Fall is a-MAZE-ing in Johnston

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The weather may still feel like summer, but fall is in full swing at Johnston’s own Salisbury Farm, and fall aficionados may get lost in all of the amazing things happening in the farm’s corn field.

For five generations since the 1840s, Salisbury Farm, located at 11 Peck Hill Road, has been owned and operated by the Salisbury family. When originally founded, the farm supplied hay for a nearby stagecoach line before it became a full time dairy farm.

In the 1970s, Wayne Salisbury took over the farm from his father, Roger. By the early 1980s, a successful project planting 500 strawberry plants began. As with many seasons, this year’s weather had its ups and downs for their harvest.

“Summer was pretty good, spring wasn’t good. Strawberries are one of our main crops and they didn’t do very well, but everything else did okay,” said Wayne. “Tomatoes did great, we have too many. We didn’t get them when we really needed them in August, but now they are coming out like gangbusters.”

Since taking over, Wayne, his wife Lois and their family have brought the farm’s 55-acre operation to the next level and began to offer hayrides, pumpkins, sweet corn, raspberries, mums and more to celebrate fall. Always concerned about the environment, the Salisburys only use organic sprays and techniques on their crops.

The family’s farm store offers all fresh produce grown at the farm or from nearby local farms. They sell jellies, preserves, honey that’s harvested on site, fall decorations, hand-painted gourd birdhouses, handcrafted toys and even firewood. Raspberries, which ripened in August, are also still available during the season.

“Those people that buy local, I think it’s had a great effect, because people are weary about some of the stuff that’s being shipped in,” said Wayne. “So it helps. Unfortunately, the cost here is probably a little higher than what you may see in the grocery stores, but we have a great fresh product.”

During the fall, customers may pick their own pumpkins from Salisbury’s pumpkin patches. On weekends and holidays there are free hayrides to the pumpkin patch. Farm tours are also available for children of all ages.

But perhaps the biggest attraction available this fall is the farm’s corn maze, where adventurous parties can “get lost for the cause.”

Since 1998, sons Stephen and Keith Salisbury have constructed the maze, complete with observation platforms, that is painstakingly created and designed throughout the growing season. Last year they had around 4,000 people make their way through the maze, and the Salisbury’s hope to improve upon those numbers this year.

Not only is the trek through the maze fun, but proceeds collected will benefit the Lifespan Cancer Institute.

“It was an idea we had to do something for people in need,” said Wayne, who in the past has contributed to other worthwhile organizations, such as Boston Strong.

Funds raised will go towards assisting patients who are having trouble affording their medications, dietary supplements and other medical necessities.

“We’ve been into it for a while but people really enjoy it. Our focus is always harvest not horror, and we make this friendly for all families,” said Lois.

For those wary of walking through a corn maze, Wayne offered assurances that there are a half dozen emergency exits, and staff will be on hand to provide assistance.

“Once in a great while, we have to go out and rescue someone,” he joked.

On the way to the maze, visitors may encounter one cow, two llamas and two goats, along with Sunny the farm dog, all of which are allowed to be pet.

Maze hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on weekends. There is a moonlight maze on October 14, 21 and 28 from 7 until 9 p.m. Weekday costs are $9 for adults and $7.50 for children, with weekends being $11 for adults and $9 for children. The Moonlight Maze for Adults is $12, $9 for children. All kids 2 and under may enter for free. The maze will be open until October 31.

“Johnston has been great to us, they really have. Some other communities make it almost impossible to stick around because of the tax structure,” said Wayne. “Johnston has been very good to us and helpful to make this possible.”

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