HONDO, Texas – Have you ever experienced a drought that lasts for three years? This is the reality that all of South Central Texas is facing, with lakes, reservoirs, aquifers, and rivers running dry. The impact of this prolonged drought is being strongly felt across the agricultural community.
This year, the effects of the drought have taken a toll on a beloved local tradition – the fall corn maze at Graff 7A Ranch in Hondo.
“We’ve had to go through some dry ones, but never like this”
Ken and Laurie Graff have been running the corn maze since 2001, using it as a way to educate communities about the importance of agriculture in a fun and engaging manner. However, this year marks the first time they have had to cancel the maze due to the severe drought.
“We just don’t have enough water in our wells to support the underground drip irrigation, so this is a first,” Laurie explained.
Even though Medina County has faced droughts in the past, this year has been particularly challenging. Despite receiving some rain in late July, it was not sufficient to sustain the maze.
“The creek ran, and it actually filled our tank up, and it’s right next to our well. And usually, it takes months for it to go dry, but in seven days there was not a drop left. The aquifer took it all up,” Ken recounted.
FOOD, FESTIVITIES, AND FUN OFFERED THIS YEAR
While the corn maze may be gone, Graff 7A Ranch is not short on fun activities for the whole family:
- Farm Hayrides
- Various Food Options / Live Entertainment
- MatterCorn Slide Mountain
- Cowboy Ken’s Kiddie Korral
- Hay Bale Jump
- Photo Props
- Zippity-Doo Dah
- Bubble Buckets
- Double Barrel Train
- Gaga Ball Pit
- Tetherball
- Cornhole and more!
The ranch will be open from Saturday, Sept. 14, to Saturday, Nov. 23. For more information or to purchase tickets, you can visit their website here.
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