The popularity of corn mazes in America is growing faster than corn in summer. During the last 10 years, it's estimated the number has grown from about 50 to more than 800 nationwide, according to Corn Mazes America, a company that designs them.

A recent corn maze at Crumland Farm is formed in the shape of “Cowzillia” when viewed from above.

Locally, several farms are riding the corn maze wave as a way to increase farm income, introduce urban dwellers to farm life and educate people about the real source of the foods they eat -- the family farm.

Mehrl Mayne grew up on Mayne's Tree Farm in Buckeystown. He was just 2 years old when his parents bought it in 1956. Strawberries, asparagus, sweet corn and pumpkins are among the crops he grows for consumers, along with about 50 acres of evergreens destined to become Christmas trees. About a dozen years ago, Mayne opened his first corn maze.

"I never thought pumpkins and corn mazes would bring in a dime's worth of money," Mayne said. But it has, and it brings customers back to the farm for Christmas trees. Corn mazes in the area are generally open in October. Most of the farms host fall festivals and other activities, such as pumpkin picking and hayrides, too.

Jake Roop, 17, designs the maze on his family's farm, Brookfield Pumpkins, near Thurmont.

"This fall is our fourth year (for the corn maze). We added it just to give another dimension to the pumpkin patch," said Jake, who graduated from Catoctin High school in June. He said his parents, Sam and Mary Jane Roop, started the pumpkin patch as a "project to help get us kids through college. It's blossomed, and we haven't stopped."

It's called "Corn Maze for the Cure." This year, half the proceeds from the corn maze admission will be donated to Team Hope, a group of 22 local women participating in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day, 60-mile walk in October. The goal is to raise $75,000. "My mom is a four-year cancer survivor," Jake said.

Each year, about 800 people visit the maze, which has grown from three to six acres. The design is geared to families. "It's not too big or too difficult. We want it to
be easy for kids and families to go through. It takes a certain person to design a corn maze," said Jake, who will major in math at Wheaton College in Illinois this fall.