A local farm has closed, abruptly ending its season following several negative encounters.
This past weekend, Liberty Mills Farm in Somerset hosted its pumpkin palooza including the popular flashlight maze on Saturday, a special nighttime trip through the corn maze. The maze features four trails and is one of the largest in the country at 34 acres. The popular fall attraction was recently recognized as the best by The Pioneer Woman Magazine and was voted third best by USA Today and Popular Outdoorsman. Each year, the maze features a different design with this year’s being a take on Vincent Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” The maze opened for the season Sept. 13.
It was an experience that occurred this weekend that has owners Kent and Evie Woods questioning their future as agritourism event operators. The two began Liberty Mills Farm in 2010 and have operated numerous events throughout the years including pick your own strawberry fields, a Blooms and Butterflies event, a Sunflower Festival, Home for the Holidays with Santa and of course, the corn maze and pumpkin patch. The Woods said in an online statement that it was up until the past weekend that they enjoyed what they were doing.
“We do what we do not for the money, but for the enjoyment of others and to create memories that will last a lifetime,” the Woods wrote. “We have seen many of you grow up from children to adults, graduate high school and college and even witnessed an annual progression from dating to married to children. Each positive memory brings a smile to our face as we think of your kindness.”
From time to time, the Woods said they’ve received negative reviews and can typically point to what may have caused that reaction, usually someone not following the rules that are meant to keep visitors to the farm safe or not reading information thoroughly like operating hours.
“While we have had thousands of amazing visitors over the years – of all ethnicities – and have created many lasting friendships with some of you, the encounters with the few who insist on profanity-laden language as well as the intoxicated college students who find it fun to crash through the corn and damage our crop we will harvest, have worn us down,” they wrote.
The Woods said this past weekend, they were accused of being incompetent owners, having poor customer service, being unwelcoming and not being able to solve simple problems or adequately train staff. They said there were threats of physical violence against themselves and staff, along with being sworn at and accused of being racist.
Several groups were removed from the maze Saturday with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office is present for every flashlight maze at the farm. Negative reviews left on Google seem to point to the incidents Saturday with claims that the farm lacks visible signage as to where to check in upon arrival, a large group was asked to divide into smaller groups and was ultimately removed for allegedly consuming alcohol and the farm is not a place for African-Americans. A response to the review said four or five groups were asked to leave the maze Saturday and one particular group was asked to leave after making a profanity-laced threat at a minor employee.
As a result of Saturday’s incidents, on Tuesday, the Woods said they would be closing the farm, maze and pumpkin patch effectively immediately. The farm market will be open Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a final sale. Anyone who has purchased tickets for the remaining weekends will be refunded. The maze and pumpkin patch were scheduled to remain open through Nov. 11.
“The anger directed towards our family and staff, the loss of sleep and continuous stress are not worth continuing operations,” the Woods said via their statement. “We will no longer accept the venom that is directed at us personally.
“The bottom line is we are no longer having fun at what we’re doing,” they added.
It’s unknown if Liberty Mills Farm will reopen next year. The Woods plan to evaluate the venue’s future over the winter.
Since the closure announcement was made, hundreds of folks have taken to social media to comment their appreciation for the farm and past enjoyment they’ve had there. Several positive reviews have also been left on Google.
