Rader Family Farms is adding a corn maze dedicated to Country Financial's 100th anniversary, and designed to pay homage to the company’s agricultural roots.
Country Financial was started in 1925 by a group of farmers from the Illinois Agricultural Association to provide lightning and fire insurance. Over the last century, the company has expanded to 19 states and serves about 1 million clients.
Rader Family Farms also has a history in agriculture dating back to the mid-1930s, with owner Lynn Rader having been raised by farmers Glenn and Margaret Rader. At the time, it was known as the Plainview Guernsey Dairy Farm. The farm transitioned into a grain farm after Glenn Rader died in 1971 and eventually into the 80-acre "agritainment" site it is today.
Leaders of Rader Family Farms and Country Financial gathered Tuesday morning for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the maze.
Adam Rader, manager of Rader Family Farms and son of owners Lynn and Linda Rader, said the maze was first designed on a computer and then farmed to fit that design.
“We have two phases [of the maze],” Rader said. “We have an easy phase that is more for younger kids and people who don’t want to be in the maze for over a half hour, and then phase two, which is a lot more challenging. It has a couple bridges so you can get up and get an aerial view. It is planned to take about 45 minutes to an hour-and-a-half.”
Rader said there also will be three nighttime mazes available this season.
Rader said the struggles faced by his relatives a century ago helped inspire his family to partner with Country Financial.
“I think about the trials and the struggles that they would have endured and what having someone who backs you and supports you in that endeavor [is like]. We’re glad to have people who want to support us—not only emotionally—but also from a financial standpoint,” he said.
Attendees at the ceremony were able to get a short preview of the maze with owners Lynn and Linda Rader, Adam Rader and Chief Executive Officer of Country Financial Jim Jacobs.
“Such a perfect spot for us to continue our 100th anniversary celebration,” Jacobs said. “Farmers are one of our three core clients and we’re very proud of that. Our farm clients are our best clients.”
“It’s an educational opportunity, not only for agriculture, but for folks here in this community to get a little bit of a better connection to our company,” Jacobs continued.
Rader Family Farms will re-open to the public on Saturday, Sept.13. Families can enjoy the Country Financial-inspired corn maze as well as an apple orchard, retail market, baked goods, drinks from the Harvest Brew Coffee Shop and food venues.
The farm is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m Wednesday through Sunday, and also on Columbus Day. The farm will be open until Nov. 1.
