وحيث أن, an increasing number of Virginia farmers have effectively utilized the Commonwealth’s favorable environment for growing pumpkins, taking advantage of higher elevations and cooler temperatures, to produce a high-value crop beloved by consumers; and

وحيث أن, in 2021, Virginia farmers harvested 4,700 acres of pumpkins with fresh market production valued at $14.8 million; and

وحيث أن, in 2020, Virginia ranked fifth nationally in pumpkin cash receipts, thanks to the nearly 400 commercial pumpkin growers across the Commonwealth; and

وحيث أن, pumpkins are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to boost immune systems, protect eyesight, lower the risk of certain cancers, and promote heart and skin health; and

وحيث أن, pick-your-own pumpkin farms provide a family-friendly, outdoor experience that showcases Virginia farms and agritourism enterprises; and

وحيث أن, the marketing of pumpkins, related fall crops and other merchandise through festivals, direct sales and buyer contacts, along with the expanded production of pumpkins in recent years, provide an additional income stream for many Virginia agricultural producers and supports the agriculture industry overall; and

وحيث أن, يُعد شهر اليقطين فرصة للاعتراف بعمل أولئك الذين يزرعون اليقطين ويحصدونه، وبقيمة اليقطين بالنسبة لسكان فيرجينيا; 

ولذلك، فإنني، جلين يونغكين، نعترف بموجب هذا بأكتوبر 2022، باسم شهر الخوخ في مقاطعة فيرجينيا المشتركة، وأود أن ألفت انتباه جميع مواطنينا إلى هذا الاحتفال.