A-Maze-ing fall destination
Author
Published
8/28/2018
It’s a struggle not to use the word "amazing" when describing the 10-acre corn maze with 3-1/2 miles of paths at Harvestville Farm, just east of Donnellson off Highway 2. Maps with cell phone numbers are posted in the maze for those who really get lost.
This year’s maze theme, Iowa Wave, refers to Iowa fans waving at the children at the University of Iowa Stead Children’s Hospital during Iowa home games.
“We have friends and family that have utilized the services at the Children’s Hospital and thought, what a great way to continue to spread the 'wave' by featuring it in our 10-acre corn maze” said Adam Hohl.
Adam; his wife, Julie; and his mother, Kathy Hohl, have operated Harvestville Farm for 14 years. The business was inspired by an FFA project Adam started in 1993 at Central Lee High School in Donnellson.
“We’re pretty much a year-round business,” said Kathy. “We only close down for the first few weeks of November for the holiday transition." The Hohls also have a restaurant, the Pitchfork Cafe, and another retail shop in Fort Madison, called Harvestville Farm Mercantile.
Farm to Table dinners with local chefs have been extremely popular at Harvestville Farm. “This year we sold out in five days,” said Adam.
The farm features fresh garden veggies, local fruits, honey and jams, plants and more. “About 80 percent of the products are grown on the farm,” added Adam.
Hohl said it’s not unusual to have a couple thousand visitors during the day in the fall. “We do hire help to harvest 100 different varieties of pumpkins and squash on 40 acres,” said Adam. Wagon rides are available to pick your own pumpkins.
The farm also features two large play areas for the kids, pumpkin painting and crafts. For adults, craft beer tasting is planned for October. In November, they transform to a Christmas holiday wonderland, featuring fresh cut trees, wreaths, arrangements and gift items.
Harvestville Farm welcomes school field trips and offers various education programs. Horse-drawn wagon rides and bonfires are available on weekends, and various live music performances will be posted at http://www.harvestvillefarm.com/.
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