2024 Macon - Columbus area of Georgia Corn U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Corn U-Pick Orchards in Macon - Columbus area of Georgia in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for corn that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have corn orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

Crisp County

• Korn Patch Kids - Corn, peas, beans, squash, okra.
  2989 Pateville Road, Cordele, GA . Phone: 229-273-1898. Click here for a map and directions.

Harris County

• Cook Family Farm - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, beans, broad beans, broccoli, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, melons, onions, peas, peppers, summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, watermelons, Fresh eggs, concessions or refreshment stand
  2621 Hudson Mill Road, Hamilton, GA 31811. Phone: (706) 457-4684. Email: cookfamilyfarmga@gmail.com. Open: In 2021, U-Pick is by reservation only, and pre-picked berries will be available in the online farm store, Monday, from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm; Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm, April 14 to October 31. Directions: From I-185, exit 19, take GA 315 east to just beyond #9 mile marker. Turn left on Hudson Mill Rd, go 2.5 miles, farm on right. From US 27 heading north from Columbus, turn left on GA 315 west. Turn right on Hudson Mill Road \(first paved road on right past mile marker #10\), go 2.5 miles, farm on right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Cook Family Farm Facebook page. . . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. From I-185, exit 19, take GA 315 east to just beyond #9 mile marker. Turn left on Hudson Mill Rd, go 2.5 miles, farm on right. From US 27 heading north from Columbus, turn left on GA 315 west. Turn right on Hudson Mill Road (first paved road on right past mile marker #10), go 2.5 miles, farm on right. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. (ADDED: March 19, 2018)

Macon County

• Lambert - corn, okra, peppers, squash, tomatoes
  Garden Valley Road, Ideal, GA . Phone: 678-850-0094. Click here for a map and directions. .

Monroe County

• Hamlin Hills Farm - Uses natural growing practices, strawberries, corn maze, pumpkins, concessions or refreshment stand, inflatables or bounce houses, farm animals, school tours, group reservations, events at your location (call for info)
  4477 Dames Ferry Road, Forsyth, GA 31029. Phone: (844) 386-3276. Email: familyfun@theamazingcornmaze.com. Open: in December; Check website or facebook for opening dates. Directions: 477 Dames Ferry Road Forsyth, GA 31029 I-75, EXIT 185 Right off the interstate. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Hamlin Hills Farm Facebook page. . . We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. Click here for our Facebook page. In the spring Hamlin Hills offers fresh strawberry picking for the kids while offering a craft wine selection for the parents. During the summer, the farm offers fireworks along with fresh local produce and has a display every year for the Fourth of July. As fall approaches and the weather starts to cool down,has a corn maze and evening frights for the whole family. Once you are done with the maze, the farm has a pick your own pumpkin patch. During the winter months and Christmas season, Hamlin Hills has a festive display for the season along with live Christmas trees to pick from in all shapes and sizes. Fall Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze, Antiques, farm zoo, BBQ, peaches, boiled peanuts, produce, jams, wines and more!is your one stop for agritourism! Family Fun Farm located in Forsyth, GA off of I-75 exit 185.

Peach County

• Lane Southern Orchards - strawberries, corn maze, pumpkins, blueberries and blackberries
  50 Lane Road, Fort Valley, GA 31030. Phone: 478-825-3362. Email: wendybarton@southernorchards.com. Open: daily from 9 am to 5 pm; Memorial Day through September, daily from 9 am to 7 pm; the six-acre, you-pick, we-pick strawberry patch is open the second week of April through May. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate phone: 800-27PEACH. . click here for a map. Southern hospitality will greet you at , where Georgia's most famous product is being harvested and processed only 5 short minutes from I-75. From I-75, take Exit 142 Georgia Hwy 96 and go west. Lane Packing Company is only 5 minutes away. Formerly called Lane Packing Company. Facebook page. There also already picked (not U-pick) crops, like peaches, and pecans. We grow over 10,000 acres of peaches and pecans! Our Roadside Market has fresh produce, gourmet items, craft beers and wine! While you are here, enjoy lunch at our Peachtree Cafe. is dedicated to planting, growing and harvesting the best-tasting peaches and pecans in Georgia. Around here, that's something to be proud of. To keep things friendly, we give each crop the same amount of special attention. The farm has grown over the years to include 5,000 acres of peaches, 5,000 acres of pecans and 5 acres of strawberries.

