Visitors Get Lost in Maize

Amelia Gonzales, staff writer

Family Farm Created Into a Giant Maize 

Imagine purposely walking into a giant field of corn stalks, not knowing where each turn will lead  to next.

To the right, left and front to back, a person is surrounded by corn. All you hear are the sounds of autumn, the laughter and some screams of those who are experiencing the same thing. Then all of a sudden a loud bang is ringing through the air. All these things and much more are offered at the Simpson Farm, formally known as The Maize.

 With three children to care for, Patti Simpson maintained the role of an at- home mother, while her husband James Simpson worked on their farm. With financial obligations needing to be met, the Simpson family had to find a way to help their income.

“One day while looking through an issue in the Progressive Farmer magazine I saw how farmers were turning their fields into maizes,” says Simpson.

The article led him to do research, and discovered that a company founded by Brett Herbst of Utah has had tremendous success. The family decided to become a part of this company, and in 2001 the Simpson family opened The Maize for all to enjoy. Each year the family decides what they want the layout of The Maize to look like.

To prepare for the year, the Maize is plowed down in November and the new harvest is started in June. By July the corn stalks reach shoulder height and by opening time in August, the stalks can reach to about 8 feet tall. The Simpsons come up with the idea for the design then send the design off to get it constructed the way the corn should be grown and  the way it is to be cut. Once the layout comes back to them, it takes three men three days to spray the area with Round Up and cut the path through corn.

“We try to choose something that describes the area that we are in,” Simpson says.

This year the maize consists of designs portraying  the American farmer.

The Simpsons have been opening their farm to the public for the past five years. There have been approximately 23,000 visitors each year, including various group organizations. They have hosted church groups, boys and girls scouts, more than 7,000 students on school field trips, birthday parties, and even staff dinners.

“Each year we try to add  more to the Maize,” Simpson says.

Since the first year they have operated the Maize, they have added a pond, a windmill, a cow train ride, hay rides, pumpkin patches, campfires, a petting zoo, tent area, and a corn cannon. The corn cannon allows visitors to place an ear of corn into a feeder and to aim at three different scarecrows. If your corn hits one scarecrow, you are a winner of a free coke. If your corn hits another scarecrow, you are the winner of  candy and if you hit the farthest scarecrow, you are the winner of a Maize T-shirt.

The Maize is also equipped with a concession stand offering such items  as a refreshing drink, candy, smores, and roasted corn, all of which contain corn in the ingredients.

Simpson also mentions all the “neat” things that corn can produce. These items include batteries, aspirin, dynamite, ethanol, film and anything that contains corn syrup.

The obvious theme that a visitor will notice upon arriving at The Maize is the friendly family atmosphere. The farm is a Family affair, as the Simpsons are aided by their three children. 

For all those yet to experience the act of losing yourself, The Maize will remain open until Nov. 26. It is located on FM 1294. Hours of operation for The Maize are 7:30-10 p.m.

For more information, visit the web site www.cornfieldmaze.com or call Patti Simpson at (806)763-5594.