Flashback: Howell Living History Farm

A couple of weeks back, the kiddos and I embarked on a trip to a local farm.  This was not your run of the mill farm, you see.  It is a living history farm, one in which operates exactly as it did over a century ago, complete with costumed interpreters.

Our group was to harvest corn.  Every step of the harvesting process was done by the kids, by hand, just as it was back in the late 1800's.  They even got to eat the fruits of their labor!  Some of their ground corn meal was made into corn bread (which was delicious, btw) and other kernels were popped into popcorn.  All of this done over a wood burning stove.  :-)

First, they had to pick and husk the corn.  Secondly, all of the kernels had to be removed from the cob. Thirdly, the kernels were ground; some very fine for making into bread, others coarse to be fed to the animals (which the kids did, as well).  The photographs below show each of those steps, including kiddo #3 operating an authentic butter churn.  Their butter was added to the top of the cornbread when it was done. 

It was not only an awesome learning experience(the kiddos said it was the best trip we had taken so far), but a lot of fun, too.   Can't get much better than that!  :-)