Fall Fun

Are you looking for something to do this weekend?  Well, we're still open!  Despite some damage from the storms a couple weeks ago, we're still entertaining visitors to Country Fun Farm with our Vexcon Maze, The Jumpy Thing, The Barn Swing, Zip Line, Pig Races, Duck Races and More!  So, take some time out of your busy life and join us for some FARMtastic Family Fun!

Rain! Yeah!

I know it's unusual to get excited about rain.  But, let's face it; we've been more than a little dry the past couple of months.  And a little rain, will just make everything look a whole lot greener.  Since, it's still early in the week, we don't anticipate the rain being a factor at the Maze this weekend.  If we do end up making delays or cancellations due to weather, we'll let you know on this blog, and on our Facebook & Twitter pages. 

We still have plenty to do at Country Fun Farm for the next few weekends.  So, come on out and have a FARMtastic Time.

Weekend Forecast

Another perfect weekend to visit the Corn Maze here at Country Fun Farms.  The temperatures will be in the 70s and low 80s and not a drop of rain in site!  For after dark visits to the Haunted Maze, don't forget to bring a jacket as the temperatures are dropping.

We're excited for this weekend - Halloween!  We have the scariest, frightening thrill of all -- our Haunted Maze!  If you're game for a seriously, aggressive FRIGHTfest, you need to take a walk on the wild side (or maybe it's a dash on the dangerous side) and go through this year's Haunted Maze.

Want a glimpse of what's in store?  Visit http://arklatexhomepage.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=133946 and see KTAL News feature about the ArkLaTex's best haunted thrill.

Rain?? Only a few drops last night. Still pretty dry!

We know it will seem amazing to hear this, but even after the big storm that was all around us last night, we had only a few sprinkles!
We have been having such a great time with the activities on the farm-the time is flying by! We can't believe it is almost Halloween. Other than the silly weather last night, we have had a great weather year at Dixie Maze. We couldn't be more pleased!
Field trips are really enjoying their time on the farm with our professional animal handler and all the activities they can do.
We have had a huge response for the pumpkin patch, so don't miss your chance to get you one! Remember, you get to go out to the field and pick your very own--off of the vine! We appreciate those who have visited and we are hoping for a season with continued great weather. Come on out now, ya hear?!

Clouds & Sunshine

Don't let the clouds chase you away - We're still open today.  We haven't even had a drop of rain!  So, come on over to Country Fun Farm and enjoy the nice weather while you navigate the Corn Maze & Barnyard Fun.  Have a FARMtastic day!

Not too Hot & Not too Cold

It's going to be another awesome weekend at Country Fun Farm.  The weather's perfect - not too hot and not too cold.  It's Just Right - another "Goldilocks Day" at the Maze.  Seriously, could the weather be more perfect for an outing at Northwest Louisiana's best Corn Maze?

This weekend when you come make sure you take a jump or two or three or several hundred on the Jumpy Thing.  It's FARMtastic!  It's kindof like a cross between a trampoline, and air castle and a mattress.  Did you ever get in trouble for jumping on your bed?  Well, jump on the Jumpy Thing instead - it's similar and way may fun. 

We still have plenty of "On-the-Vine" Pumpkins to choose from.  Whether they are for Jack-O-Lanterns, table decorations or good old smashing, we have the size and shape you want for a terrific price.  Plus, you know exactly where your pumpkin came from - it hasn't been shipped half way across the country.  It's been picked straight from the vine!

With so much to do at Country Fun Farm make sure you plan your day accordingly.  Plan for at least an hour in the Maze, and an hour or two in the Barnyard.  And don't forget our premier Huanted Maze!  Prepared to have the "shucks" scared out of you from the moment of entry to the moment of exit.  We put on a show you have to "see" to believe.

See you at the Maze.

