Agritourism – Page 14 – Hugh McPherson

04 Oct 2019

Maybe you just need a change in perspective.

Agritourism, Family Business, Maize Quest Corn Maze & Fun Park, Seasonal Business

Hey, I'm in a busy season of life, and maybe you are, too. Between business, family, teenagers, community activities and everything else we have to juggle in our lives, it seems like life and decision-making keep getting closer. Almost like I'm living life right in front of my face. If you've raised teenagers, you know what I mean. You'll hear things such as, "This test is life or death", or "If I don't get my drivers license, everything's over", or "I can't stand this [INSERT person/place/thing/idea] for one more minute". That's living life "right in front of your face". As we age, the notion of wisdom might…

03 Oct 2019

“You should do what YOU want to do.” Really, we mean it.

Agritourism, Family Business, Seasonal Business

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUiD2mAVwHI Need a reminder? Click the picture to see a video of what it's like on the farm this time of year! Cool weather arrives! Apple Season goes PRIME TIME: Red Chief, Smoothee Gold, Empires, Fuji, JonaGold, Mutsu, Stayman Orchard & Market Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-5PM, Sun 1PM-7PM Winery Hours: Sat 12PM-5PM, Sun 1PM-5PM Maize Quest: Fri 10AM-10PM, Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 1PM-7PM "You should do what YOU want to do." The Rolling Stones said, "You can't always get what you want." Isn't that true! Life deals out a series of obligations and a healthy dose of guilt to go along with them. There simply are things…

26 Sep 2019

“Are you significant?” Perspective from the night sky on the farm.

Agritourism, Family Business, Seasonal Business

There are more pumpkins than you can count in this picture alone! The patch covers 8+ football fields and we planted over 25,000 pumpkin seeds. Sunny weather continues! Apple Season goes PRIME TIME: Red Chief, Smoothee Gold, Empires, Fuji, JonaGold, Mutsu, Stayman Orchard & Market Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-5PM, Sun 1PM-7PM Winery Hours: Sat 12PM-5PM, Sun 1PM-5PM Maize Quest: Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 1PM-7PM "Are we significant?" Humans were made to work towards a purpose. On the shelves of bookstores, scrolling on Amazon.com you'll find thousands of titles relating to finding your purpose and building your life around that purpose. We do not need those books.…

19 Sep 2019

“Farming & Economics” + a Secret Pumpkin Preview Weekend at Maize Quest.

Agritourism, Family Business, Seasonal Business

Farmer Hugh is a little fella, but that's still a BIG pumpkin! Sunny weather continues to headline this Fall season, so get out for apples & pumpkins in your shorts! Apple Season goes PRIME TIME: Red Chief, Smoothee Gold, Empires, Fuji, JonaGold, Mutsu Orchard & Market Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-5PM, Sun 1PM-6PM Winery Hours: Sat 12PM-5PM, Sun 1PM-5PM Maize Quest: Sat 10AM-4PM, Sun 1PM-6PM "Farms are the ultimate economic engine for communities." 'Buy Local' isn't just a tagline it's a critical choice you make that really makes a difference. This time of year, the farm is buzzing with activity. Harvest is underway, school tours are…

12 Sep 2019

“Messages in the Maze”

Agritourism, Family Business, Maize Quest Corn Maze & Fun Park, Seasonal Business

Ever wonder how to reach kids today? How about teenagers?! Maybe you need some Messages from the Maze... Hey Friends, As my kids have grown and progressed through various stages and ages, we’ve noticed that our family gets more out of life when we live in the present; in this very moment. My kids are 17 & 15 now, so my wife and I have been through preschool age activities, PTO functions, and Vacation Bible School. Now we’re into youth symphony, marching band, cross country, swimming, and so many more. The trick is living each year, each phase "in the moment". Each group…

11 Sep 2019

Maize Quest’s “Keep Hiring”

Agritourism, Employee Management, Maize Quest Corn Maze & Fun Park, Seasonal Business

