Buffalo Bird Woman, a Hidatsa Indian born around 1839, was considered an expert gardener. She and her family raised huge crops of corn, squash, beans and sunflowers on the bottom lands of the Missouri River in North Dakota.

Washburn farmers Harold Tweeten and Al Kraft didn't follow Bird Woman's horticultural secrets, but they were successful nonetheless with their corn crop north of Bismarck. They planted early, kept the irrigation system pumping and got some hot weather to get the crop to grow quickly. It resulted in a stand that averages at least nine feet high.

Perfect, of course, for a maze.

The farmers hatched the idea in January. A corn maze is not a new concept, in fact it's been done many times over. But these two came up with a different spin. The maze design is of an Indian chief's head in a full headdress. And the maze will feature 10 stations, each telling part of the story of Bird Woman.

The maze opens at 3 p.m. Thursday.

The maze is located on a 600-acre field near the Missouri River. Tweeten said the biggest motivator for doing the maze is $2 corn, a price level that's not very profitable. Once the event ends later this fall, the field will still be harvested. The pair say very little of the field was lost to the maze.

The farmers found a picture they liked on the Internet of the Indian head and then mapped out a plan. Kraft drove an ATV through the corn, using a global positioning system to guide the way. Tweeten followed with a Bobcat and tiller to grind up the path. It took about six hours to create the paths.

Participants will punch in on a clock when they enter the maze and must sign out when they exit, which will help organizers keep track of anyone still in the maze. There are also escape routes. The maze is surrounded by a circle, designated by red tape to guide wayward participants to the beginning. The inside paths are marked by yellow tape.

Tweeten and Kraft are planning a grand opening for the Aug. 9 weekend. They hope to bring in a chuck wagon and hot air balloon for tethered rides above the maze. They may also schedule some late night events where participants will have to use a flashlight to find their way around.

How to get there

There's no need to get lost before you even get to the maze. It's located off Highway 1804 on 149th Avenue. Signs will be posted at the corner. Go west on 149th - it's a gravel road - until you reach the maze, which will be clearly marked.

The cost is $5 a person. The maze opens Thursday at 3 p.m. and will be open seven days a week from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Halloween, unless mother nature drops a pile of snow to end the venture early.

Pop and water will be available for purchase. Bring along bug spray.

Time will vary, but plan on a couple of hours to complete the maze.

(Reach reporter Mark Hanson at 250-8264 or mark@ndonline.com.)