That’s what farmer Nick Nicholes, 62, thought when adding a corn maze to Groveland Township’s Oak Haven Farm.
‘People can go to Wal-Mart to buy pumpkins,? said Nicholes. ‘People can go to Meijers and buy pumpkins. People come out to (farms like Oak Haven) to be entertained.?
That trend toward argicultural entertainment has shaped much of Nicholes? offerings at Oak Haven Farm, located on Dixie Hwy., one block north of Grange Hall Road.
Originally purchased in 1984 for the intention of raising Appaloosa horses on the farm’s 34 acres, Nicholes eventually found himself the owner of a pumpkin patch.
‘I definitely think it was destined to be,? said Nicholes of his farming career. ‘I think we all have a life assignment, whether we realize it or not. We enjoy seeing people happy. This is (wife Pam’s and his) assignment in life.?
However, said Nicholes, it soon became apparent that people weren’t coming out to his farm for the sole purpose of buying a pumpkin. They were coming, said Nicholes, for ‘one last fling before winter.? Customers came in search of something more than produce, said Nicholes. They came in search of memories.
‘Everytime I added something new, we sold more pumpkins,? said Nicholes. Farm animals, hayrides, cider and donuts all became part of the autumn festivities at the farm. The addition of the corn maze came as Nicholes was searching for more offerings for families in search of fun.
This year will see the farm’s sixth maze, covering nearly seven acres with approximately three miles of trails.
Most folks, said Nicholes, can navigate their way through the six-foot high walls of corn in a half-hour to 45 minutes.
‘Some,? laughed Nicholes, ‘take a bit longer.?
However, giving people an entertaining and even artful maze design is no easy prospect, explained Nicholes. In years past, a designer was paid about $6,000 and residuals to create the labyrinth. When factoring in the percentage of money Nicholes donates to local charities, he said the maze has to bring in about $10,000 before he begins to profit from it. At this year’s reduced price of $4 per person, that’s 2,500 customers.
And while the point of any business is generally to make money, Nicholes seems more focused on providing a chance to make memories. He speaks of people bringing their children back each year to have their picture taken next to a measuring display bearing the words ‘How tall this fall??
‘No one’s twisting anyone’s arm to come out here,? said Nicholes of the smiling families he sees, ‘and it’s always a learning experiance.?
And, added Nicholes, a relatively inexpensive one.
To combat economic hardships in the area, Nicholes said he lowered or did away with many of the fees at the park, including making the petting farm and haystack free this year. If a family of four were to visit Oak Haven Farm, they could do a lot with $30, explained Nicholes. ‘You couldn’t go to a show for $30 anymore,? said Nicholes. And, when that movie was over, said Nicholes, the most the family takes home with them is a conversation as to whether or not they enjoyed what they watched.
But, said Nicholes, if a family comes to a farm, they take with them much more than whatever donuts or pumpkins they buy. They take home an experience they had as a family.
‘Whether it’s our farm or one of the other farms or orchards, people should take time to take the kids out…just for the experience,? said Nicholes.
It’s an opportunity Nicholes said is quickly fading away.
‘Every year there’s less and less (farms),? said Nicholes.
The reason for the changing landscape, explains Nicholes, is the trend of devoloping farm land for other purposes.
‘How many tons of apples or pumpkins would a farmer have to sell to make that kind of money?? said Nicholes. ‘There’s a farmer’s saying: ‘One good crop of rooftops is all it takes to put money in the bank.??
Oak Haven Farms is among those up for sale.
Nicholes said he and his wife hope to buy another farm where they can concentrate on exclusively doing the autumn activities he is doing at Oak Haven now.
And while he said seeing the farm he has only moments before referred to as being his destiny sold to developers would be bittersweet, Nicholes fears missing out on a new opportunity just to hold onto the farm indefinitely.
And while Oak Haven may have been Nicholes? destiny, he doesn’t intend for it to be his final destination.
‘Success is not a destination,? said Nicholes. ‘It’s a journey.?