Local farmers offer amusement

Two Curry County farmers have converted their seasonal crop into agritourism this October and one farmer has honored Cannon Air Force Base with his 10-acre corn maze.

Rocky Bernard, owner of St. Bernard Farms, said they got creative with their corn maze to honor the area's heroes.

Cannon Connections photo: Tony Bullocks

Kenneth Davis, owner of Davis Pumpkin Farm places a pumpkin in a display in the children's maze area. The farm features a maze and a pumpkin cannon called "Puff-Enuff," which has launched a pumpkin 2,880 feet.

"This year it's in a shape that honors Cannon Air Force Base," Bernard said. He added that there is a model aircraft in the maze.

That is just one of the attractions offered by St. Bernard Farms this October. Davis Farms is also offering pumpkins, mazes and attractions for the whole family.

Kenneth Davis, owner of Davis Farms, says people call them the green pumpkin patch because all of their materials are or will be recycled.

Davis said they decided to open their farm to the public about four years ago after a hail storm damaged their crops and they couldn't sell them to stores.

"It was so much fun, we just can't quit," Davis said.

It's St. Bernard Farms' second year being open to the public. Other attractions at the Bernard Farms include:

• Gem mining, which allows children to mine for gems, fossils or arrowstones in a creek. "They sift through the water for the gems," Bernard said.
• A 30-foot bouncy pillow.
• Childrens' peddle carts.
• A tire mountain filled with sand, which Bernard says children love to climb.
• A hay maze for smaller children.
• A 7,200-square foot wood maze. "It's a timed maze, if you beat the time that we allow, you win a little stuffed St. Bernard puppy," Bernard said.

The three things they offer at Davis Farms Pumpkin Patch are pumpkins, hay and recycled farm equipment, according to Davis.

"I turn farm junk into toys," Davis said. "I got a dinosaur made of compound parts. I've got a life-size antelope made out of horseshoes and a buffalo made out of barbwire."

He said once they close the farm to the public, the pumpkins and hay are fed to cattle.

Davis, a retired farmer, says what he likes best is watching the children have fun.

One special attraction at St. Bernard's farms is its haunted corn maze.

"The haunted maze is creepy, we make you walk into an old school bus," Bernard said. "I love all the screams, it's pretty cool."

Bernard added they have an abundance of pumpkins.

"We offer the hayride which takes you to the pumpkin patch where you can pick your own pumpkin," he said.