Birthday Parties

For our visitors using Firefox and Safari Internet Browers, we're sorry for some of the drop down menus not operating correctly.  We're in the process of resolving the issue.  In the mean time, please use the following links for the following pages:

1.     Group Reservaions:   http://www.dixiemaze.com/group.html
2.     Birthday Party Reservations:  http://www.dixiemaze.com/birthday.html
3.     Group & Party Extras:  http://www.dixiemaze.com/extras.html
4.     MAZEcentric Cakes:  http://www.dixiemaze.com/cakes.html

Have a great weekend and don't forget to visit the Maze!

Tots, Toddlers, Tweens and Teens

Country Fun Farm truly has it ALL!  Every age group, every personality, there is something FARMtastic to do for everyone.  Today we want to focus on a couple of age groups and what might interest them in the Barnyard and around Farm.  So, come to Country Fun Farms to get lost in the Maze and explore the Barnyard. 

Tots & Toddlers
The 8 and under crowd are instictively drawn to our Tire Swings.  They swing and climb all over them.  Some even pretend to race one another.  When your Tot tires from the Tire Swing, lead them over to our Duck Races.  Children love to frantically pump water into their trough to get their duck to the finish line first.  Several kids can race at once, which of course adds to the FARMtastic Fun.

Don't forget to have your child take a leisurely ride in our Cow Train.  Each car is painted to look like what else - a cow!  Plus, they get the excitement of riding in a "TRAIN" - an aMAZEn bit of fun for this particular age group.  We have tons more too - the Pig Races, Face Painting, The Jumpy Thing, Corn Bin and simply chasing the chickens around the Barnyard.  For a change of pace, take a Hayride out to the Pumpkin Patch and of course exploring the Maze is a great activity for the entire family.

Tweens & Teens
We've added even more excitement this year to our Barnyard - Our Zip Line.  We're not talking a meazely 10 or 20 feet of zip line either, but nearly an entire football field of zip - zapping fun.  After a couple of zips on the Zip Line, try to Barn Swing (it's not as "laid back" as the name implies).  The Barn Swing doesn't go back n' forth, but in a circle, just like those dizzy, spinning, FUNtastic carnival rides at the fair.  If you tweens & tweens tire of the Zip Line and Barn Swing, they should try the Jumpy Thing and the Corn Bin which are fun activities for all ages.

Tweens and Teens also love the Corn Cannon and Pumpkin Launcher.  Ready, Aim, FIRE!  They can practice for both distance and accuracy, plus maybe get some teenage angst out of their systems.  And of course the ULTIMATE tween & teen experience is the Haunted Maze.  Our haunters get better every year and the SCARE factor does too!  This is the best Haunting experience in the ArkLaTex simply because we provide that exclusive "Children of the Corn" phobia to the experience.

Hey and we've only focused on two age groups.  Really, truly Country Fun Farm has something for everyone no matter your age, activity level, or personality.  Let's face it, some of us simply want to sit back, relax and visit while our children scamper through the Barnyard and explore the Maze, while others will dive right in and join them.  So come join us this weekend.  You'll enjoy every FARMtastic minute!

Had the Schucks scared out of you?

Have you only visited Country Fun Farms during the day?  As fun as we are during daylight, we're both FUN & SCARY at night.  The Haunted Maze is the ultimate Fright Fest in the ArkLaTex.  Where else can you cross "Children of the Corn" with the best frights of a Haunted House?  It's an aMAZEngly FRIGHTFUL experience.   Let us scare the "Shucks" out of you!

Our Haunters are aMAZEn!  With each year and each haunting, they get better (meaning SCARIER)! 
PLEASE treat our haunters with care. Remember, you pay us to have them scare you!   The Haunted Maze is an extreme haunt. Parents should be fully aware of what to expect and plan accordingly.  There are NO refunds for anyone who changes their mind. 


If the Haunted Maze is a little extreme for your tastes, you can also simply go through our non-haunted mazes after dark.  The non-haunted phases of The Maze prove extra-challenging after dusk (and a lot more fun). Glow sticks are available for purchase if you need some extra help lighting the way or you may bring a flashlight.