"Keep Hiring" Hey Friends, No matter how many employees and trainees you have on your roster, you don't have enough. Things are going to come up - schedule conflicts, incompetent hires you thought would work out, that crazy busy weekend that happened after that rainy weekend, it all adds up to subtract from your roster. You need to keep hiring. This time of year gets hectic, though it should never come as a surprise. We are in the middle of wine events, farm market, pick-your-own orchards, the corn maze is open every weekend, tours are starting... you know how it is, hectic. Being short-staffed is…

05 Sep 2019

Maize Quest’s “Worry robs the present and bankrupts the future.”

Agritourism, Family Business, Seasonal Business

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxl93wosf5A&t=31s When I was a kid, I enjoyed the "Mr. Men "book series by Roger Hargreaves, including "Mr. Worry." You might enjoy this little cartoon version illustrating the concept of worry, how to deal with it, and the trap of worrying day in and day out. Peach Season is in the final weekend with Autumn Star Freestones. The Full-Season Apple Orchard features pick-your-own Blondee, Gala, Fuji, Jonee, Macintosh, Red Chief and Smoothee. Get Cider, Donuts, Honey & More in the market, too. Orchard & Market Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-5PM, Sun 1PM-6PM Winery Hours: Sat 12PM-5PM, Sun 1PM-5PM Maize Quest: Sat 10AM-4PM, Sun 1PM-6PM "Worry robs the present and…

21 Aug 2019

Maple Lawn Farms “Trying Apples to Zinnias, on the farm.”

Agritourism, Family Business, Maize Quest Corn Maze & Fun Park, Maple Lawn Farms, Seasonal Business

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idi-gpsnGYk Aug 31, 2019 the Maize Quest Corn Maze & Fun Park open with an incredible new attraction - 50,000 Pick-Your-Own Zinnias - CLICK to Watch the Video! Peach Season is PRIME Right Now with Messina & Autumn Star, Fantasia Nectarines, Blondee, GingerGold, Zestar & Gala Summer Apples, Get (3) fruits in (1) trip! Orchard & Market Hours: OPEN NOW 8AM-5PM Weekly: Hours are Mon-Sat 8AM-5PM, Sun 1PM-5PM Winery Hours: Sat 12PM-5PM, Sun 1PM-5PM "From Apples to Zinnias on the farm." A to Z, it's a saying and a depiction of trying a little of everything; or a store carrying a vast array of…

09 Aug 2019

187,000 Sunflowers in Bloom at the 3rd annual Sunflower Festival

Agritourism, Maple Lawn Farms, Seasonal Business

ALL the sunflowers are blooming! Read all the details in our official media release, then plan your day and click above to get your tickets. Sunflowers are the “Happiest Crop on Earth” at Maple Lawn Farms, host of the 3rd Annual Sunflower Festival Aug 9-11 and 16-18, 2019. The farmers have planted over 187,000 sunflower seeds for 2019’s event, and many varieties produce more than one bloom per seed. This sunflower field is no ordinary ‘patch.’ This year’s field, the size of 10 football fields combined, features special plantings in a display garden, the “Big Field of Yellow”, the “Red Sea”, “The Wilds” and…

22 Jul 2019

Moving targets Part 2 of 3. – Online Advertising.

Agritourism, Email Marketing Tools, Marketing Tools, Seasonal Business

[Recap] In a world of marketing choices, we suggest you create three focus areas, here listed by priority: Content creationOnline advertisingCustomer collection & follow-up We'll split these up into three emails, one for each topic over the next few blogs. You can always email questions along the way. Part 2 of 3 "Moving targets" - Online Advertising. Hey, [[ contact.first_name | default: 'Friend' ]], Part 2 - Online advertising In an upcoming marketing course called the Event Tsunami, we'll provide the final blueprint for online advertising, but the concepts we'll share here you can use right now. You can't start the week…