Fun on the Farm

   Eighteen yeas ago when the hog market hit rock bottom Susann and Phil Wendel , hog farmers,  wondered what to do.  Susann came up with the idea of planting mums, 2000 mums.  It was a success.  The next year they added  a corn maze.  That brought more people to their state line farm. 

  Each year they had new ideas,  a hay ride to a pumpkin patch,  tours for school children with pumpkins to take home.  Gourds and Indian  corn are good sellers. They did that.   

  When children visit a farm there must be animals; chickens, ponies, donkeys, sheep and pigs.  They could do that.  They did better than that. Their farm has peafowl, llamas, alpacas and goats. 
   Then they realized that the large farrowing house that had sat vacant for a few years could be repurposed.  Ag retail sales.  They had a jump on things with the mum sales and the corn maze, so they took the next step.

   It has been a  process of steps for this couple,  give them 5 stars.  . 
   I have never seen a better combination of agriculture, education, fun and sales.  Children of all ages will fall in love with this farm.  A bin to climb into shelled corn and play with buckets and scoops and tractors. 
Pick the potatoes out of the vegetable garden. (Real potatoes).
  Watch Molly the puppet tell how to plant pumpkin seeds.

Pet the pony (I think rides are available).  Pick your own pumpkin and ride the wagon to the patch.   What fun.  And there is lots more.  If I tell you everything you won’t be surprised. 
   It is more than just a children’s venue, it is for everyone who wants a day in the country.  Everyone  who wants to buy mums, or autumn decorations.   The 6 acre corn maze has a different theme each year.  “To The Moon And Back”

is this year’s theme. 
   Eight weeks each autumn you can enjoy the Wendel Farm and its activities.  Entertainment has changed, once  you could  just watch something.  Now children want to be doing and that is what makes this farm special.

   There is much to do and learn.
 

    The color of autumn