So try a new Country Fun Farm experience this year.  Either take an After Dark Visit of a non-haunted maze or viist our Frightenly Awesome Haunted Maze.

Sunny Skies and Cool Temperatures!

We're looking forward to another exciting weekend at Country Fun Farm.  The weather promises to be sunny and mild (a major contrast from this time last year - all that rain).  Our zip line is up and running - nearly a football field length of fun and excitement.  After your Zipline experience, shoot some tennis balls (well, they ARE yellow!) at our cow targets with the Corn Cannon, visit the Pumpkin Patch, take a swing on the Barn Swing, and get lost in the Maze, plus all of our other fabulous activities. 

The Jumpy Thing will also be available this weekend.  We know you've missed jumping the past couple of weekends, but "safety first".  We're excited to have it back and we know you will be too.  It's like a giant trampoline for kids (and adults) of all ages and Waaaaaay cooler than an ordinary air castle.  It's a total blast!

New Fun & Changes

We've added new features this year at Country Fun Farm like our Zip Line and Professional Face Painters.  We've also made some changes to the way we do business.  For example, we've changed some of our discounts.  Please make sure you check out our website to discover what the new features and policies are for 2010.  Our business is organic and we've made these changes and additions to benefit our visitors.

Opening Day Thank You!

Thanks to everyone who came out the past Saturday and Sunday to the Maze.  We had perfect weather for our Barnyard Activities, exploring the Maze and our Haunted Maze & Trails.  We can hardly wait to see everyone this coming weekend for more FARMtastic excitement at Country Fun Farms

The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow!

The sun will come out tomorrow,
Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow,
There'll be sun.
Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow.
It's only a day away!

Opening Day is TOMORROW! 
It's time to get LOST in the maze.  So, slather on your sunscreen, tie your tennies, put on your shades, and drive out to Country Fun Farms.  Our Maze is a tall tunnel of twists & turns guaranteed to cause a little anxiety as you question yourself as to whether or not you'll ever find an exit.  (You will; it just might take a while).  Check out our pig races, zip line and Jumpy Thing.  Visit the Pumpkin Patch and Concession Stands.  You're in for a FARMtastic adventure at Country Fun Farms.

FARMtastic Extras & Savings

Receive a $1 Off the ticket purchase price by texting the word "coupon" to 318-936-9191. 


We are now offering aerial photos of the 2010 Maze Design featuring the Vexcon Logo.  Receive your photo by emailing maze@countryfunfarms.com with the word "photo" in the Subject Line.

Maps of the Maze are now available.  Email maze@countryfunfarms.com with the word "map" in the Subject Line to receive your Map of the 2010 Maze.

Aerial View

Wow!  This year's maze looks a-MAZE-ing!  We're very pleased with the design & our aerial photos and can hardly wait til we open so you can get LOST in it's twist and turns.

We still have a few Pre-Season Discount Haunting Tickets left. Don't miss out on this fabulous offer. Go to http://www.dixiemaze.com/ for more information and to place your order.

Get Them While Their HOT!!!

We're Crazy! We just added 50 more Pre-Season Discount Haunting Tickets. We've had such a tremendous response, we just couldn't help ourselves! But, they are still going like hotcakes. And, sadly there soon won't be any left. So, don't hesitate. Order your Discount Haunting Tickets Now!

Pre-Season Tickets Are Going Fast!

Oh! My!  The Pre-Season DISCOUNT Tickets are nearly gone!  That's right GONE, "El Fine", "KaPoot", "Nada",  So, if you haven't purchased your Pre-Season Tickets - what are you waiting for?  Seriously, when are you ever going to get a deal like this again? 

