Proceeds from corn maze events at Waukon Feed Ranch to benefit local FFA programs and young cancer patient


Corn maze to benefit several causes ... The corn maze pictured above and created at the Waukon Feed Ranch Agronomy Center west of Waukon will be hosting a pair of benefit events the next two weekends for the general public to take part in. Both September 22-23 and 29-30, the public can tour the maze for a freewill donation, the proceeds of which will benefit both the Waukon and Kee High School FFA programs, as well as the family of Brogan Gavin of rural Lansing as he continues his treatment for leukemia. Photo courtesy of Isaac and Sean Cooper.

The Waukon Feed Ranch has created a corn maze at its Agronomy Center location along Old Highway 9 west of Waukon, and the next two weekends will feature events involving that maze that will benefit some local causes. For the next two Saturdays and Sundays, September 22-23 and 29-30, the public can navigate the corn maze for a freewill donation that will then be disbursed between the two FFA programs at Waukon and Kee High Schools, as well as to the family of five-year-old Brogan Gavin, son of Tom and Alana Gavin of rural Lansing who is currently undergoing treatment for leukemia.

“We chose the local FFA chapters in Allamakee County because we want to support the development of youth in our community and the future of agriculture,” said Waukon Feed Ranch Human Relations Manager Michelle Winkie. “When we learned that Brogan Gavin was diagnosed with leukemia, we also knew we wanted to support his fight. The Gavin family is a local, agriculture driven family and we are glad to see the community come together to support them.”

Winkie said the maze design (pictured above) was chosen because it fit the odd shape of the field in which it was being planted and also because it is unique and different. She said the design is called “the chain-link” and it was designed by Laura Martins of Martins Farm in Kansas.

Describing the process to create the corn maze, Winkie said that precision planting made the maze possible. “A digital design of the maze was used to guide the precision planting,” she explained. “The planter had automatic shut-offs to create the consistent five-foot path throughout the maze. The maze has needed minimal maintenance which has also saved on fuel costs.”

She further went on to describe the advantages of that precision planting process. “Although most farms are not aiming to plant a maze pattern, this does highlight the benefits of precision planting,” Winkie shared. “This is much more accurate and precise; on average, precision planting is estimated to save a farmer five percent more seed.”

The corn maze will be open from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. each of the next two Saturdays and Sundays for that benefit purpose. Additional activities will also be available. For more information about the event and all it entails, see the advertisement printed on Page 5A of this week’s issue of The Standard.