When the monster hail storm struck in and around Canyon in June, it destroyed more than windows, rooftops and windshields. Many farmers’ crops were damaged, including ones at Leonard Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch, located six miles west of Canyon. So, they changed their plans for this year’s fall season.
The storm was so strong, with 80 mph winds, that it blew an old cattle trailer over, according to owners Ashley and Shaun Leonard. Ashley Leonard said that the storm itself was more like a tornado, sounding like a train and with enough force to leave a path of destruction. “It blew over an irrigation pivot of our neighbors, and we had eight power poles down on FM 1062,” she said.
Building the haunted corn maze at Leonard Farms
The couple moved to the Canyon area from Colorado to farm around 10 years ago, and they grew corn along with pumpkins. “In Colorado, we would always get a group of kids, and all of us would go to a haunted maze or a big corn maze in the area. When we moved to Canyon, we were just farming and thought about trying something else,” Ashley Leonard said.
They started a haunted corn maze, complete with scary characters sneaking around, along with a huge pumpkin patch. “The first year, we didn’t have a specific trail for it, just a rough trail and only did it a few nights and it was a huge hit. Now, we’re doing a specific haunted maze on certain nights,“ she said.
They are raising three youngsters on the farm: Wyatt, 16, who does the tractor drive for the hayride; Paisley, 11, and Maysa, 4. All of their children participate in the event and in the everyday chores of farming.
This year, the farm features a 20-acre haunted corn maze with five acres of sunflowers. Normally, there’s 15 acres of pumpkins, but they were not planted due to the severe weather that destroyed part of their corn crop for the maze. Instead of replanting corn, they decided to utilize the land by planting hay grazer feed.
In the past, the maze has been designed into military patterns such as a very intricate nod to the Doolitle Raid, which transpired on April 18, 1942. Last year’s design honored the 30th anniversary of D-Day. They sometimes draw as many as 250 people a night to the family-friendly event, Leonard said. “Most of the people come from Amarillo and Canyon, some from Hereford, and we even had a group from Lubbock last year.”
The Haunted Corn Maze is continuing with the help of Canyon FFA, the WT Wesley Center group and Randall County 4-H kids, along with the Caprockettes, who will help with the scary acting and random jump-outs on the path. A portion of the profits will go to the groups who are helping with the characters to chill and thrill. Located in midst of the maze is a spooky bus, which adds to the scariness, according to Leonard.
Because of the lack of pumpkins, the haunted maze will only be open four nights including Saturdays, Oct. 11, 18 and 15, and Friday, Oct. 31, from 9 p.m. to midnight. Food trucks, roping, axe throwing, cornhole and vendors will add to the visitors’ delight. Tickets are $20 and are sold at the gate, depending on weather conditions.
Leonard Farms Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch is located on 17670 FM 1062 west of Canyon and can be contacted through their site on Facebook or Instragram. The owners call it an intense haunted attraction with live actors, pitch black areas, uneven terrain, loud noises and tight spaces, so it is not suited for children under 10 or people with heart disease, PTSD or other disorders. Pets are not allowed unless trained for those with disabilities.
After this year’s severe weather, Leonard Farms is still featuring the corn maze, but for a very limited run, and they are referring pumpkin shoppers to Gee Family’s Sweet Corn & Pumpkin Patch, located on South Whitaker Road.
Gee Family Pumpkin Farm grows in crops, crowds
Located south of Amarillo lies a faith-based farm that offers the natural wonder of the earth and farming and how the process all takes place. The owners, Tim and Michele Gee, were from different worlds. Michele grew up in Amarillo as a city girl, while Tim was a farmer. They met in 2000 and have grown together through these 25 years.
She said that she was fascinated by how things worked together on the farm and found it amazing. The Gee Family Fall Daze was created so that others could experience that wonder of how plants grow, from seed to harvest. Visitors can enjoy the country life, along with a few lessons in farming and living with nature.
Michele Gee eventually recruited her father, who was not a farmer either, to help with the farm. “It’s a light in the middle of a city … one of those hidden gems that we are trying to get out because there is not another place like it in Amarillo,” she said.
“Derinda Patton was the first person to start this farm,” Michele said. “She had the vision and bought the land, calling it the Amazingly Fun Farm around 2007.” Currently, the Gees specialize in sweet corn, popcorn, pumpkins and cotton, along with educating individuals on farming and its importance to the town, state and national economy.
The Gees also own a pecan orchard near Hart, where there are 800 trees. “Robert Hawkins owned the orchard, and we bought it,” she said. They sell pecans all year long, along with caramel and specially spiced pecans.
Their four kids and retired parents help with the crowds that seem to keep growing along with the crops. Michele said they are booked solid on field trips, and they take great care to cater to groups with special needs.
“We are just coming out of our sweet corn season, and we have over 30 varieties of pumpkins. Some are culinary (to cook with), and some are for decoration. The varieties are normally labeled, but this year, they got all mixed up,” she said. To help with the confusion, they have some charts to show people which ones are edible.
On a sad note, the Gees lost their beloved miniature Jersey cow, Dancer, back in March. “She truly was a gentle soul, and her calm presence always brought us comfort, as we knew she would never harm anyone. Dancer has left a special place in our hearts that is difficult to fill,” the farm said in a social media post, which noted after consideration, they decided not to have a cow display this year.
The couple are still educating the public about the marvels of farming, and they are seeing a great response. As of late, Michele has been explaining the difference between GMO and non-GMO crops and why it matters. She said that people just don’t know about the topic, and they are curious.
In a Sept. 10, 2020 Globe-News article, Tim Gee said, “I feel like the family farm, we are losing it. Most of them are corporate and big investors and things like that. I want to give it to my kids. I want to give them something … it’s the way I grew up and I want them to grow up that way if they want to.”
The farm’s open season started in late September and will run every Saturday until Oct. 25, according to their website. They are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 11, 18 and 25. The cost of admission is $7 for ages 4 and older, and it includes most of the attractions. Pumpkins can be purchased for 40 cents a pound or $30 for a wagon load. Popcorn ears are two for $1; rubber ducks for the duck race are $1; and chicken and duck food is 25 cents.
Among the farm’s available attractions are:
On Friday nights in October, Flashlight Nights offer hayrides, cozy firepits, delicious popcorn and a scare-free nighttime corn maze. A gift shop has s’mores kits available, and an on-site food truck will have food options.
For more information, visit their website, www.geefamilyfarm.com.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: After hail storm, Leonard Farms Corn Maze teams up with Gee Family for pumpkin shoppers
Reporting by Nell Williams, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
