(The Center Square) – Illinois farmers are optimistic about this year’s pumpkin harvest. Federal government figures show that Illinois produced 634 million pounds of pumpkins in 2022, which is more than the next five most productive states combined. Michael Dittmar, of Dittmar Farms and Orchard in Elizabeth, in Jo Daviess County, said the weather has been favorable this year. “Lots of rain, the crop is awesome. No issues whatsoever. We’ve just got some huge pumpkins,” Dittmar said. Wayne Sirles is a fifth-generation fruit-and-vegetable grower at Rendleman Orchards in Alto Pass. Sirles said the…