After the couple married in 2013, they began visiting corn mazes together. Later, after purchasing property and building their home in 2020, they decided to create one of their own, planting their first maze in May 2022. And you can’t have a corn maze without pumpkins, says Maria, so they also planted about an acre of pumpkins.

That’s how Holly View Acres Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch near Holly Springs came to life.  

Over the past few years, the farm has grown to include 2 acres of pumpkins, squash and gourds. Customers are often surprised by the many shapes, colors and types grown at Holly View Acres. This year, visitors will find about 88 different varieties of pumpkins alone. 

The 9-acre corn maze has become the farm’s biggest attraction. To create it, the Gallaghers combine creativity with precision agriculture technology. They begin by sketching an idea on paper — in recent years, each design has been inspired by a Bible verse — then create the final design on the computer, upload it into their planter technology and quite literally plant the maze. Once the corn begins to grow, they clean up the paths to create crisp lines and ensure each path is the same width.

“We strive to keep our paths clean so everyone who visits can enjoy the maze, even those in strollers,” says Maria, a Woodbury County Farm Bureau member. “We really love having everyone come out and experience the peace that the countryside brings. 

“Harvest on the farm is probably our favorite season, so getting to share that time of year with those that don’t get that is really special. Walking in our maze is an experience we take for granted.”

For the Gallaghers, one of the greatest rewards is watching families make memories together, whether they’re exploring the maze, climbing on the vintage tractors or simply taking in the scenery. 

A farm family with pumpkins

PICTURED ABOVE: Woodbury County Farm Bureau members Michael and Maria Gallagher and their children Kaida, Aaron, Audrey and Zayne started Holly View Acres corn maze and pumpkin farm in Holly Springs to give local families a place to enjoy the fall, connect with community and create memories. Photo by Conrad Schmidt


“Our pasture overlooks our maze, and you can quite literally look into it,” Maria says. “We like to claim that we may be the only one in the U.S. that has that. But most importantly, we want everyone to experience a little bit of the farm.”

Outside the maze, visitors can play in the corn kernel beach, where kids — and plenty of adults —  often spend a long time. The farm cats are also crowd favorites.

Over the past few years, the Gallaghers have expanded their offerings with special events, including Moonlight Maze, when visitors can explore the maze after dark on two Saturday evenings each fall. 

Last year, they also introduced Praise in the Pasture, a sunset worship service.

Agritourism has also given the Gallaghers an opportunity to educate visitors of all ages. Each fall, Holly View Acres welcomes school field trips, where students learn about the life cycle of pumpkins and corn while seeing and touching many of the different varieties grown on the farm.

Visitors are especially fascinated by the corn maze designs and often ask how they’re created.

“We enjoy teaching them about the technology we have and how we use it,” Maria says. “It is also fun to watch customers in awe of the many different varieties (of pumpkins) that we grow.”

Ultimately, the Gallaghers hope Holly View Acres serves as more than just a fall destination. They want it to be a place where the local community can gather and experience life on the farm — together.

“It has also been a great way for us to get to know our neighbors who we wouldn’t meet if we did not open up our farm each fall,” Maria says. “We want to honor and glorify God through our business. We love sharing our story with others.”

Giardino is a freelance writer from Polk City.