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John Pendleton's dad Albert started farming in the Kansas River Valley over 40 years ago on land that once produced mostly potatoes and peas for the local Kaw Valley Cannery that Albert's dad managed. Being a city boy, Albert always wanted to be a farmer, and after WWII, came home to follow that dream. Albert and his wife Lorita, along with their three sons, Jim, John and Scott, farmed what most call "regular farm crops" in thevalley. They raised corn, wheat, soybeans and milo. They also developed a small feedlot, and fed about 500 head of cattle each year.

In the early 1980's (during what is known as "the farm crisis") the Pendleton's, along with many farmers looked for alternative crops to help with the income on the farm. In 1981, John and Karen Pendleton planted their first ½ acre of asparagus.

Today , John, Karen and their three children live together on a much more diversified operation.

Pickers now harvest over 20 acres of asparagus, and customers can pick-your own on five acres. In addition, three varieties of asparagus are propagated for crowns that are sold each February.

The farm still grows corn, wheat and soybeans, but the cattle feedlot has been converted into a parking lot for customers at Pendleton's Country Market. The list of produce has grown to include all kinds of vegetables and flowers, as well as honey and jams made by neighboring growers.

The season starts in April with the asparagus emerging out of the rich soil, and the hydroponic tomatoes being picked in the hothouse. Greenhouses are stocked with bedding plants, herbs, vegetables, annual and perennial flower varieties for gardening customers. May brings rhubarb, other early vegetables and the peony harvest. Some peony stems are sold immediately, others are sold in bulk, still others are kept for later blooming and drying.

During the summer, all sorts of vegetables are harvested from the field, and fresh produce and flowers are taken to Lawrence's Farmer's Market every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday throughout the summer.

Then the garden comes into full color with over 3 acres of flowers. Most are sold at market or used in Karen' s custom floral business.

A new feature developed over the past two years is the summertime Pick-your-own flower patch.

In the fall of the year, dried flowers are the theme. Two open houses and several workshops keep the family farm busy into the holidays.