Not only do you get Haunting Tickets for 50% off, you also get a TON more!
■All Country Fun Farm Activities on any day during normal business hours from September 25 - November 20, 2010
■1 Zip Line Usage
■1 Free Pumpkin (redeemable AFTER Media Day)
■Invitation to Media Day, September 18, 2010
     ■Media Day Cookout
     ■Autographed Aerial Photo of the Maze (Signed by Billy the Exterminator)
     ■Enter Drawing for Crop Duster Plane Ride & Aerial view of maze. (Must be present at Media Day to enter drawing)

Stop hesitating and Buy A Ticket!  They won't last forever!

VIP Pre-Season Discount Tickets

Here's your chance to save some real chicken scratch, the green kind. Every year we sell a limited number of admission tickets at a huge (hog size) discount. The regular price for an "all activities" (package 2) ticket at DixieMaze which includes the corn maze, the haunted corn maze, the haunted trails, hay ride, barn swing, 600 foot zipline(new this year), the jumpy thing, EVERYTHING on the farm, is $20. This year we will sell 500 package 2 tickets for $10. I know - it's crazy! But things are so expensive these days and this is our way of helping at least 500 people enjoy our farm for less.  Buy tickets

BUT WAIT... THERE'S MORE!
The lucky 500 VIP Ticket Holders will be invited to attend our VIP/Media day on September 18th one week before our season opener on the 25th. On that day we will have the grill cooking up hamburgers and hotdogs for everyone in attendance and you can be the first to try your luck with the maze and all our other fun activities.  Buy tickets

HOLD ON...THERE'S EVEN MORE!
If you looked at the other article in this email you know that Billy The Exterminator and Vexcon is our maze theme for this year, Billy and his team will be at our farm on the VIP/Media day to meet you and autograph an aerial photo of the maze for each VIP.  Buy tickets

WAIT...WE'RE NOT DONE!
In addition to all that, the ticket intitles you to attend the maze any day during the season that we are open and when you come Billy and Vexcon have graciously offered to give you a pumpkin from our pumpkin patch!!!! We're still working out the bugs (that was for you Billy) of how Billy is going to get out in that field and pick all them pun'kins!  Buy tickets

HOLD YER HORSES...WE AIN'T DONE YET!
On the VIP/Media day each VIP in attendance will be entered in a drawing and 10 super duper lucky VIP's will be drawn to go up in that "little broke down crop dustin" airplane for a first hand aerial look of the maze.

REMEMBER, THERE ARE ONLY 500 OF THESE TICKETS AVAILABLE, FIRST COME FIRST SERVED - WHEN THEY'RE GONE, THEY'RE GONE!

Billy The Exterminator & Vexcon

Bad To The Bone!

We are as happy as a tick in a pigs ear to announce that the 2010 maze design features Billy The Exterminator and VEXCON!

Everyone in Louisiana and especially in the Shreveport/Bossier area is proud of Billy and his team! We are honored to spotlight them in our 2010 maze design. The "Billy The Exterminator" show on A&E is a huge success and it has introduced our area to millions of people across the nation in an extremely positive way.

We would like to thank the whole VEXCON team for joining with us this year and you can bet it will be a season you don't want to miss!

Soooo, bee sure to snake your way to our farm this year for farmtastic fun! Don't sit at home and play possum. It will bug you for the rest of your life and the disappointment will be stinging. Be clever as a fox and get lost at the maze. We look forward to setting bait to get you out here! After dark watch out for our web of traps and the spooks roaming the dark pathways looking for victims to exterminate (looks like we're going to have some fun with this...).

Movies & Moonbeams

A couple weeks ago, we experienced our first "Movies & Moonbeams" event.  We were at a birthday party being held at Riverfront park in Shreveport.  There were crews setting up a huge projection screen on the pavillion.  Curiosity got the better of us and we discovered they would be showing the iconic classic of the 1980s - "Top Gun" in an hour or so.  Of course, we stayed.

By the time the movie started, 200-300 people were scattered across the park in camp chairs and on blankets muching popcorn and mingling with one another.  In the background, kids ran through the dancing fountains and played the usual childhood games - tag, freeze tag, and keep away.  Couples "canoodled" (after all it was "Top Gun) and young families took in the cool breeze.  Yes, there was a nice cool breeze that evening. 

