LA PLATA, MO. -- With autumn right around the corner, many people are thinking about picking their pumpkins and enjoying the last of the nice weather. But for one area fall attraction, that won’t be happening this year.

The cornfield at the Jackson Country Connection just outside La Plata is usually filled with corn eight to 10 feet tall with people trying to find their way out of it. But this year, the corn is only a few feet tall, at best, and extremely patchy. This is all because of our ongoing drought.

“We plant our corn a little later then normal cash crops so it will remain green during the maze phase of the operation. But this year, as you know, the rains did not come in May, or June, or July, so we have a very stunted growth out here and it’s just not tall enough to be a corn maze,” Jackson Country Connection's Bob Jackson said.

The corn maze isn’t the only thing being impacted on the Jackson Country Connection farm. Usually they have a thriving pumpkin patch surrounded by beautiful flowers. This year there the ground bares only grass, which was brown until recent rains.

The Jacksons started the maze in 2008 after suggestions from the community to build a pumpkin patch and corn maze. Because they both worked closely with area universities and schools, they were the perfect fit. And they both say, it’s more then just having fun.

“To be able to come to the farm, have a good time, to enjoy the outdoors, but also sneak in some of the education situations regarding agriculture,” Jackson Country Connection's Andy Jackson said.

The farm has information stations scattered throughout that explain different things on the farm, ranging from how animals behave and what corn can be made into to how important agriculture is as a whole.

And despite this year's devastating impact on the farm, the Jacksons plan on being back in operation next year.

“We will just look forward to the future and make plans for next year, but of course, next year you don’t know. It could be a similar fiasco,” said Bob Jackson.

While they don’t have the public visiting and learning about farming, Jackson Country Connection still gets the word out about agriculture in private presentations done on their property. And for that they are grateful.

“It’s just our privilege to be in the center of this great community between La Plata and Kirksville and be able to have those individuals from generally a six- to eight-county area come and be a part of us,” said Andy Jackson.

One of the new attractions built this year was a 40-foot slide. This slide was built from materials around the farm, and while they their grandkids love it, the public will now have to wait until next year to give it a shot.