This hay bale gnome, Ole, lost Lena in the corn maze. In the background is the slide, in which riders use a feed sack to enjoy this ride! (Photo by Alison Leathers)

Worth The Beautiful Drive:  Big Springs Farm Pumpkins And Corn Maze

 

ARENDAHL TOWNSHIP — Coming from any direction to Big Springs Farm Pumpkins and Corn Maze, you are in for bluff country’s most beautiful scenery: river bluffs, deep ravines, rolling farmland, and hardwood forests.  Located just over nine miles north of Lanesboro and 11 miles west of Rushford, it is worth the drive in rural Southeastern Minnesota to get to this fall farm fun destination.  

Big Springs Farm has been in the Brown family since the mid-1800s and has transitioned from a dairy farm to the beef cattle and crops it raises today.  The newest Brown family generation on the farm, consisting of Justin and Pam Brown and their three kids, with help from Justin’s parents Anita and Keith Brown, brought a dream to life in 2021 when they opened Big Springs Farm Pumpkins and Corn Maze.  This attraction has welcomed over 13,500 people in the last three years with another 8,000 to 10,000 expected in 2024.  

 

From Switzerland to Minnesota

When Justin and Pam were in undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, they took a two-week course in Switzerland to learn about the economics of Swiss agriculture. They were amazed to learn that the Swiss government financially supports agritourism, to keep those Brown Swiss cows, wearing their giant bells, grazing in the foothills of the mountains for visitors to enjoy that historic part of Swiss culture.  

From this experience, as Justin says, “The seed was planted” to do something in the agritourism realm on Justin’s family farm. The Browns spent the last ten years doing research, milling ideas, and forming plans to create an attraction with a corn maze, games, and more. With Pam’s background in food science and Justin’s background in retail agronomy, their dream became a reality when Big Springs Farm Pumpkins and Corn Maze opened in the fall of 2021.  It was perfect timing as Justin was ready to make a transition in his career, and two local corn mazes closed.

 

 

A Dedication to Learning and Teaching

Each year at Big Springs Farm, guests will notice a few changes, like new attractions and games, and that is all because Pam and Justin are dedicated to learning from their industry to make their farm the best experience for its visitors.  The farm business is part of North American Farm Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA), and through this organization, Pam and Justin have toured over 25 other agritourism farms across the country and received advice and gotten ideas from other family farms.  This year, Justin is set to be a presenter at the association’s annual conference in Kentucky.

The couple get great help from their creative directors, Justin’s mom and his sister Nikki Greenwell.  Justin is always learning how to build something new, and his dad helps in various ways.  Pam has learned to be the business manager and utilize her skills in food safety to manage their food stand.  They are dedicated to training their young employees, including their own children, on how to be good employees, as most of their staff calls working at Big Springs Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkins their first job.

 

 

Selling an Experience: Age Inclusive Fun

In agriculture, diversification is important, and agritourism is one way a farm can diversify its revenue stream. The Brown family chose to diversify its agriculture business through the creation of their corn maze, pumpkin patch, and sunflower field, which serve as the anchors of their operation.  As Justin said, “We sell an experience,” and each winter the Browns are busy planning and analyzing data to make sure the coming year is the best possible experience for visitors. This season, they expanded their flower area where guests can cut their own flowers and create a bouquet to bring home.  As Justin shared, “One recent visitor, a mom, even encouraged her son to make a bouquet for his girlfriend.”  What a memorable and meaningful farm experience!  

The corn maze features a farm scene investigation mystery to solve and checkpoints to find. The mini corn maze, geared for children, has fun, interactive obstacles for the kids to experience.  The pick-your-own pumpkins and gourds feature over 100 varieties to choose from – you get to feel the prickly vines and pick your own pumpkin – the farm doesn’t do it for you. The sunflower field is best the first three weekends after they are open, and it is the perfect place for photos or just to listen and watch the bees as they gather pollen.  

Everything is age inclusive, so the farm welcomes families of all ages, friend groups, couples, and more.  Justin elaborated that, “We try to foster family play so the parents and the kids can play together.” Each attraction at the farm allows intergenerational play because the Browns want their guests to build memories and experience a slice of farm life together.  There is so much to explore and do, including petting the goats, watching the chickens, a sling shot target game, eating a mac and cheese dog, playing in the corn pit, and enjoying a hayride.

 

 

Lots Of Smiles Ahead

Pam said proudly, “We get to help people have fun!” The Browns exude excitement talking about their business and their determination to make sure everyone has fun on their farm.  They hope maybe one day, one of their children will see the value in this business and want to be the next Brown generation living and working on the farm.  

Until then, if you take the beautiful drive to Big Springs Farm Pumpkins and Corn Maze, you can be sure you will have fun, experience local agriculture, and make memories.  As one guest wrote on their heart-shaped feedback magnets placed on the ticket booth, “Rae loved the corn pit and slide, Kinny loved the mac and cheese, and mom loved seeing lots of smiles.” 

 

 

There will be lots of smiles if you visit this farm.

Big Springs Farm Pumpkins and Corn Maze has concluded its 2024 season — “Thanks for a great season! See you in 2025!” For details on its next season, visit Big Springs Farm Pumpkins and Corn Maze.

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Contributor

Alison Leathers is a Preston, Minn., native who has enjoyed learning about the region from a new perspective having moved back to the area after living out of state.