The movie was of course just as good as when we first watched it in 1984.  But, that really wasn't what mattered to me.  It was the shared event, the shared experience of watching a movie out in the open.  It brought to mind the lazy days of summer of my youth.  We'd all pile into the family station wagon and head down to the local Drive-In for the weekly double feature.  Mom and Dad sat in the car with the baby, windows rolled down, speaker in the window.  We kids layed out blankets on the ground and the hood of the car.  After a few minutes of playing frisbee, we settled down to watch movies such as "Bed Knobs & Broomsticks", "The Jungle Book", "ET" and "Star Wars" (the original one).  We munched on popcorn mezmerized by the sites on the big screen, dazzled by the hundreds of lightning bugs and cooled by the summer nighttime breeze. 

To me, "Movies & Moonbeams" is the modern day version of a Drive-In.  You still have to slather on bug repellant and tote in your snacks.  Instead of  reclining the seats of your car, you pitch a couple of camp chairs or a blanket.  But the magic is the same.

To capture your own summer magic through  Movies and Moonbeams visit their website at http://www.moviesandmoonbeams.org/.  Movies are held throughout the summer and fall at various parks throughout Shreveport/Bossier.

Summer Reading

Are you spending the day recovering from your 4th of July celebrations?  Napping is, of course, an option.  But why not kick back in a lounge chair, hammock, or porch swing with a good book?  Add a tall glass of ice cold lemonade and a bowl of fresh blueberries and you have the makings of a perfect summer day.

We've compiled a list of some of our favorite summer reads or choose your own.

• Farmer Boy (Laura Ingalls Wilder):   The book follows Almonzo Wilder, as a boy, growing up on a farm in upstate New York during the mid 1800s.
• Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (Barbara Kingsolver):  One family's year of living off of what they grow and raise and buying locally.  No bananas for a year!  Filled with recipes and thought provoking questions on the American lifestyle.
• 1000 Acres (Jane Smiley):  Nothing says hot, lazy summer days than descriptions of a Kansas farm.  A modernized version of King Lear.
• Cane River (Lalita Tademy):  An Oprah Book Club Selection a few years ago, Cane River follows the life of plantation slaves.  Set in the luscious Cane River valley of central Louisiana.
• 29 Gifts (Cami Walker):  Learn how to give of yourself daily in small, but significant ways.
• New York (Edward Rutherford):  Follow the history of New York City from it's Danish beginnings through 4 centuries to the events of 9/11/01.  Be forewarned, this is a big, long book, but worth every aching muscle!
• Artemis Fowl (Eoin Colfer):  Yes, another "kid" book.  But, who doesn't like a creative, vulnerable 12 year old criminal mastermind.  Add a good dose of elves, fairies, and trolls and be transported into Artemis's saga.
• Tuck Everlasting (Natalie Babbitt):  The summer that seems to last forever.  What if you could live forever?  Would you?  Explore the themes of immortality and young love in this beloved children's classic.
• Crawfish Mountain (Ken Wells):  Set in coastal Louisiana, Crawfish Mountain, is timely for today with its themes on oil drilling, depleting wetlands, and the Cajun way of life.
• School of Essential Ingredients (Erica Bauermeister):  Become intertwined with a group of cooking school students whose own lives become interwoven as they learn the importance of essential ingredients in cooking and in their lives.

Red, White & Boo!

Too bad we couldn't do a Haunted Maze for the 4th of July - Red, White, & Boo! How cool would that be. Alas, the corn & the maze itself isn't ready for such an event. But it sure is an interesting concept. Hmmm. Maybe, some day in the future.

Back to Independence Day for a moment. History tells us that the signing of the Declaration of Independence actually began on July 2, 1776. Delegates continued signing the Declaration throughout July and into August. After all, they couldn't just hop onto a 747 and cruise at high altitude for an hour or so to get to Philly, PA. Delegates like Jefferson, Adams & even Washington rode by horse and occasionally carriage for weeks, hence the signings into August.

