Rustling corn stalks stretch to the sky, obscuring landmarks and scrambling any sense of direction inside the maze.
Cut out of seven acres of corn on Kelsay Farms in Whiteland, the corn labyrinth is a challenge to navigate. But that doesn’t stop kids and adults from pouring into the maze for a bit of fall farm fun.
When they’re done, they can climb the straw bale mountain, ride on the Moo Choo Express train, hunt for pumpkins and enjoy chocolate milkshakes — all while soaking in a little bit of life on the farm.
“It’s the time of year when families are looking for that fun atmosphere — being outside, when the weather is nice. When it turns cool in the evenings, we have campfires and s’mores and hot cocoa,” said Amy Kelsay, organizer of Kelsay Farms’ fall activities. “To me, it’s the ideal family setting, and people are looking for that.”
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Autumn means chilly weather, weekend football and falling leaves. But in Johnson County, it’s also a perfect opportunity to head down to the farm and rediscover your agricultural roots. Apple orchards, pumpkin patches and corn mazes draw thousands of people each weekend throughout the county.
Listen to live music, play on mountains of straw bales and enjoy everything from late-summer produce to fresh-picked apples to homemade milkshakes.
Local agritourism options take advantage of a perfect time of year to learn more about area farms, but help support area farm families, Kelsay said.
“One time, someone told me that we’re changing the way families celebrate fall in our community,” she said. “That meant a lot to me, to think we can provide a place where families can come and spend time with our family, celebrate the farm and our heritage and our history.”
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Services, the economic benefit of agritourism rose 25 percent from 2007 to 2012, increasing from $566 million to $704 million.
So much of what fall is about is tied to farms and the harvest that it only makes sense to let people get closer to agricultural operations.
People can find fresh-pressed apple cider, fresh produce and homemade preserves at Whiteland Orchards. Hayrides, straw bale mazes and acres of pick-your-own pumpkins can be found at Waterman’s Family Farm location in the Center Grove area.
One of the county’s newest agritourism options is Dougherty Family Farms, located on Whiteland Road near State Road 135.
The Dougherty family has been farming in Johnson County since 1853, a tradition that Matthew and Amy Dougherty, as well as their three children Eric, Emily and Ethan, have continued. They purchased the property off of Whiteland Road recently, and though they had a produce stand at the location previously, decided to expand it to a whole harvest adventure.
“We are huge on advocating for agriculture. We like to spread the word and get positivity out there about agriculture,” Amy Dougherty said. We enjoy being able to tell our side of the story. We’re so surprised by how many people don’t know where our food comes from, and how their food gets to the store. We all love interacting with people and teaching them.”
Primarily a crop and livestock operation, the family has diversified its offerings by opening the farm up with a corn maze and pumpkin patch.
Mums, colored pumpkins and hay bales are available to purchase as well. Children’s activities and a free petting zoo are designed for the younger guests.
“It’s a great way to diversify our farming operation,” Emily Dougherty “Being able to promote the agriculture industry, and show more about something that we’re so passionate about. It’s a great outlet for us to reach out to the community and connect with them.”
Bright orange pumpkins greet people as they drive up to the Apple Works farm store in Trafalgar. Apple trees planted along the orchard’s rolling hills are heavy with apples, though workers have been plucking the ripe ones off throughout September to sell inside the farm shop.
Shoppers can pick through explosively crisp and juicy Honeycrisps, richly flavored Jonamacs and sweet/tart Swiss Gourmets, looking for the perfect fruit for pies, baking or just plain eating.
The Apple Works has been firmly planted in Johnson County for nearly 30 years. Rick and Sarah Brown put in their first trees on the southern quarter of the orchard in 1989, digging holes with a shovel and delicately planting each tree.
The first harvest came two years later. At the time, the Brown family didn’t have a barn or country store on the property, so daughters Alison and Maggie would take orders at the road from passing cars, then run into the field to fill them.
The Apple Works has grown into a year-round agritourism attraction, but fall is one of the busiest times, Sarah Brown said.
Weekends feature live music. Kids can try out attractions such as the super slide and bamboo maze. A you-pick pumpkin patch allows people to find the perfect gourd for carving.
Kelsay Farms is a sixth-generation dairy and crop farm that has been in operation since 1837.
The Kelsay family spends most days milking around 400 cows three times a day, and tending more than 2,200 acres of corn, soybeans and hay throughout the area.
Every fall, the farm opens up to the public, presenting an chance to teach people about modern agriculture and showing people where their food actually comes from.
“It’s so rewarding to give them the opportunity to learn about ag firsthand,” Kelsay said.
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Where: 6848 N. CR 250E, Whiteland
Hours: 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays, noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 28; noon to 6 p.m. weekdays from Oct. 8 to 19
Admission: $10, children 1 and under free
Activities: Dairy farm tours, corn maze, straw bale mountain, corn crib play area, hayrides, jump pad, pumpkins and free face painting. Special activities include flashlight nights until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Dairy-oke every Friday night, pumpkin carving and painting classes and trick or treat in the corn maze 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 27.
Information: kelsayfarms.com
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Where: 8157 S. 250W, Trafalgar
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday
Activities: Pumpkin patch, barnyard animals, baked goods, apples and fresh produce, super slide, bamboo maze, live music on weekends.
Admission: Free to attend
Information: apple-works.com
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Where: 2248 W. CR 500N, Franklin
Hours: 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday
Activities: Corn maze, pumpkin patch, fall decor
Admission: Free to attend; corn maze is $3 per person
Information: https://www.facebook.com/harvestadventuresatdoughertyfarms/
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Greenwood Fall Harvest Festival
Where: 1100 N. SR 37, Greenwood
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Activities: Pumpkin patch, hayride, straw bale playground, farm challenge obstacle course, miniature train ride, farm animals, straw fort, indoor play school and little farmer experience.
Admission: $4 weekdays, $5 weekends; pumpkins and produce available for additional cost
Information: watermansfamilyfarm.com
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Where: 5559 N. Graham Road, Whiteland
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Admission: Free
Offerings: Fresh apples, cider, fruits and vegetables, pumpkins, persimmon pulp, jellies and preserves, local honey
Information: whitelandorchard.com
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