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Kids and moms enter the mini maze at Long & Scott Farms.
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Over 45 years ago, Long & Scott Farms began farming in an area
straddling Orange and Lake counties in Central Florida. Today the Scott
family grows vegetables, including the famous Zellwood sweet corn, on
more than 1,200 acres. What makes the operation stand out, however, is
its commitment to preserving the land and improving what it calls
“our most valuable resource,” the minds of young
children.
The operation’s agri-tainment division, Scott's Maze
Adventures, features a seven-acre corn maze each fall, which is always
designed around an educational theme. This year’s maze
features the theme “AMAZE-ing Weather.” In 2008, the theme
was “Florida Agriculture” and the Scotts had the pleasure of
hosting more than 20,000 guests, many of whom were students in local
school districts.
“We have had really good crowds at the maze this year,
especially during the cooler weather” said Hank Scott, president
of Long & Scott Farms. “We have scout groups, school groups,
church groups every day and individual families during the
weekends.”
After a short introduction, groups enter the maze armed with a flag
and a map, complete with questions that can be answered at various
points in the maze. It’s surprisingly easy to get lost, so
whenever that happens, maze-goers simply wave the flag and an attendant
will rescue them. The maze is always monitored and participants are
expected to follow a set of rules that were created to ensure that
everyone has a good time.
New to the farm this year is a wind tunnel, where kids can feel what
it’s like to be in a major wind storm, and a catch-and-release
fishing pond. “That’s really going over big with elementary
kids and even with older kids,” said Scott. “Both kids and
parents love it. Some kids have never had a chance to bait a hook and
fish. They catch fish like crazy out there.” In addition to the
maze, the wind tunnel and the fishing pond, the farm offers hay-ride
tours, play equipment, a smaller maze for younger children, picnic areas
and more.
HELPING KIDS GET ON THE BUS
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Scott's Country Market offers seasonal produce and other
country-themed merchandise.
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Another new concept this year is the “Plant-a-Kid©”
program. Plant-A-Kid was designed around the idea that helping minds
grow is not just something that can be accomplished through the
educational system, but by enlisting the support of the community at
large. The farm has asked local businesses, as well as area residents,
to sponsor individual children so that they may visit the farm.
“We get sponsorships and donations from local business to get
kids out here to do the maze,” said Scott. “We all know that
budget cuts are causing huge problems with the school systems. So, even
if the kids’ parents can pay for the ticket, the school district
very often can’t afford to send the busses out. Participants in
the Plant a Kid program can either pay for the bus or for the entire
field trip, whatever they decide to do. So that’s been working out
well,” Scott said.
THE MARKET IS OPEN
A great way to take a peek at Long & Scott Farms is by visiting
its open-air market. Twice a year, in May through the first part of
June, and then again in October and November, Scott’s Country
Market opens to the community. Complete with a live scarecrow in its
fall incarnation, the market features plenty of Scott’s Zellwood
sweet corn and other produce as well as jams, jellies and other goodies.
Call (352) 383-6900 for exact hours.
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Hank Scott greets young visitors on the farm tour.
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If you’d like to see more, climb aboard the hay ride, which takes
a wagonful of visitors on a 20-30 minute tour out in the fields.
You’ll learn about the history of Long & Scott Farms, what
they grow and how they grow it. The guide, an actual grower –
possibly Hank Scott himself – will also talk about farmers being
the very first environmentalists. Questions and participation are
required! Visitors will observe actual plants that are growing (corn
stalks, cucumber vines), and learn about each one.
Scott’s Zellwood sweet corn can be found in the finest gourmet
and specialty stores and its pickle cucumbers are available in major
terminal markets throughout the country. The pickles are bottled by
Claussen Pickle Co., United Pickle Products, Mt. Olive Pickles, Puckered
Pickle, Chipico/Vienna Beef, Strub Bro's, and many mom-and-pop companies
in the Northeast and Chicago. In addition, the farm grows its Fresh
Market cabbage, which is used for cole slaw. The farm also now grows 80
acres of sod to meet the needs of local landscapers and developers, and
recently added 100 acres of seedless watermelons.
To learn more, visit Long & Scott’s Web site, which
features an in-depth look at not only the maze, the farm, its produce
and the outdoor market, it also presents educational material about how
the Scotts grow their vegetables.
You still have a chance to check out all that the farm offers. The
maze and the market will be open through the last weekend in November.
After that, keep checking the Web site for the farm’s spring
schedule. Long & Scott Farms is located at 26216 CR 448A, near
Jones/Duda Road in Mt. Dora, Florida. Directions from just about
anywhere are on the farm's Web
site.
