The Economic Times

Meet Wayne Fortna, a Pennsylvania teacher who kept one white pumpkin alive for nearly 40 years just for Thanksgiving pie; gardeners can still buy its seeds today

Wayne Fortna cultivated a unique white pumpkin for nearly forty years, ensuring a Thanksgiving pie tradition. After his death, his daughter and volunteer growers continued this legacy. This heirloom variety faced near extinction due to seed mold issues. The Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum's Heirloom Seed Project helped preserve the pumpkin. This effort contributes to the national goal of saving crop genetic diversity.