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Volume 13 • Number 18
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Richardson ‘World’s Largest’ corn maze honors ag icon John Deere this year Cynthia Wolf contributor
The same year that Spring Grove’s Richardson Farm was established in 1836, a man named John Deere moved to Illinois, discovering that the state’s sticky, clay soil slowed farmers, who often had to stop every few feet to scrape the dirt off of their cast-iron plows. Deere’s invention the next year of a self-scouring steel plow revolutionized agriculture — in the U.S. and around the world. In celebration of that milestone — and Deere & Co.’s continuing ag and construction equipment innovation prowess — this year’s “World’s Largest Corn Maze” is an homage to Deere. The public will be welcomed to take it all in — as well as all of the other fun to be had at the Richardson Adventure Farm — Thursdays through Sundays, Sept. 7-Oct. 27. A portrait of John Deere is featured in the southwest corner of the rectangular, 28-acre maze this year, with a depiction of the original, steel, moldboard plow pulled by a horse in the southeast corner. Also featured, along with the company’s tagline, are a couple of Deere & Co.’s more modern offerings: a construction loader (with a pumpkin in the bucket), and a quad track tractor. At the center of this year’s 10.8 miles of trails? A hammer and anvil, representing Deere’s humble start as a blacksmith.
“We always have fun working out the details of each year’s maze,” said George Richardson, who operates the farm at 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove, with his wife, Wendy, brother, Robert, Robert’s wife, Carol, George’s son, Ryan, and Ryan’s wife, Kristen. In the spring, Idaho-based MazePlay once again brought its special planter that uses GPS to drop seeds precisely, creating the maze design and leaving gaps for the trails, Richardson said. When in bloom, a 12-acre sunflower maze is included with the price of admission, too. Visitors are encouraged to check richardsonacventurefarm.com or find Richardson “World’s Largest” Corn Maze on social media for updates. Of course, hiking through miles of towering, golden corn or vibrant flowers is far from the picturesque farm’s only draw. Family fun abounds here. There are jumping pillows, pedal karts, giant slides, a train ride, a carousel, 50-foot viewing tower, pig races, an expansive gift shop with a wine sampling bar, and many indoor restrooms. Add to that food trucks, as well as a new, 54-foot-by-90foot, concrete-floored, enclosed Barrel House beer pavilion (now under construction), where 9th Hour Brewing craft beers and more will flow.
george richardson photo Hi-Liter/MCN
Above: The 2024 Richardson Adventure Farm “World’s Largest” Corn Maze design pays homage to agricultural icon John Deere. Left: A train and carousel are part of the family fun at the farm. The adventure farm opens for the fall season Saturday, Sept. 7.
See corn maze, Page 4
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tom funk photo Hi-Liter/MCN
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