Family brings us many characteristics, interests and activities as our inheritance. From my side of the family, we gained a longing for the north woods and life at the cabin. I still speak with a Wisconsin accent.
My husband’s family has given us the appreciation for county living on the farm with all the work it entails. One activity my husband’s dad enjoyed was the hand–husking of corn.
In the 1930s, before the corn pickers and combines came into vogue, each ear of corn in the field was picked by hand and tossed into a corn wagon. The wagon, equipped with a bang board, was pulled by the farmers’ team of horses. Each yellow ear ricocheted off the bang board and dropped into the wagon. The horses did not need a driver, since they knew when to move the wagon ahead and stop at the place the corn picking farmer needed it to be.
For fun, corn picking contests were held. Many fans and contestants came together to see who could pick the fastest and pick the heaviest, cleanest load of corn. The competition was divided into heats of 80 minutes. It was an agrarian’s “World’s Fair.”
In the 1980s, a revival of the National Hand Corn Husking Contest began. It was then that my father-in-law introduced the sport to my husband and me. We attended several contests and began competing. By this time, the length of heats was whittled down to 30, 20 and 10-minute segments depending on the class which was competing.
My husband’s dad was a champion hand corn husker. My husband and I vied for a trophy placement in our classes. My husband did well. I did okay, but neither of us could pick as well and as fast as the older gentlemen and ladies who had picked in their youth.
On a clear day this September, Minnesota held the State Hand Corn Husking Contest. It is held every year in Oak Center, Minn., during Corn Shredding Days. Nowadays the contest is not as popular as it once was, yet our family makes the effort to get there and many of us compete. Besides the competition there are other agrarian sights and activities to enjoy, like an antique tractor parade, a slow race and threshing. And yes, there is food.
These days, the wagons are not pulled by horses, but with tractors. Yet the excitement and fun of trying an activity that others have done so well invite us back each year. It is a chance to see history and pass the knowledge on to the youngsters. This year, four of our grandchildren, our daughter-in-law and a friend tried husking for the first time. Classes range from Youth-14 years and younger, up to the golden agers-75 years and up.
Some years, corn husking can be easy when the husks are dry. This year, some husks were tough to remove. All contestants have the same conditions in which to compete.
Consider coming to Corn Shredding Days and witness or compete in the Minnesota State Hand Corn Husking Contest on the last Saturday in September. It just might become a family affair for you and your kin.
Lemon Bars
Crust: 2 cups flour ½ cup powdered sugar ½ pound butter
Mix with pastry blender until ball is formed. Press into a 9×13” pan. Bake 25 minutes at 350°.
Topping: 4 eggs, well-beaten 2 cups granulated sugar 10 Tablespoons lemon juice 4 Tablespoons flour ½ teaspoon baking powder
Beat eggs well, add sugar, lemon juice, flour and baking powder. Pour over baked crust and bake again for 25 minutes at 350°.
When cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar and cut into bars.
Recipe credit: Ethel Anderson
Leave a Reply