‘If temperatures keep rising, it’s going to be hard to grow pumpkins in southern Illinois.’ Researcher on quest for a hybrid pumpkin.

People pick out pumpkins on Oct. 17, 2021, at Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up, 1467 N. Elston Ave., Chicago. Illinois is the leading producer of pumpkins in the country but if the region keeps warming due to climate change, crops may not be able to grow as well here. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)