Harvest to Home Event

Harvest to Home returns to the Illinois Amish Heritage Center!

Harvest to Home returns to broaden activities and demonstrations at the Center and rotates with our Steam Threshing Days which occur in even numbered years while Harvest to Home is in the odd numbered years.

The purpose of the show is to teach show attendees how crops were grown and harvested during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Amish continue using many of these methods in their farming operations today.

The 2023 show will feature activities surrounding corn and different types of corn such as Broom, Dent, Flint, and Popcorn. Corn will be harvested using hand shucking and mechanical pickers pulled by horses and tractors. Corn shelling using a Minneapolis Moline Corn Sheller will demonstrate how corn is separated from the ear and cleaned. The cobs will be ground into livestock bedding using a cob grinder. Corn will be ground into livestock feed powered by horses. A grist mill will be in operation making corn meal.

Wood and lumber demonstrations are a big attraction. This year, you will see sawmilling powered by gas and steam power, plus a buzz saw. Field demonstrations will feature horse and tractor plowing, corn stalk chopping and disking. There will be displays of antique farm machinery, tractors, early “hit and miss” gasoline engines, and miniature steam powered displays. Visitors will see blacksmithing demonstrations, horse shoeing, equipment powered by horse treadmills, broom and rope making. There will be buggy rides and a “train” will transport show goers around the grounds along with a variety of children’s activities.


Source: illinoisamish.org

Photo Credit: gettyimages-steve-greer