–- Darrell "Bud" Durrant
The city granted a temporary reprieve in August that allowed him to continue to sell his goods for this year. The council will review his case in January of next year to decide how they will move forward.
In recent days, members of the city council have stopped by to patronize Durrant's small business and show their support. And with recent media attention, Durrant has seen new faces come and pick out their very own pumpkin.
"This year, rather than staying kind of close to home, I thought…. let's go support that sweet man in Orem who's been through so much. and let's go buy our pumpkins from him," said Sue Magleby, who visited Durrant's front yard for the time.
City officials say they received a complaint about congestion and traffic in Durrant's neighborhood due to his pumpkin sales, which is why the city cracked down in the first place.
Durrant said he would be pretty brokenhearted and just plain broke if they hadn't been accommodating.
"It probably would put us right down totally in the poverty level," he said.
Durrant has kept planting and harvesting all these years because of the thrill he gets in seeing members of the community enjoy his fare.
"This is a child's world, this is where children come," he said. "It's just been absolutely wonderful."
Email:mfarmer@ksl.com