Upson County

• The Rock Ranch - blackberries, blueberries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, herbs or spices, muscadine grapes, other berries, raspberries (red), summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, inflatables or bounce houses, jumping pillow, ziplines, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, group reservations, events at your location (call for info)
  5020 Barnesville Highway, The Rock, GA 30285. Phone: 706-647-6374. Email: info@therockranch.com. Open: UPDATE for 2021, Their website says they are closed until next year 2022. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  The Rock Ranch Facebook page. . UPDATE for 2021, Their website says they are closed until next year (2022). After much thought and consideration,our team has made the very difficult decision to suspend operation for the time being. We will miss seeing each of you, but our highest priority is the safety of our guests and our team. If you have a specific question, please email Check the Website for availability. (ADDED: February 24, 2015) A visitor writes on October 29, 2013: "This farm offers all sorts of special events for families. They have a locomotive train, pony rides, paddle boats, pedal carts, a giant jumping pillow, Tiny Town (a children's playhouse village), zip lines, a corn maze, a pumpkin cannon and more. You can camp in a covered wagon. Their produce stand and U-pick area is great with awesome strawberry ice cream and a free playground and tree fort area. This place is awesome for company picnics, family outings, school field trips, senior bus tours, camping outings and more. "

 

 

Choosing and Picking Corn

Corn reaches it's peak sweetness and flavor when the kernels are full, and just touching each other, like a good set of teeth!  They should not be bloated and smushed so tightly that there is no space left at all. The bloated overripe ears will have a bland, starchy taste.

Here's what to look for:

• The tips of the silks coming out of the ear should be a light brown.
•  If you break a kernel with your fingernail, the liquid should be slightly milky in color.
•  The ears should be filled out and have developed good girth but not bloated.

Harvesting

 To harvest, snap off the ears by hand with a quick, firm, downward push; then twist and pull.
 Avoid twisting or yanking the ears, as this can damage the stalk or the ear itself.

Storing the corn

Corn is at its prime eating quality on the stalk for only 72 hours before becoming over mature. The most important factor is cooling it as soon as possible after harvesting it.  Get it into the fridge or cover it with ice! Many farmers say you should remove the shucks right away, too.  I've found that removing most of the shuck, but leaving a few leaves to cover each ear is best to prevent the kernels from drying out.  See this page for more about storing corn before using it.

Cooking:

The worst mistake people make is overcooking corn.  In fact, corn isn't really cooked; it's just heated up. If you cook it form more than a few minutes (3 minutes), then you are simply breaking down the sugars and turning a nice, crisp sweet ear into bland mush. It's not a pot roast; the purpose of heating it is NOT to break down the cells, just to heat them to bring out the flavor and melt the butter!

Here's how to cook the corn:

1. Fill a large pot (large enough so the shucked ears can fit inside, laying down) about 2/3 full of water and start bring it to a boil
2. Shuck the ears, and snap off the stalk end and the very tip of ear (especially if you will use "corn stickers" , (handles) to hold the ears.
3. When everyone is sitting down at the table and you are serving the rest of the meal, put the corn in the boiling water and set the time for 3 minutes.
4. After 3 minutes, using tongs, retrieve the ears and serve them with butter (Corn boats are wonderful for corn!

 

Freezing Corn

You can easily freeze the sweet corn and have that great taste in the dead of winter! 

• Freezing whole ears of corn on the cob
• Freezing corn, cut off the cob

Canning Corn

This too, is easy... but it DOES require a Pressure Canner.  You cannot safely do this with a water bath canner.  Food poisoning is no joke!

• Here is how to can corn!
•  how to make canned creamed corn.
• Southern Chow-Chow (also called Piccalilli)
• Pickled corn relish

Other corn recipes

• How to make sweet corn ice cream
• Corn bread, or sweet corn muffins (like Chi Chi's)

• Corn fritters (a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers