Local Labyrinths CORN MAZE FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
FALL IS THE PERFECT TIME for families to flock to the farm, making memories together while enjoying the great outdoors. In recent years, there’s been a rise in agritourism, with farms offering fun activities and education for kids and adults alike – all to diversify their operations and create additional sources of income.
Amazing Grace Crop Maze
Each year, more farms are hopping on the agritourism bandwagon and adding significantly to their profits. According to the U.S. Census of Agriculture, the number of farms that made more than $25,000 from agritourism increased from 4,518 to 5,553 in just five years, from 2012 to 2017. These are just three of the many Florida farms that have broadened their operations from traditional agricultural production to become agritourism destinations with elaborate corn mazes.
Scott’s Maze Adventures
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FLORIDAGRICULTURE | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
CONNER’S A-MAIZE-ING ACRES This family-owned farm in Hilliard was founded in the 1940s by Ellis Conner and his wife, Lottie, who began growing vegetables and raising cattle and chickens for Tyson Foods. When Tyson left the state in 2003, their son, Eddie Conner, who had taken over the farm after his parents passed away, knew he needed to diversify the business to survive. Eddie’s daughter, Amanda, pitched the idea of creating a corn maze, having visited one a few years before. Though Eddie balked at the thought at the time, with lots of prayer and research, he says, they decided to plant a corn maze and open their farm to visitors. Today, roughly 15,000 visitors come to experience Conner’s A-Maize-Ing Acres each year. Besides getting lost in the maze, visitors can take a wagon ride, pet farm animals, play cornhole, shop the general store (think local honey and jellies), and indulge in homemade smoked barbecue, kettle corn and other tasty treats. The many facets of the farm keep everyone from family to close friends busy preparing for the fall season. “We have fun working and teaching the next generation how to work hard and earn a living
PHOTOS: AMA ZING GRACE CROP MA ZE; SCOT T' S MA ZE ADVENTURES
By Kelsey Ogletree
