Concluding Thoughts for Farmers Considering a Corn Maze

All good things must come to an end.  And this guide for farmers considering a corn maze must do the same.  So far, this guide has discussed the question of whether you should start a corn maze, how to run it, preventing safety issues, and how to attract visitors.  I will now leave you with a few last thoughts.

Don’t panic if your maze doesn’t draw thousands the first year or two. Building any type of successful business takes time.  Re-examination of whether a corn maze fits into your long term plans is healthy.  Abandoning a good idea before it has time to develop is not.  Just be sure you’re doing everything you can to help it grow. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Be flexible. If something you try the first year doesn’t work as well as you’d hoped, don’t do it again. While it’s wise and advisable to study other corn maze businesses and their success, remember that what works for one might not work for another.

Track your advertising. Ask people how they heard about you. Keep track of how many people use on-line or print coupons. Put your advertising dollars where they’re doing the most good, but at the same time, don’t be afraid to try something new (in modest amounts).

Listen to your visitors. What do they like best? What would they like to see you change about the maze? What other activities would they like to see offered?

Run your maze as a business because that’s what it is. Even if your farm is a hobby farm, if you’re earning income from your venture it’s a business and needs to be treated like it. This includes tracking income and expenses, filing the proper tax forms and taking advantage of all the deductions and tax incentives available to you. Keeping receipts and records is essential!

I wish you the best of luck in your corn maze journey.  Seeking out fun, yet simple and inexpensive entertainment is something more and more people are doing these days. Most folks these days have had to drastically cut their entertainment budget and are more than happy to enjoy winding their way through a challenge while hanging out with family and friends. Corn mazes, as well as other agricultural entertainment ventures are both fun and profitable for the farmer and serve the general public, as well.