How did we make the 2004 maze?.
This year's maze is a salute to the All-American Barn! The barn is just over 400' tall and is a replica of our Gambrel-Bankfront Barn at the Market. It is complete to scale - including the x's on the doors and windows. To the right of the barn is the Stand logo - we are saluting their stand against tobacco! The informational signs to help you find your way through the maze explain the history of barns, all about corn & pumpkins and what the Stand is all about.
How does the maze get done?
-New workforce makes the best maze yet!
--Here's some new photos to show you how the maze was done this year...
Chloe and Red Dog were hired from Sweetapple Dairy Farm to do the corn maze this year. They complained last year that it was too easy to navigate and they wanted a little more of a challenge. So, after stringent contract negotiations and multiple visits to Seaman's General Merchandise for their favorite dog foods, a contract was signed and work began.
They hired J.J. Barrett to plant the maze for us on June 30, 2004. (It seems they couldn't hook up the corn planter!) The 7.2 acre field was disked two times to get the ground ready. The corn was planted at a "lower than normal" population and planted both directions - that is "north to south" and "east to west" to make a grid out of the growing corn plants.
They began to worry YET again this year, because here at the farm we had almost no rain from June 16 until July 15. Since then, we have had some good rains - but could use some more!
The corn came up beautifully and planning began. After the corn came up, Chloe & Red Dog measured the field exactly to determine where problem spots (like our grass waterways for soil conservation) are located. Stakes were placed at the corners of 40' squares to map out the exact location of each path. Then, they ran string along the lines to make a giant grid. Using all of this information, a maze was designed by Red Dog to properly fit the field and our 2004 theme.
After many barking arguments about which way was north (and more than enough interruptions by rabbits passing by) the maze cutting began. With weedeaters in paws, Chloe and Red Dog zipped through the maze in just three and a half weeks! The evenings and weekends required a little overtime - but their contract called for more doggie bones if the maze was done on time - so they stuck it out. They pulled out all of the stops and talked a few humans into helping them in order to fulfill the contract.
On August 15th, Eric went up in the plane to take the picture. If you look closely at the pictures - you can see the real architects of the corn maze smiling after a job well-done!
Hey Eric - "Chloe can't read maps!" You should have put me in charge!" said Red Dog.
"The weedeaters are a little heavy! We should have asked for more dog bones. Urgghh..." - Chloe & Red Dog
"This way is north!," said Chloe - "No, that's Northeast," said Red Dog.