The Midwestern state accounts for the largest share of American pumpkins, producing 41 percent of the nation’s crop last year, according to data from the U.S.

Pumpkins are grown in almost every state, but the weather conditions in Illinois are part of the reason the state produces so many, said Mac Condill, owner of the Great Pumpkin Patch in Moultrie County, Illinois.

Across the state, Illinois farmers planted more than 20 square miles of pumpkins, according to the 2017 agricultural census, the most recent one available.

According to data from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Illinois planted almost 8 square miles of sugar pumpkins this year, far more than the one-half square mile planted by runner-up, Texas.

Brown said the plant produces 85 percent of the canned pumpkin sold in the United States.

"We are technically known as the pumpkin capital of the world," Brown said, adding that former Illinois Gov.

Tazewell County planted nearly 5.2 square miles of pumpkins this year, according to FSA data, and Brown said that much of the canned pumpkins are obtained from within an hour of the plant.

More than 1.5 square miles of white “ghost” pumpkins were planted this year, almost five times the amount planted in 2009, according to FSA data.

Just north of Seattle, the county planted more than half a square mile of mini pumpkins, according to FSA data