Page 76 - BusinessWest September 18, 2023

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Maze
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focused on AI eventually made it the logical choice for this year’s theme.
With the theme finalized, the next step is the design — in this case, the words, the font, and more — which was created by Jess Marsh Wisseman.
An Adobe file is then sent to Rob Stouffer, owner of Precision Mazes, a Missouri-based outfit that spe- cializes in creating corn mazes. It has been handling the cutting at Warner Farm for several years now, and has a large image of the ‘Greetings from Earth’ design prominent on its website under ‘featured projects.’
Blending accurate GPS technology with advanced cornfield-cutting techniques, the company will trans- form a field into a message in just a few days, Wisse- man said, adding that the work on this year’s maze was completed several weeks ago.
Walking through the maze, one will encounter some vast, wide-open spaces, especially where the word ‘Thinking’ has been etched, but the maze is a far more valuable revenue stream than the corn that was
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growing there, he said, adding that this acreage is set aside for feed corn, which is sold to other farms and also a few restaurants for the making of corn tortillas.
While not quite a year-round undertaking, the maze has become a huge part of this 300-year-old operation, Wisseman noted, adding that months are spent not only on the concept and design, but also the creation of learning opportunities within the maze — for children, but also people of all ages.
“We put a lot of thought into this,” he told Busi- nessWest. “You want to dive into a topic, you want to make it fun and interesting, but we also like to chal- lenge our visitors and prompt them to think about it a little bit.”
Getting back to this year’s maze and the broad and now-controversial topic of AI, he said the farm isn’t making any kind of statement or forcing any opinions on visitors. Instead, it is inspiring them to think and create their own opinions.
“We’re saying, ‘hey, this is an issue that requires a
“We do have a budding, or increasing, population of residents down at the mills; they have their condos and the riverwalk, but what kind of other amenities can we provide for them?”
print of the mills, to East Street.
Conceptual plans are being prepared for the East
Street area, he said, noting that one calls for a “mod- ern, loud-colored concept,” one has a “more urban feel,” while another has more green infrastructure, with planters and a “more earthy feel.”
The various options will be presented to the Board of Selectmen, who will make the final decision, he said.
Overall, Ludlow is largely built out, with the notable exception of the mill complex, Strange said, adding that, moving forward, considerable energy is
meet identified needs within the business community for specific skills, Hayden said, noting that these twin ambitions are the motivation behind such programs as a 12-hour educational cannabis core program that provides an overview of the cannabis industry in Mas- sachusetts and is designed for individuals looking for general knowledge as they consider a career in that sector, and the non-credit “Introduction to Bookkeep- ing” course, the need for which has become increas- ingly apparent given recent trends.
“There is growing need for bookkeepers in the region, especially at smaller companies; many non- profits, for example, are looking for people who can help on that end,” he said, adding that the program is geared toward individuals looking to enter that field, but also incumbent workers looking to acquire more skills in that realm.
There are many such programs being offered the
little bit of thought,’” he said. “It’s easy to be like, ‘the robots are coming for us,’ but we want people to think about what computers can actually do for us; what
is their greatest hope for the invention of AI and this technology? And what is their greatest fear?”
These sentiments explain what the maze has evolved into over the years. It is certainly art — the designs as seen from above are exquisite and capti- vating — but is so much more than that. It is now a destination and a tradition, as well as a huge part of a business that has survived for multiple generations through perseverance and entrepreneurship.
“It’s a big part of what we do,” Wisseman said in conclusion. “And it’s also just a lot of fun — it works a different part of the brain than the farming.”
The creative side. BW
focused on improving what would be considered the downtown area — that section just over the Route 21 bridge connecting Ludlow with Indian Orchard — so it may better serve the growing number of residents in that area, and also perhaps serve as a destination.
“We’re focused on maximizing our downtown area, through development, through infrastructure improve- ments, through aesthetic improvements — however we can do it,” he said. “We do have a budding, or increasing, population of residents down at the mills; they have their condos and the riverwalk, but what kind of other amenities can we provide for them? That’s our focus and our goal right now.”
Bottom Line
As Daley noted, the clock in the famed tower hasn’t worked in a very long time.
Getting those hands to move again is one of many intriguing developments in this community, one, in many respects, whose time has come. BW
school, he said, noting that HCC offers a number of online certificate programs, most of them focused on business management and administration, such as an offering in nonprofit management featuring a simula- tion component, another in business communication, and others in innovation and critical thinking, data analytics, and project management.
Work in Progress
Summing it all up, Hayden said professional devel- opment at HCC is a huge part of the school’s mission and its evolving role when it comes to both workforce development and economic development.
The portfolio of programs and initiatives is, like the business community and the workforce itself, ever- changing. But the goal remains the same: it’s about helping area employees, job seekers, business lead- ers, and companies get where they want to go. BW
Ludlow
“I started thinking about opportunities to become a town manager or town administrator,” he went on, adding that he was a finalist for the same position in East Longmeadow when he was chosen as a finalist in Ludlow, and ultimately chose the latter.
“Ludow is a great fit for my personality and a great opportunity for growth, both for me and the town,”
he went on, acknowledging that these are certainly intriguing times for the community, especially when
it comes to a potential, and likely, change in the char- ter, something he believes is necessary, as well as the Ludlow Mills project and the many developments there.
“A change in government is much needed,” he said. “We’re no longer a town; we’re a 21,000-person city.” And a growing one, he noted, adding that the mill
project will continue to bring more new businesses and residents to the city, and vibrancy to that section in particular.
With that in mind, the town is blueprinting exten- sive infrastructure improvements to the East Street corridor, from the mills to Ludlow Country Club, Strange noted, and expanding its District Improve- ment Financing area, which is currently just the foot-
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HCC
tion, and employee satisfaction,” Hayden said, noting that there will be two workshops, with participants having the option of signing up for one or both. They are designed for entrepreneurs, HR personnel, and managers at small companies that don’t have their own HR departments,
The first will focus on the changing dynamics of the future of work, understanding the value of assess- ments within a talent strategy, and gaining exposure to different assessment tools. The second will focus on best practices for assessment implementation, leveraging assessments for talent acquisition and development, driving engagement and retention through assessments, and creating a customized roadmap for leveraging assessments.
Overall, the professional-development programs at HCC are blueprinted to assist individuals as they look to enter or advance within the workforce, but also
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