Welcome 2016

2015 was a great year for us. Had many visitors to our farm all through out the year. Beginning with our annual Easter Egg Hunt, which will be Saturday, March 26, (10am-2pm). Been to many town festivals, fairs and area assisted living homes. They include: Anderson's Florist Open House, Clearwater, Sauk Centre Catholic School, Mother of Mercy, Albany, Sartell Country Manor, Avon, Willmar, Osakis, Evansville, Brooten, New London-Spicer, Battle Lake, Elbow Lake, Rose City Threshing and Heritage Festival, Knute Nelson Picnic, Douglas County Fair, Oak Park Campground, Paynesville, Morris Catholic Church, Alexandria Runestone Museum and Cupkie Christmas Tree Farm. Enjoyed great weather and many visitors during our Fall Family Fun Weekends with our pick your own pumpkin patch and corn maze. Now is the time to be planning and scheduling for 2016.

Pick Your Own Pumpkin Patch

Many families enjoy searching thru our large pumpkin patch to find that just right pumpkin. Great chances to take many pictures with the children. We have really been fortunate with a great fall weather and this weekend should be the same. Even this late in the season, still have a great supply of pumpkins. The field is full as well as the wagons in the yard with pumpkins already picked. Open Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday, noon-5pm. Admission: $8.50; 2-5 years old, $6.50; one and under, free.

Field Trip Pumpkin Patch

There is still time to bring out school kids, day care groups, or any others out to our petting zoo, pumpkin patch and corn maze for this fall. Have several schools coming this week, but have a good supply of pumpkins this year - each student gets a free pumpkin from this special patch. School trip pricing is $6.00 per student, plus $6.00 for parents and other siblings. Teachers and helpers are free. Price, also includes pony rides, if wanted. Just contact us. email dave@ericksonspettingzoo.com

Animals, Pick your own pumpkins, Corn Maze

We have it all, here at Erickson's Petting Zoo, of rural Osakis, lot of different animals to see, pet and even feed. Very large pick your own pumpkin patch with all sizes of pumpkins from little ones to real big ones. Tractor and wagon hayride out to feed animals in the pasture. Then the hayride continues to the seven acre corn maze. There is 8 different punch stations in the maze to find. Also, have a corn tower, when found, climb to the top and can see all around the field. When you return to the farm yard, grab one of our wagons and our pumpkin patch is just behind our buildings. Also, have a Giant pumpkin  patch to look at, plus different gourd trellises. Large playgrounds for the kids to enjoy. Entire farm yard is decorated with bales, corn shocks and all sizes of pumpkins for many photo opportunities- think Christmas card.

Pumpkins, Squash & Gourds

As soon we get a couple drying days, will be busy planting. Will have even more varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds this year. We really had a nice crop of big pumpkins last year and quite a few varieties for the fall decorations. With last years poor planting season, was really limited to the amount of land that was suitable to plant. Will have a good supply of corn shocks, bales, decorative gourds and Indian corn. Getting excited for the 2015 season.

Corn Maze 2015

Have several different ideas for our corn maze for this year. With celebrating our farm turning 100 years in the family this year, will have a Century Farm theme. Haven't decided which one  we will use, (maybe have to use the other one next year)! In 1915, my grandparents, Dan and Eva Weber (with their four young children, ages 1-9 years old) moved their belongs by railroad from Fairmont, MN to Osakis. Can you imagine what an undertaking that was!

Corn Maze 2015

Corn maze doesn't open until September 26, 2015- but a lot of work happens between now and opening! Ground is being prepared to plant in. After the past two wet years, have moved the corn maze to a new field. Higher ground without any really low areas. Also, the field is farther from the farmyard, so every one will get a longer hayride. With that in mind, will have two tractors and wagons giving rides. Also, with our farm celebrating being a Century Farm this year, planning on a fun maze with that being our theme.