“Down The Rabbit Hole” Debuts At Mead Botanical Garden In Winter Park, Florida February 6 - March 14
“Down The Rabbit Hole” Debuts At Mead Botanical Garden In Winter Park, Florida February 6 - March 14
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Frank Scott Jr. began farming with his father, Frank Scott Sr. in Cape Charles, Virginia. Billy Long grew up on a neighboring family farm, but found his way to Zellwood, Florida and became a “muck farmer”. Billy talked Frank into moving to Florida and growing Kirby cucumbers in the sandy soil of Zellwood. So in 1963 Frank, along with his wife Becky and their three children, Rebecca, Hank and Marks moved to Florida to establish Long and Scott Farms on 100 acres of land. Frank expanded Long and Scott Farms to 1,200 acres as they produced Zellwood Sweet Corn, pickling (Kirby) cucumbers, both red and green cabbage, along with a variety of other produce. Both sons, Hank and Marks grew up working on the farm after school and in the summers. With these agricultural roots, in 1979 after graduating from the University of South Florida, Hank Scott then begin managing the farm and became a 3rd generation farmer. Hank married Cindy in 1981. After the birth of the couple’s two children, Cindy joined the farm in 1988 to manage the office. Frank kind of semi-retired, he still comes to the farm everyday to participate, he still loves to be on a tractor. Cindy has since retired to babysit her grandchildren, and both of Hank and Cindy’s children, Sonny and Haley are now working on the farm. They represent the 4th generation of the Scott family’s farming tradition. Marks, the youngest brother manages his local own nursery, PlowBoys Horticulture, along with his wife Mary.
In the early years, the Scotts were able to purchase additional acreage for increased production. Then, in the late 1990’s, the state of Florida mandated the shut-down of approximately 18,000 acres of muck farms around Lake Apopka. The mandate did not include Long and Scott, a sand farm, and in 1998 it became the sole remaining farm in an area once devoted to and known for the large-scale production of sweet corn and many other vegetables. Without other farms and farm businesses around it was tough going, to survive them the farm had to diversify and change. Hank and Cindy seized the opportunity to trademark Scott’s Zellwood Sweet Corn™, and the farm continues to be the only producers of Zellwood Sweet Corn. Surrounded by an exploding population, the family also decided to expand their roadside produce stand to an open-air country market. They set aside 10 acres to grow a larger variety of vegetables and started a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. The CSA was well received by those members that signed up, but growing a variety of produce demands more maintenance and labor then many, many acres of one crop. Without enough members the program was not financially feasible. It is always on the back burner to do again when the time is right.
In 2003 with thoughts of bringing more people out to the farm and the new market, they decided to get involved with Agri-tainment. Many farms across the country are doing this in hopes of staying around. After the first 7 acre corn maze brought in 5,000 people, it has become a tradition for many. Every year there is a new design in the corn field and something new is added to the maze activity area. Currently Scott’s Maze Adventures brings in around 30,000 visitors each fall season. Hank’s sister Rebecca took early retirement to come in and manage the Corn Maze. Over the years, besides the thousands of people that come on the weekend general public days, the farm has hosted hundreds of school groups throughout the weekdays. Not only is the maze educational but it gives many kids a firsthand view of the farm.
The goal is to find 21 different stations hidden in the big maze, and then to find your way back out. We have guests divide into smaller teams of 4-6 people and work together to complete the game sheet for the Corn Maze. Everyone is shown a Maze Video; this is a comical way to see how the maze game sheet works and hear all the rules. To make sure everyone finds their way out of the maze, each group is given a flag at the entrance of the maze to wave for help if needed. Staff members are available inside the maze to give hints to the frustrated. To complete the game sheet it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours, and there is not just one way to get through the maze.
Our maze adventure is so popular because it levels the playing field between all ages. It doesn’t matter who you are, how old you are, or how smart you are. The maze is a puzzle bigger than any one person. Teamwork is a feature of solving these gigantic puzzles. We try to provide a unique outdoor adventure in a safe environment.
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