Family Business – Page 8

08 Jan 2021

Where do we go from here – Part 1 of 3

Agritourism, Family Business, Seasonal Businessagritourism, business growth, small business

Peering into the future, knowing circumstances are out of our control, what are we supposed to do? This 3-part series is a conversation about where we go from here. Hey gang, Oh, what a difference a year makes. I write to you from the comfort of my home, safe and away from most other people. Being away from people, as you might guess, is NOT my natural state. So many extrovert agritourism operators like me probably spent last Fall struggling to avoid hugging long-time guests and missing terribly end of the season employee parties. The New Year is filled with new beginnings, new…

28 Nov 2020

I hope you are goofing off + a family story.

Agritourism, Family Business, Maple Lawn Winery, Seasonal Business

The first bottle of Strawberry Blossom Wine is labeled and ready for the Drive-Thru, now to label 900 more... I hope you are goofing off. I grew up a workaholic. Farmers are in perpetual motion, and my family was no different. That's just how farming is. I luckily married a city girl who came from a 9-5 family with every weekend off. Needless to say, that created some friction. Friction can make heat or smooth rough edges. The friction made heat for a while as Janine, my lovely wife, and I were young and figuring things out. Once we had kids, the…

19 Nov 2020

What just happened? 2020 explored.

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

This season I felt a little like the kid on the rollercoaster above, and a little like the mom. Scared, then excited and no matter what, things were going to happen - and happen FAST! What just happened? The year explored. Hey gang, I know I haven't been very regular on blogging this year. Now that things are slowing down at our home farm.* I hope you'll participate with me in a period of reflection. (*Slowing Down?! which is a relative term for farmers as we finish corn harvest, bottle strawberry wine, prep the fun park for new attractions, and winterize…

17 Nov 2020

New wines, while we’re keeping you safe & warm.

Agritourism, Family Business, Seasonal Business

Secret look into the idea machine that drives Maize Quest's quest for "The Next Big Thing." "You can't have all your good ideas at once." - Farmer Hugh. Sometimes a new idea seems so obvious once you say it that Well, the temperatures are sliding down, and you might be wondering how you're going to make it through the winter months without going stir-crazy. Your friends here at Maple Lawn haven't stopped working for you, even though we've closed our doors for the season! On Saturday December 5th, we re-opening for one final Drive-Thru Event - "The Delicious December Drive-Thru" At the Drive…

06 Nov 2020

LIVE silly weather updates ‘in song’ from the gorgeous farm & fun park.

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLXAXjbe-0c CLICK TO WATCH Farmer Hugh sing LIVE from the sunshiny tower and maze for the final weekend's updates Secret look into the idea machine that drives Maize Quest's quest for "The Next Big Thing." "You can't have all your good ideas at once." - Farmer Hugh. Sometimes a new idea seems so obvious once you say it that you can't believe it took you so long to come up with it in the first place. When we came up with the mountain slide idea, it made so much sense! Other times, we've had an idea on the back burner, waiting for…

03 Nov 2020

Your decisions matter, especially to farmers.

Agritourism, Family Business, Seasonal Business

All the eligible McPhersons will vote today, but how do you vote daily? Your choices really matter, particularly to farmers. Your decisions matter, especially to farmers. Hey Friend, If you were able, thank you for voting today. Voting is a rare privilege in this world that we often take for granted. Voting rights weren't granted to anyone before the founding of this nation! It's poetic to talk about voting right before the final weekend of the 2020 Fall Harvest Season on the farm. Yes, just ONE weekend of fun and adventure remain! I want to talk with you about other important choices and decisions…

27 Oct 2020

Freedom through discipline. Life lessons from the farm.

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

1984 photo by Gail McPherson of the Paul McPherson, Generation 4, after the completion of the farm market you know and enjoy today. Growth happens slowly over time; a lesson it took me awhile to learn. Freedom through discipline. Life lessons from the farm. Hello from the farm! The full quote is from Jocko Willink, Navy Seal: "Freedom is what everyone wants — to be able to act and live with freedom. But the only way to get to a place of freedom is through discipline. [For instance] If you want more free time, you have to follow a more…

22 Oct 2020

The “First of the Lasts” -time keeps on tickin’

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSKlXbpeFV8 CLICK TO WATCH a beautiful flyover video of ALL the attractions, pumpkin patch, wagon rides and more - We took our time so you can really SEE everything. If you were ever struggling to tell someone about the farm, show them this video. You have to see it to believe it! Farm: Mon-Sat 8AM-5PM, Sun 1PM-5PM Maze: Friday - (tentatively 10AM-10PM, stay tuned for rain info!), Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 1-6PM - Both look gorgeous! Winery: Sat 12-6PM, Sun 1PM-6PM The "First of the Lasts" - time keeps on tickin' Hello from the farm! Steve Miller Band's 1972 hit song "Fly Like and Eagle" coined…

15 Oct 2020

Apple picking secrets and how to farm tour.

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADT_qRVqs7A CLICK TO WATCH Farmer Hugh loses his mind while walking the pumpkin patch, but please forgive him - He loves this stuff! Farm: Mon-Sat 8AM-5PM, Sun 1PM-5PM Maze: Friday - (tentatively 10AM-10PM, stay tuned for rain info!), Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 1-6PM - Both look gorgeous! Winery: Sat 12-6PM, Sun 1PM-6PM Apple picking secrets and how to farm tour. It's "go-time" the farm! It's the most wonderful time of the year on the farm. Pumpkins are ready, apples are ready and the FUN is ready, too! Did you know about the TWO NEW attractions this year in the Fun Park: The Super Mega Ride-n-Slide -…

13 Oct 2020

Charles Darwin & farmers agreed, on some things.

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

Admiralty map of the Galápagos prepared from data provided by Captain Robert Fitzroy, whose signature and inscription appear at the top. Farm & Pick-Your-Own Orchards: Mon-Sat 8AM-5PM, Sun 1PM-5PM, Open Columbus Day monday, too! Maze: Fri & Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 1-6PM, Columbus Day 10AM-4PM Winery: Sat 12-5PM, Sun 1PM-5PM Charles Darwin & farmers agreed, on some things. Hello from the farm! Charles Darwin was an English scientist who did his work throughout the 1800's most famously for his theory of evolution. I certainly am not qualified to launch a discussion on that, but I was struck by one of his quotes, "It is not…