An Exploration of America’s Fascination with Corn Mazes
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, N.J. − Iconic figures such as Peter Rabbit, country music legend Toby Keith, and global superstar Taylor Swift bring to mind a whimsical blend of culture.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, the quirky Willy Wonka, and Smokey Bear, who advocates for fire safety, are also in the mix.
Add to that a collection of amusing characters like steers, octopuses, moose, alongside cows, quilts, championship teams, and beloved franchises like “Star Wars” and “Peanuts.”
What connects all of these? Corn!
These characters inspire countless corn mazes across the country, enticing millions of visitors of all ages eager to explore their intricate paths filled with fun twists, turns, and the occasional dead end as part of autumn festivities.
“The excitement of getting lost is a big draw,” shared Kevin Watson, assistant director at Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell Township, New Jersey, home to the state’s longest-running corn maze. “It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that promotes connection among friends and family, catering to various age groups.”
Situated in the Central New Jersey’s Pleasant Valley, Howell Living History Farm offers visitors a glimpse into late 19th and early 20th-century agricultural life, with picturesque views of nearby hills and trees. As a part of the Mercer County Park Commission, the farm focuses on education as part of its mission, including the design of its corn maze which reflects traditional American quilting patterns.
However, some mazes are purely about pure enjoyment.
Illinois: ‘A Mountain of Corn’
While mazes and labyrinths have ancient roots (think of King Minos and the Minotaur from Greek tales), corn mazes are a newer trend. The first full-scale maze was established by Earl Beal in his Annville, Pennsylvania farm in 1993, influenced by his father’s maze designs for the popular Knoebels amusement park.
In Spring Grove, Illinois, Richardson Adventure Farm focuses on fun.
Managed by the fifth and sixth generations of the family since its establishment in 1856, Richardson offers everything from sunflower fields and a petting zoo to seasonal delights such as a tulip field in spring and a pumpkin patch in autumn, alongside food trucks and craft beer, zip lining, and train rides.
The star attraction is a colossal corn maze, claimed to be the largest in the nation, covering 28 acres with over 10 miles of pathways.
“Walking through a corn mountain is exhilarating,” remarked George Richardson, a member of the family that runs the farm.
“It’s an extraordinary adventure. Visitors love the challenge; we provide them with maps and they head to various checkpoints, earning rewards along the way, which adds to the fun.”
Each year, the Richardson family collaborates on maze designs. They partner with Iowa’s MazePlay for the maze layout, planting sterile corn that doesn’t fertilize and is plowed under at the end of each season, before seeding anew.
“For curious adults, we’re open to discussing the corn’s reproductive process,” Richardson humorously added.
In the wake of a market downturn in the 1990s, the Richardson family recognized the need to diversify their business model, transforming their extensive farm into a prime entertainment spot.
“In our first year after refocusing on agri-tourism, we welcomed over 10,000 guests,” shared Richardson. “Since then, it has grown steadily. About a decade ago, we relocated Adventure Farm to create more parking space and expand our attractions.”
Richardson’s story is just one example among numerous farms that are creatively monetizing their land by inviting visitors for maze adventures and other entertainment.
Combining Learning and Fun
“Many farmers utilize corn or crop mazes to draw in visitors” and establish additional revenue sources for family-run farms, which often face severe financial challenges, explained Claudia Schmidt, assistant professor of marketing and local/regional.
Food systems being studied at Pennsylvania State University.
Many farms feature shops that offer crafts, specialty foods, and attractions like petting zoos and crop mazes.
“Each farmer does it differently,” she explained, noting variations based on location, crop selection, and visitor preferences. “Some farmers view mazes and other attractions as a contribution to the community because children love exploring them.”
Schmidt also emphasized the importance of educating the public about agriculture’s crucial role and the need to maintain and protect farms and farmland. She mentioned that her own children, aged 8 and 9, enjoy visiting corn mazes.
The educational aspect of agritourism is significant. Visitors leave with knowledge and enjoy activities that teach them about farming, navigation, map reading, and problem solving.”
The maze at Howell Living History Farm, now in its 29th year and managed by a nonprofit organization (Friends of Howell Farm), has consistently had an educational theme focused on agriculture and farm life. This year’s maze, featuring a quilt pattern, encourages visitors to find puzzle pieces and complete them quickly, with time clocks set around the maze for stamping cards.
Kevin Watson mentioned that the maze was designed by his mother, Mary Watson, who is a graphic designer. Matt Miller, a trustee with Friends of Howell Farm, collaborates on the design using surveying equipment to map out paths in the field, and then stalks are trimmed to create the maze.
Families visit with their children, and sometimes groups of teens and adults engage in friendly competition to see who can complete the maze the fastest. Everyone also discovers more about Howell, which is still an active farm home to cows, horses, sheep, and various crops, all cultivated and harvested using methods and tools from the late 19th and early 20th century.
Creating mazes and a steady income
In 1995, Brett Herbst came across a magazine article about the nation’s first corn maze from 1993. Intrigued, the recent agribusiness graduate from BYU saw this as a potential career in agriculture.
Having grown up in a farming family, he cherished the land. However, farming was tough for his family; they lost the farm while he was still a child. This experience left a significant mark on Herbst, who went on to create the first corn maze west of the Mississippi River in American Fork, Utah, and has persevered ever since.
Herbst noted the decline of small farms and the rise of larger operations, which drives his passion for helping families retain their land.
“My mom used to say, you can take the boy out of the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the boy,” he shared. “I love being outdoors and working with my hands, and few things offer a daily sense of purpose like this.”
Today, his company, The Maize, has established over 4,000 mazes nationwide. Farmers can select from thousands of design plans and customize them to reflect their unique needs and community connections. Herbst stated, “What resonates with them? We can adapt a design for a local high school mascot or celebrate a championship-winning team. People appreciate that local touch.”
This year, designs honoring “Peanuts,” the popular comic strip, and country singer Luke Bryan are among the most noteworthy.
The majority of farms he collaborates with are family-owned, a fact that holds special meaning for Herbst. “These farms are built from family effort, and all farms contribute positively. They provide open space, helping kids escape the city while teaching them about the origins of their food.”
