Meet Randy & Jayne Rausch | Co-owners of The MAiZE at Little Darby Creek

We had the good fortune of connecting with Randy & Jayne Rausch and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Randy & Jayne, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Randy grew up on a dairy farm and has always been a farmer. We purchased the farm and dairy herd from his parents in 1990. Over time we found that we wanted to try other avenues with the farm to bring in additional revenue. In 2002, we started the corn maze / fall agritourism event. After we had been open a few years, we found it difficult with our limited labor force to be able to do both. It was difficult to find a full time herdsman and we knew that our kids were not interested in taking over the dairy when they got older. The corn maze was starting to take off and showed good possibilities for growth, so in February of 2005, we sold the dairy herd. We also added a 5 acre you pick raspberry patch that year after we sold the cows.

What should our readers know about your business?

We are a corn maze / fall agritourism destination about 30 miles west of Columbus. Our corn mazes are known for having interesting and intricate designs and activities to do while going through them. We like having a place where people, many who have never been on a farm before, can come experience being on a farm and have fun while learning where their food comes from.  Here are the many activities we have:

• 8 acre corn maze
• Low Ropes Course
• Cow Train
• Barnyard Bouncer
• Petting Zoo
• Kiddie Maze
• Ball Zone
• Corn Ball
• Tube Slide
• PVC Roller Slide
• Laser Tag
• Dodgeball
• Pedal Carts
• Kids Fun Barn
• Spider Web
• Duck Races
• Tetherball
• Tug-O-War
• Yard Games
• Wall Ball
• GaGa Ball
• Bubble Barn
• Corn Cannon
• Giant Chair and additional photo ops
• Flower Patch
• Paintball Pandemonium
• Pumpkin Blasters
• Pumpkin Checkers
• Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe
• Spinning Chairs

We started The MAiZE at Little Darby Creek in 2002. Every year we add new attractions on the farm. It is hard work with long hours but is so rewarding when you see families come out and have fun on your farm. We have also now branched out to do weddings during the summer.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We have a concession stand, kettle corn stand & bar at The MAiZE, so you can grab a bite to eat or have a beer or wine slushie while taking a break from the corn maze or other activities.  You can also shop in our Country Store where gift items, bakery items, fudge, candy, kettle corn & flavored popcorn are available.  If you are coming from Columbus, you go through Plain City on your way to The MAiZE.  Der Dutchman and The Grainery are nice restaurant options there.   

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We are a part of a maze company, The MAiZE. They help people who want to start corn mazes with advice on how to start it and can give guidance on operating the business.

Website: www.mazeandberries.com

Instagram: themaizeohio

Twitter: @TheMAiZEOhio

Facebook: TheMaizeAtLittleDarbyCreek