GUELPH/ERAMOSA – What started as a “hobby farm” could possibly put the Ariss community on the map – literally.
The Gardner family has operated a sunflower farm on its property for the past three years. Since moving to Ariss in 2019, the family made the most out of the land and grew a business just outside its home.
“We wanted to grow as much food as we could for ourselves … it just kind of morphed into this,” owner Anika Gardner told the Advertiser.
The main attraction at Gardner’s Gardens and Goats may be a two-acre sunflower field and farm animals, but if you look at the bigger picture you’ll find a surprise.
Anika’s husband Andrew originally came up with the idea to turn their immense corn field into a “tribute” for the community.
Andrew and Anika Gardner smile with their son Henry in front of their Ariss corn maze. Not pictured are their other two sons, Theo and Levi. Photo by Georgia York
“I realized I could maybe put a design into it; I’ve never done that before,” he noted.
Andrew knew the field was going to be planted with field corn this year, so he called his friend for design tips and got to cutting.
The corn maze has “ARISS” carved into it.
“I got the field planted into a grid and then mapped out with some flags where I thought it would look good, [then] took my tractor in there and carved it out,” Andrew said.
Anika explained she hopes the design makes its way to Google Map satellites, so Ariss can “be on the map.”
“With a bit of luck … the pictures will be updated and Ariss will be etched in infamy,” she added.
Even as their sunflower season comes to an end, the Gardners – a family of five plus their dog, Winnie – continue to share their love for the community.
“We’ve enjoyed meeting the neighbours, we’ve enjoyed this community immensely and it’s kind of a nice little way to pay tribute to Arris,” said Anika.
“It’s small but there’s great people here.”
