Winter Farm Memories From Illinois Farmers
January 16, 2025
Tara Desmond
Winter on the farm isn’t just about battling the cold—it’s a season full of memories, both challenging and heartwarming. Here are a few favorite (and sometimes hilarious) winter moments from Illinois farmers:
- Snow Tunnels and Sled Rides
After Dad plowed the driveway, we’d dig tunnels through the snow piles and carve sled paths down the biggest drifts. Forget the hill—we had our own winter playground right outside the house. - The Human Sled
One winter, when the driveway was snowed in, my grandparents had to park their car at the end of the lane and trek home. My grandpa pulled my grandma on her back (in coveralls) through the snow like sled. She laughed about it for years! - Staying Warm, Farm Style
Sitting on top of heat registers to stay warm was a classic. This triggered multiple tea parties on the register with our mom—it was the coziest spot in the house during winter storms. - Cold-Weather Calving
Nothing says winter like an unexpected calf born during a snowstorm. We’d haul buckets of hot water to warm them up in the field or bring them into makeshift heaters to save their lives. - Resourceful Meals
When the lane was drifted shut and trips to the grocery store weren’t an option, we got creative. Freezer-burned corn, random cuts of meat, and whatever else we could find turned into a "meal." Not gourmet, but it got the job done! - Boot Battles
Wet, frozen boots were a morning nightmare until heated boot mats came along. Before that, boots got tossed onto heat registers—until the smell of manure spread through the house, earning some choice words from the family!

Winter on the farm is never boring. These memories remind us of the resilience, creativity, and humor it takes to get through the coldest months.

By Lindsay Croke
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June 30, 2025
When we think of Independence Day traditions, sweet corn on the cob is as iconic as fireworks and often even more central to the celebration. According to Instacart, purchases of sweet corn surge by 380% over the annual average heading into July 4th, outranking other grilling staples like baby back ribs and burgers. But corn's role in your Fourth of July celebration goes far beyond your plate. In Illinois alone, 8,300 acres of sweet corn are harvested annually, averaging 155 cwt per acre. That’s more than 128 million pounds of locally grown sweetness fueling summer cookouts across the state. And while sweet corn makes a big impression on the grill, most of Illinois’ corn crop isn’t sweet corn - it’s field corn. Less than 1% of the state’s crop is sweet corn, while the rest is used in products that are often invisible to consumers but vital to everyday life: fuel, packaging, fireworks, and even spirits.