While a dry summer has wreaked havoc on Minnesota's farmers, pumpkin farmers are still seeing a bumper crop this fall. Several farms in the state are reporting a high yield just in time for Halloween.

It's that time of year when the pumpkin flavored foods go all nutty. Pumpkin latte obsessions notwithstanding, it's easy to see madness in pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin ravioli, even pumpkin gum. But pumpkin beer? Have we gone too far?

Major seed companies including, Twin Cities-based Syngenta, saw production fall 15 to 25 percent last summer because of poor weather conditions. The President of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association told MPR the reduced seed supply is starting to cause concerns among farmers eager to plant the high profit commodity.

New London’s Chad Revier has once again set Minnesota’s record in pumpkin growing. At a weigh-in at Stillwater’s Harvest Fest Saturday -- his gourd came in at 1,630 pounds. That’s 51 pounds heavier than the state record-holder he grew in 2009.

Officials with the American Red Cross say the blood supply has reached emergency levels with about 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June. Donors of all blood types are urged to give as soon as possible, especially O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative.

David Starner of Hoffman has been challenging himself to grow a half-ton pumpkin since 2002. Finally this year, after installing heating cable in his garden soil and building a mini greenhouse over each seedling, Starner thinks he's done it. According to the pumpkin's measurements, it should weigh in around 1,029 pounds.

MSP Mag takes a look at local brews, pumpkin infused.

Strong crop prices have farmers around the country planting more acreage. Ag officials are advising growers to get their seeds now because the most popular varieties of corn may not be available later.