With more than 80 years of family tradition, Kalawi Farm continues to produce local seasonal food and family fun in Moore County.

"We focus continually on the family," say Jeff and Katie Tucker, members of the Williams family, who own the farm. "And we believe in keeping everyone aware of local items."

The name 'Kalawi' is used to honor the Williams' children; Katie represents the "Ka," Laura is the "la," and Will is the "wi."

"When the last child, was born, my parents named him Ben," Katie Tucker says. "Ben's ice cream stand has become a popular item at the farm."

Kalawi Farm is not only an established peach grower and a favorite ice cream maker, but now they are entering the local honey business.

But this time of the year, they are focusing on a corn maze, which is open to visitors for autumn festivities.

The idea of a corn maze is in its third year. Katie and Jeff Tucker have been working hard at creating a unique maze at the Farm.

"We cut a maze where we grow field corn," says Jeff. "We cut it in the shape of a jack o-lantern. This year we have added to the challenge with more twists and turns.

To make sure the jack-o'-lantern form appeared properly cut, they checked it out with an aerial view.

"We also plan to hand out a map to everyone who enters the maze," he says. "It takes about 30 minutes to walk through the maze. There are five checkpoints to help everyone work their way through and out the exit. One year we had a haunted maze. Each year we want to find a way to make it more interesting and challenging."

The cost for visiting the corn maze, which is in the field beside the produce stand, is $8 for ages 13 and up, $6 for ages 4 to 12, and free those 3 and under with a paying adult. The farm will also offer hayrides.

"We offer church groups and schools a discount," says Tucker. "We will set up visits by appointment during the week or weekends."

Package deals are also available for both the maze and the hayride.

"We stop and pick your own pumpkins, or you can pick your own," says Jeff. Tucker.

The small pumpkins range in price from $1 to $4.

No matter what the season, Kalawi Farm offers a multitude of produce, including vegetables, tomatoes, squash, onions and, of course, sweet potatoes.

"During the economic low, we have tried to keep our prices the same," says Tucker. "The fuel prices make it hard to keep everything level. But we are very competitive."

Along with the homemade ice cream stand, the main crop from 4,000 peach trees, along with the variety of other vegetables, has been the fundamental core of the farm over the years.

The corn maze and pumpkin festivities add another seasonal top-notch feature to this family-oriented farm.

Kalawi Farms is located at 1515 N.C. 211 in Eagle Springs.

Hours are from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, and weekdays by appointment. The maze will remain open through Nov. 4.

For further information and discounts, call Katie Tucker at (910) 690-8303.

Contact freelance writer Anita Stone at writer7136@yahoo.com.