Of course, there will always be debate as to why we celebrate our Independence on the 4th rather than the 2nd (the first day of signing) or even in August when the last signature was penned. Really does it matter when, but that we do? These men, our nation's Founding Fathers, were courageous men. By penning their signature to the Declaration of Independence, they were essentially signing their lives away with a treasonous act. Yes. Treason. If we had lost the War of Independence, these men could have easily lost their lives to the Crown for treason. Courageous indeed. How many of us can say the same for ourselves? Do we have the ability to stand up for our beliefs, even to the point of death? It's definetely something to ponder.

So again, does it matter what day we celebrate? Not really. We celebrate with barbeques, get-to-gethers and fireworks. Some communities celebrate with parades, speeches and even re-inactments. The important thing is that we collectively, as a nation, remember our roots. We remember the courage not only of the Founding Fathers, but of the farmers and laborers that made up the Continental Army. We remember the courage of normal, everyday people fighting for a specific cause that if successful would ultimately be to their betterment. Was the fight easy. No. Was it short. No. Yet, we their descendents live our lives with freedoms that many in the world still don't have. We benefit from our fore fathers' sacrifices. This is the reason we celebrate and remember. Does what day we celebrate matter? No. Only that we do.

Tomato Heaven

Personally, there is nothing better than biting into a warm, sun-kissed, perfectly ripened tomato. I eat them like apples straight from the vine all summer long. And they come in so many varieties - beefsteak, roma, cherry, grape, slicers. And the names - MarGlobe, Bradley, Big Boy, Husky Cherry. My personal favorite is the Black Prince Russian Heirloom. It turns a lovely shade of dark maroon - like a bing cherry. Sweet with just a hint of spice, fleshy and juicy. I love to eat them in tomato sandwiches - fresh, crusty homemade wheat bread brushed with a thin layer of sweet cream butter. Add a layer of Black Prince Russian slices, a couple sweet basil leaves and a sprinkle of sea salt and fresh black pepper. A simple summer pleasure that turns into blissful Tomato Heaven.

Don't have a backyard garden? Visit a local farmers market or stop at a roadside stand. You won't be disappointed and maybe you'll find your own personal tomato heaven.

Summer Vacation!

Many thanks to all the school groups who came and visited Country Fun Farm this spring. We hope you had an informative and fun time with us and hope to see you back next year.

Schools Out For Summer! Let the hazy, lazy, days of Summer begin! Our melon & pumpkin crops are growing like crazy. We'll be busy all summer long preparing for the Fall Season where we'll introduce our newest maze design. We can hardly wait!

In the mean time, take some time to cross some items off your Summer Bucket List.

1. Sip a tall, cold glass of lemonade or sweet tea
2. Run through the sprinklers
3. Take a boat out onto the Red River or Cross Lake
4. Spend a day fishing
5. Be lazy and soak up some sun
6. Take in a summer Popcorn Blockbuster
7. Have a water fight with your kids
8. Visit a local U-Pick Place or Farmers Market
9. Go to a local festival - Mud Bug Madness anyone?
10. Sit on the Porch Swing and drift away

Buy Local - Restaurants

In the last blog, we talked a little about buying locally, specifically focusing on purchasing locally grown produce. Today, I want to expand the Buy Local to restaurants and than next week to other Retail establishments.

So, how does Buying Locally apply to restuarants? It comes down to choosing where you eat out. Big box, national brand restaurants rarely (if ever) purchase their "raw ingredients" locally. National chains purchase ingredients (meat, produce, dairy, spice, etc) in bulk and than distribute them from central locations. The ingredients themselves are usually not purchased from small family farms, but from the larger, corporation farms. And again the food is being shipped all over the country using of course deisel fuel. Occasionally, small family farms can contract out with a National Chain to provide specific items. However, this food is not sent to the local branch of the chain, but put into the mix of nationally shipped ingredients.

This was really brought home last week when we had breakfast at a National Chain restaurant. We wanted to order some fresh, seasonal fruit. One of the breakfast menu selections offered bananas and fresh fruit (in season). So, we figured we could order some fruit "on the side" for a little extra. No bananas, their shipment hadn't arrived yet that day. My question (that I kept to myself) was when else did they expect to serve bananas except at breakfast. Afterall bananas are not your typical dinner fair. Anyway, so we asked for the fresh, seasonal fruit. No fruit. What! In the middle of Louisiana strawberry season there was no fresh fruit? Again, the truck had not yet arrived.

It got me to thinking as to what would have happened if we had breakfasted at a local Mom & Pop diner. Would we have had the same experience? I don't know for certain, but I don't think so. My experience with locally owned restaurants is that they typically have local ingredients on the menu. Sure, some if not most of their ingredients will come from large wholesale purveyors. But, occassionally and sometimes more than occasionally, locally grown and raised fare will be on the menu. In fact, I often see local restaurants purchasing locally grown produce at the Farmer's Market, so I know they are offering it on the menu.

So, after this experience, I have a new goal. I'm going to try to eat more at locally owned restaurants rather than the name brand, national ones. This way, I can occasionally know I'm eating produce, meat, or dairy that is grown or raised locally. I'm than supporting those local ranchers and farmers, who in turn put money back into the local economy. In fact, the locally owned restaurant is going to put more money back into the local economy than the big, national chain. So eat Louisiana crawfish at a local restaurant or BBQ at a local corner stand or a nice strawberry pie from a local diner. Chances are the ingredients will be fresh & local. And if there not? I'm still supporting a local family rather than a corporate board several states away.

OK, now that I made myself hungry, I think I need something to eat - like from the BBQ Shack just down the way.

Earth Day Everyday

Earth Day has come and gone. What did you do to be a little more "green"? Didn't do anything. That's ok, because everyday should be Earth Day not just one day out of the year. For the next few posts, we want to talk about how you can "green" up your life one step at a time. Today, we'll be talking about buying produce locally.

Yesterday, I processed 2 flats of strawberries into jam, preserves, and frozen slices. It got me thinking about our food and buying locally. For instance, the strawberries were purchased from a member of a local 4H club. The berries themselves came from Louisiana. Even if they came from southern Louisiana and were shipped to Northwestern Louisiana, they still only traveled 4-5 hours by truck rather than days like if they came from California, Michigan or Mexico. That's alot of diesel that got saved and helped a local 4H club in the process.

This is the whole premise behind buying our food locally. We stop the pattern of purchasing food grown several states or even countries away. This saves on on diesel, decreases air pollution from said diesel trucks, and the purchase of genetically altered food. Let's face it, those strawberries I purchased may have been different shapes and sizes and had weird lumps and bumps on them, but they were fresh and ripe. The heavenly smell of strawberries permeated my kitchen. This compared to the berries purchased in the store that can stay "ripe" for over a week in my frig and never really smell like "strawberry". We need to remember that what we perceive as "ripe" in the store - often isn't. (Think rock hard peaches, pears and nectarines - they only look ripe, but they really aren't).

Of course, some may complain that buying locally means that we can't buy those berries year round. Only when they are in season. That's the point. We've gotten out of the habit of purchasing foods when they are at their seasonal best. Asparagus in the spring; oranges in the winter; and juicy tomatoes in the summer. Instead, we want them all any time of the year. In reality no one really wins with this system except for the large, industrial farms. Let's face it a mealy, tasteless tomato in the winter doesn't compare to the sun-kissed version purchased from your local farmers market in the summer.

