The Rock Ranch Selected to Embark on Space Farm 7 Mission

THE ROCK, GA, July 07, 2011 (Press-News.org) The Rock Ranch, a 1250-acre ranch owned by Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy, is an honored member of a nationwide program entitled 'Space Farm 7'. This project is a collaborative outreach project with NASA designed to celebrate and honor the U.S. space program through agri-tourism at seven farms across the United States. The goal of the project is to educate a million children. The participating farms will plant and theme corn mazes with designs celebrating NASA's achievements and progress in space exploration. The Rock Ranch plans to theme it's corn maze with the image of an astronaut and fill the attraction with hands on and educational opportunities to expose guests to space exploration. The Rock Ranch maze will celebrate the 50th anniversary of human space exploration and the attraction will open on September 24, 2011 and be available to the public throughout the season of Fall Family Fun Days held on Saturdays September 24 through November 13.

"In 1969 I sat with my family glued to a television watching Neil Armstrong walk on the moon for the first time," said Jeff Manley, General Manager of The Rock Ranch. "So, now that we have the opportunity to commemorate with NASA their decades of successes, it is truly an honor."
Special activities and games have been planned including traveling space displays provided by NASA's Kennedy Space Center as well as an astronaut that will be present for the September kickoff - all of which will reinforce the educational missions of both The Rock Ranch and NASA. Manley adds, "it is our goal through this collaborative project with NASA to instill in young people today the inspiration and desire to explore, that the heroes of NASA have provided our nation over the past fifty years."

Additionally, there will be a nationwide online contest where families and friends can vote on their favorite of the seven NASA-themed corn maze designs. A winner will be chosen from the pool of voters and awarded amazing space prizes. Details on all contests and activities will be released at a later date.

NASA has ten field centers located in the United States, each of which has a different responsibility. The seven individual Space Farms have been paired up with the field center that services their region in order to highlight that center's contribution to NASA. The participating farms include Belvedere Plantation in Fredericksburg, Virginia; Liberty Ridge Farm in Schaghticoke, New York; The Rock Ranch in The Rock, Georgia; Vala's Pumpkin Patch in Gretna, Nebraska; Dewberry Farm in Brookshire, Texas; Cornbelly's Corn Maze & Pumpkin Fest in Lehi, Utah and Dell'Osso Family Farm in Lathrop, California.

The objective of this outreach project is to expose guests to NASA space exploration and educate a million kids across the United States. The celebration is very timely. This year NASA has celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first American in space, the 30th anniversary of the first Space Shuttle mission and the 20th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope's deployment in space. NASA also recently completed construction of the International Space Station and will conclude the Space Shuttle Program after the final shuttle launch in July.
NASA is now focusing its attention on creating a sustainable environment in space so that future generations can actually live and work there. A key component of any future sustainability, whether on a different planet or on the international space station, will be having the ability to grow food in space. The seven "Space Farms" here on Earth will showcase demonstrations on how that can be done.

The Rock Ranch is a working cattle ranch originally opened in 1989 as a result of S. Truett Cathy's passion for educating families through the cattle ranch and farming. The 1,250 acre ranch has added dozens of activities since its inception and attracts families, school groups, and businesses alike to enjoy a unique experience in agritourism. The Rock Ranch is located approximately one hour south of Atlanta, one hour northeast of Columbus, and 30 minutes northwest of Macon in Upson County.

Notice: No outside food or drink and no pets allowed please.
For additional information, contact The Rock Ranch at (706) 647-6374 or visit http://www.therockranch.com

2011 Calendar of Events
July 5 - July 30 (Tues- Sat): Fun in the Summer Time
Sept. 24 - Fall Family Fun Days - 50 Years of Space Exploration Corn Maze Kick Off
October 1 - Growing Up Green with Bob and Larry of Veggie Tales
October 8 - The Official Georgia Day of the Cowboy
October 15 - Hot Air Balloon Rally
October 22 - The Great Outdoor Adventure
October 29 - The "Not-So-Spooky" Halloween Festival
November 5 - Pumpkin Destruction Day
November 12 - The Kritter Jubilee
December 3 - Breakfast with Santa
December 1, 2, 3 - Journey to the Manger
December 6 - December 31 - A Country Christmas In Lights
December 10 - Breakfast with Santa

New for 2011: All Natural Produce
April 15 - May 30 Strawberries (U-Pick)
April 15 - August 15 Vidalia Onions
April 15 - August 30 Tomatoes
June 1 - July 31 Squash
June 15 - August 30 - Sweet Corn
June and July - Blueberries and Sweet Peppers