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.
The IAHC Campus continues to expand. This year will feature tours of the 1879 Miller/Herschberger Barn that was relocated and raised in 2022, plus the restored 1882 Daniel Schrock home that has been beautifully outfitted with period furnishings and fixtures. The 1865 Moses Yoder home will be open as well as our German Schoolhouse and Yoder Workshop. A highlight each day will be the Parade of Power featuring horses and mechanical powered equipment with commentary provided to describe the items as they pass by.
Food will be served in our pavilion. We will have full meals and sandwiches, plus a pancake, sausage, and liverwurst breakfast served on Saturday. You can also enjoy home made ice cream, kettle corn, lemonade shakeups, crafts, exhibitors, “fall related activities” and much more. All funds are used for the continued growth of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center Campus. Everyone is welcome and invited to come out for a day of fun and learning for the entire family. Golf carts are welcome. The campus offers convenient parking with restroom facilities on site and is also handicapped accessible.
If you can’t make it on Friday, we will see you Saturday!
October 6th 9am-6pm
October 7th 7am-3pm
**This is an outside event and is completely reliant upon the weather. Decisions affecting activities may be made on site without notice of printed and broadcast announcements.**