always amazed at how the corn maze is created. Many farms around the country use a GPS method to cut their mazes. There are even companies that make programs with apps that farmers can download to their smart phones. The Peebles prefer to do everything by hand using a grid method. During the winter months, the family brainstorms ideas and works with a designer to plan the design. When it comes time to plant the corn, they lay out 200 vertical rows and 200 horizontal rows in a grid pattern. Once the corn grows to 1 to 6 inches, they begin removing corn not needed for the design. The rest of the corn grows, and they spend the late summer season weeding and leveling the paths. The corn maze is wheelchair, wagon and stroller accessible. This year’s design features the Arkansas Grown logo. Katie Peebles thinks Arkansas Grown is a great initiative that will encourage people to eat local foods and know their farmer. The Peebles pride themselves on transparency, and they’ll gladly share with you exactly what they’re doing and using to help protect their crop. The Arkansas Grown initiative promotes that level of transparency, and it’s something they are proud to be part of. Peebles Farm is a great place for families, but if you’re like me and are too old to be considered young anymore, you still need to go there for a day of fun. If you’re the type to go for a little excitement and adventure, try the corn maze at night. It’s thrilling, frightening and pure Halloween fun!
Aerial view of the corn maze.
Julie Kohl writes about her adventures with food, recipes, crafts and creativity on her blog eggsandherbs.com. As a former Yankee who was “converted” to the South by her husband, Julie has grasped rural life in a sleepy, blink-your-eyes-and-you’ll-missit town in east central Arkansas. She raises chickens, horses and English mastiffs and spends her summers off from teaching art growing an herb garden and crafting all kinds of delicious recipes.
Front Porch
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Arkansas Farm Bureau • FALL 2014
The pumpkin roll makes for a tasty treat anytime during the holiday season. Photo by Stephanie Buckley
Pumpkin Roll When you return from the farm loaded up with an assortment of beautiful pumpkins, you might want to cook a Peebles family favorite recipe. Katie Peebles uses this recipe for a traditional pumpkin roll she found in a 2005 issue of Taste of Home magazine. Ingredients Cake • 3 eggs, separated • 1 cup sugar, divided • 2/3 cup pumpkin • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/8 teaspoon salt Filling • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened • 2 tablespoons butter, softened • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar • 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract • Additional confectioners’ sugar for dusting Directions 1. Line a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan with waxed paper; grease the paper and set aside. In a large bowl, beat egg yolks on high speed until thick and lemon-colored. Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar and pumpkin, beating on high until sugar is almost dissolved. 2. In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold into egg yolk mixture. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; gently fold into pumpkin mixture. Spread into prepared pan. 3. Bake at 375° for 12 to 15 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 5 minutes. Turn cake onto a kitchen towel dusted with confectioners’ sugar. Gently peel off waxed paper. Roll up cake in the towel jelly-roll style, starting with a short side. Cool completely on a wire rack. 4. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla until smooth. Unroll cake; spread filling evenly to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up again. Cover and freeze until firm. It may be frozen for up to three months. Remove from the freezer 15 minutes before cutting. Dust with confectioners’ sugar if desired. Yield: 10 servings.
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