Farmers Markets, road-side stands, U-Pick Farms, and gardens - the best place to buy or grow locally. And buying locally is a win-win for everyone. You the consumer/purchaser receive fresh produce at the height of ripeness. The local farmer, market, etc receives an economic boost which is than shot back into the local economy. That's far better than giving your hard earned dollars to a big-business, industrial farm. Very little of their profits are poured back into the local economy. But local farmers and markets live and shop in your community - so everyone benefits.

Most farmers markets only allow local venders to sell their wares. Local usually means within a 100 or 150 mile radius. So, for Northwest Louisiana some of our produce may come from southern Arkansas or East Texas. Again, this is ok, because it is far better than receiving/puchasing produce from several states or countries away. The product is guaranteed fresh and is usually picked early that morning or the night before. If my strawberries had come from California, they may have been picked 7-10 days ago. Fresh? I don't think so.

U-Pick Farms are, of course, very local. You do the driving. I have no qualms driving to Frierson or Haughton to pick blueberries and blackberries. Why? Because, again I'm supporting a local enterprise and often family run business. The berries are fresh picked - straight from the bushes and vines. And I get to spend quality time with my children as a family. In fact, this is a family event that we all look forward to each year. Similarly, we have families that come specifically to Country Fun Farm each fall to pick their pumpkins straight from the vine. We appreciate the support, just like the Blueberry Farms appreciate ours.

For Northwest Louisiana, the local farmers markets, produce stands and U-Pick Farms are starting to open and share their wealth of deliciousness. So support Earth Day Everyday buy buying locally. Even one pint of strawberries purchased locally is better than nothing. And of course it tastes like heaven on a little ice cream.

Death & Taxes

Yes, we all know the old quip about "Death & Taxes". And, yes today is April 15th, so you'd expect a tax quote or two - right? Instead, we're going to give a little run down of what you can do with your time now that all the bills have been added up, receipts collected and the IRS informed of your tax deduction.

POST TAX TIME = NEW FOUND FREE TIME

• Start a Veggie Garden
• Plant Spring & Summer Flowers
• Build a Bird House
• Go outside, take a deep breath & enjoy the spring weather without worrying about incomes, taxes, refunds or anything financial
• Swing on a swing set, porch swing, or barn swing
• Take your children to the park
• Take a walk in your neighborhood, at the park or on a nature trail
• Ride a bike
• Play a board game with your family
• Have a family movie night
• Roller blade, skateboard or ride a scooter
• Fly a Kite
• Build the Kite
• Make strawberry shortcake
• Eat a mess of crawfish!
• Open the windows & turn of the AC
• Write a letter to a loved one
• Facebook a friend
• Make plans to visit Country Fun Farm and the Corn Maze this fall.

Composing A Garden

"Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer." --Geoffrey B. Charlesworth



Gardeners all over Northwest Louisiana are currently composing their summer floral and vegetable gardens. Beds are being tilled & mulched, seeds and seedlings planted. We're doing the same here at Country Fun Farm.



What if you don't have a spot to plant a garden? Why not try patio or container gardening? Tomatoes and strawberries do well in containers and of course most florals do too. Even with a tiny plot in a corner of your yard, you can plant a "Square Foot Garden."



No time for a "green thumb" at all? Visit a local farmer's market or U-Pick Farm. Country Fun Farm will have melons available in the summer and pumpkins in the fall. Road side stands and weekly markets are throughout the area and are a great resource for fresh produce.



Have a fun and safe week.

Spring Field Trips

Does it seems like God has a sense of humor lately? Afterall, it snowed less than two weeks ago - again - here in Northwest Louisiana. Despite the temperature alternating between warm and cold the past few weeks, we are ready for Spring Field Trips to begin. We cannot wait to see all the school children as they come and explore our farm.

Beautiful Sunny Day

Here at Country Fun Farm, we are so grateful for some nice weather. It's beautiful and sunny and spring is in the air. We are busy getting our farm ready for Spring Field Trips. We love hearing the laughter of school children as they explore the Farm and learn about farming and play hard in the barnyard. Hope to see you soon and keep smiling!