Corn Planting

May – June

Visit a field that farmers are plowing or harrowing with horses in preparation for planting corn...or see newly-emerged corn weeded or cultivated. (Field experience varies according to the real work being done on the farm on the day of your visit.) Learn about the seeds and tools farmers used, how soil provides the plant with its basic needs, and how weather and other conditions affect germination and growth. Hands-on activities include seed selection, soil exploration, and corn planting. After a brief visit to the circa-1900 kitchen inside the farmhouse, participants will also get to sample homemade cornbread.

Farm Animals

In a 90-minute sampler of the Howell Farm morning chores, children meet horses, sheep, pigs, and chickens, learning how a farmer’s family works to keep the animals healthy, warm, and productive during the coming winter. Participants help shell and grind corn for animal feed, look for eggs in the henhouse, and help the farmer with other work around the farm.

July

5  Evening Blacksmithing (5:00–8:00 p.m.)

12 Evening Animal Chores (5:00–8:00 p.m.)

19  Evening Animal Chores (5:00–8:00 p.m.)

26 & 27   Mercer County 4-H Fair & Wheat Threshing

August

2  Honey Harvest 

9  Potato Harvest           

16 Canning & Pickling

 

23  Fiddlin' Contest 

30 42nd Annual Plowing Match