Corn huskers compete at Gilfillan

By SARA SYVERSON

Journal Staff Writer

GILFILLAN FARM -- The sun smiled down on the corn huskers taking part in the State Hand Corn Husking Contest held Saturday at the Gilfillan Farm near Morgan.

"It's going really good," said Dena Bickhardt, one of the coordinators of the event, "It's great weather. We're really enjoying it. We feel the turnout's bigger than expected."

Corn husking by hand was how farmers, their wives and children and friends harvest corn before giant harvesters were used. In a 10-hour day, very often people could pick up to 60 or 75 bushels of corn, and 100 bushels was exceptional.

The contest tests that old-fashioned skill as up to eight different corn huskers go out into a field and pull the ear of corn off the stalk and take the husks off from the corn in one swift motion. As the husker moves down the row a nearby horse-drawn wagon catches the corn.

A judge and a gleaner also goes with the husker through the field. The contestant is judged on any corn left on the stalks and any corn dropped from the wagon. The participant is also judged on how much of the husks are left with the corn at the end of the contest. Any amount over one ounce of husks begins to count against the contestant.

The competition is always timed and it is broken down into approximately nine different categories such as youth, young adults, seniors, and open classes. Winners are eligible to attend the National Corn Husking Contest which will be held this year in Kimballton, Iowa, on Oct. 21 and 22.

Three gun shots are fired for each competition. The first shot is a one-minute warning shot for contestants to get ready, the second shot is to start husking and the third shot is to stop husking, according to Bill Schwandt, Chairman of the Friends of Gilfillan Farm.

"It's a lot of work," said Schwandt,"But it's worth it when things kinda come together."

The first State Hand Corn Husking Contest was held at the Albert and Esther Pabst farm in rural Sanborn in 1972. The Pabsts are still actively helping to coordinate the event every year. Next year's State and National Hand Corn Husking Contest will be held at the Gilfillian Farm. The dates of the contest have yet to be determined. Preparations are already being made for next year's state/national contest said Esther Pabst.

"It's (national competition) is quite a big deal," said Esther Pabst, "It's a two day event. The state contest is held one day before the national contest."

Pabst said the contest at the Gilfillan Farm on Saturday went well.

"It's a relaxing day," said Pabst.

The Pabsts have children and grandchildren who compete in the contest.

"We got a lot of volunteer help," said Pabst, "We'd like to thank everyone who helped."