The Dixon Family opens Grandaddy’s Farm up to the public each fall for fun on the farm with a corn maze and pumpkin patch (and so much more). Located just an hour below Murfreesboro in Middle Tennessee. In Estill Springs, TN, the Dixons have managed hundreds of acres each year on which they grow corn, wheat, and soybeans for over 70 years. Andrew (that’s me!), along with his brother Philip and parents Steve and Karen, started cutting a corn maze and opening it to the public in 2006.

Cutting out the Corn Maze

It’s a lot of fun, but also very challenging to design and cut a corn maze. We have completed the task in different ways over the last 20 years. Our current way is the simplest. I’ll share that with you in this post. This year, we started with ChatGPT. I mean – smarter, not harder, right, haha. It gave us this picture after I gave it some input. Next, we cut the center out and used it for inspiration for a design that we came up with.

After the pumpkin with the 20 was cut out (It’s our 20th season!), Mom and I drew paths for folks to get lost in and created a maze design. From here, I scanned the image into the computer and uploaded it into a program that attaches GPS coordinates to our image. Next, I will outline the paths on the computer and then upload the file to the tractor. Because growing corn is our main job, we are blessed with a high-tech planter that we can use each year. With the file uploaded, the planter knows not to plant corn in the path and plant corn in the non-path areas. Pretty cool, right? I still think so after several years. Nonetheless, we still have to come back and trim the paths out with our lawnmower.

Farm and Family

Finally, I got to plant the corn maze with both my boys, Carter and Campbell, this year. It’s normally not easy when they tag along, but they sure do enjoy it, and the memories made are priceless.

Grandaddy’s Farm truly is a family farm. We hope you can bring your family for a visit this fall. Located in Middle TN and near Times Ford State Park. Remember to come hungry, as we have lots of good food made here at the farm! Check out the Eat Page for more info on all the mouthwatering treats and meals.