Joseph and Ludmilla Ventisanos offer holiday products and experiences for the whole family
When spooky season arrives, few traditions rival the hunt for the perfect pumpkin, whether for carving a jack-o’-lantern or decorating a well-appointed porch. At Dreaming Farms on James Island, husband-and-wife team Joseph and Ludmilla Venitsanos have turned that fall ritual into one part of a seasonal business. The two-acre property on Camp Road transforms into a bustling pumpkin patch each September, followed by a Christmas tree lot in late fall, and a fireworks sales site during the summer and before New Year’s Eve.
The concept grew out of Joseph’s childhood in West Virginia, where he helped family friends operate kettle corn stands and Christmas tree lots. After spending many summers visiting family in Mount Pleasant, he moved to the area and eventually launched Sweet Jesus Kettle Corn at Charleston City Market.
In 2021, he founded Dreaming Farms on James Island, envisioning an operation focused on making memories with loved ones. A few years later, Ludmilla joined, bringing her own expertise. “I really can’t make a decision without her beside me,” Joseph says. “It’s truly a God-given partnership.”
Although visitors encounter Dreaming Farms during its busiest times, the work continues year-round. “Believe me, we don’t have much of an off-season,” Joseph notes. “From January through May, there’s a tremendous amount of planning that happens before customers ever walk onto the property.”
That preparation includes traveling to North Carolina to select pumpkins and Christmas trees from growers, many of whom they’ve worked with for years. “Growing up in the Appalachian Mountains really helped me build the relationships I have today,” Joseph says.
Come fall, the couple transforms an empty field into a festive autumnal experience, complete with photo ops and live music on the weekends. Past the patch, the Farm Shop offers handmade products, such as jams, apple cider, honey, and candles.
Dreaming Farms also sells pumpkins wholesale to area businesses and offers Dreamscapes, a decorating service they describe as “bringing the pumpkin patch straight to your porch.” Designed by Ludmilla, installations range from “The Great Pumpkin” featuring oversized gourds to the “The Charlestonian,” a classic look for downtown doorways.
Once pumpkin season winds down, the company shifts into Christmas mode, bringing in fresh-cut trees starting November 21. While the tree lot once drove much of the sales, fall has become an increasingly important part of their operation.“Over the last few years, the pumpkin patch has grown tremendously,” Joseph confirms.
“We’ve watched so many children grow up over the years,” Ludmilla says. “Families come back every season, and that’s really special to us. I hope that when someone visits for the first time, they know they’re welcome here.”
