A-Maze-Ing way to teach Ag Appreciation
Kennedy, an MCES student, runs with glee towards the maize of maze the students visited Friday.
By Jennifer Moonsong
Central Division,
General Manager,
Jobe Publishing, Inc.
Fall is in the air, and it’s once again the time of year when the community can enjoy the fruits of the Hawkins family and Ag student’s labor.
This is the third year in a row the maze has been created.
“We wanted to promote agriculture and use the available school property so the corn maze was a win, win idea,” said Lynn Hawkins who heads up the project.
Lynn says the maze offers opportunities to teach and learn.
“We had a field trip on our school campus. My students research corn facts and create the educational posters and then gain public speaking skills as well as leadership skills by giving tours to all of the elementary students,” she said.
Each year, Hawkins strives to add something new to a fun day.
“This year we have more hands-on Activites! We are doing a biodegradable lab with corn products and a corn byproduct exhibit,” Hawkins said.
For Hawkins who lives on a working farm with her family, her sentiments about farming and farm appreciation are evident.
“I want people to appreciate the hard work that goes into feeding us. We live and breathe agriculture, and love farm life. I’m honored that I have the opportunity to teach agriculture. With most young people being three generations removed from production agriculture, it is important to expose them to their food sources,” she said.
“The corn maze is a fun way to sneak in a little agriculture- it might spark an interest. We need young people to be mindful of where our food comes from.”
Following the annual educational day when elementary school students get to visit the maze after traveling there on a hay wagon, the maze takes a somewhat more spooky turn.
“The students at the high school then turn the educational maze into a haunted maze. This gives our community an affordable family activity to get in the Halloween spirit,” Hawkins said.
“The proceeds go back to the Ag program to support other projects. All in all, it is an amazing experience. We are deciding on a name for the haunted maze- field of screams, children of the corn, or haunted acres. I try to let the students make decisions, solve problems, and make the projects work.”
Anyone interested in visiting the maze can do so Friday, October 25 and 26, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. for only $2 a person.
On Tuesday the 29th, the maze will host a family fun night, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., also for just $2 a person.
The corn is planted and tended to by the Hawkins family who uses it as an education tool for agriculture.
Connor and Hunter, MCHS sophomores tend the math station.
Hanna and Savannah at the word scramble station await curious little minds.
