Winter Farm Memories 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!

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Dan Sanderson Receives Illinois Leopold Conservation Award

By Sand County Foundation • August 28, 2025

Illinois Farmer Awarded Leopold Conservation Award

Streambank Erosion: An Overlooked Threat to Illinois Farmland

By Tara Desmond • August 28, 2025

Streambank Erosion: An Overlooked Threat to Illinois Farmland

Five Farmers Share the Advice They’d Give Their Younger Selves

By Tara Desmond • August 28, 2025

What Experienced Farmers Wish They Knew Starting Out

From intern to leader: How an IL Corn internship shaped Kacie Claire’s career in agriculture

By Jennie Abbott • August 21, 2025

Farm Bureau Manager Kacie Claire shares about her past internship at IL Corn

American Craft Spirits Association Announces 2025 Heartland Whiskey Competition’s Four Farmer-Distiller Awards in Three Categories

By American Craft Spirits Association • August 21, 2025

The Farmer-Distiller: Best Bourbon resulted in a numerical tie, with two distilleries sharing the honor. Queens Reserve, a product of Wood Hat Spirits in Florence, Missouri scored identically to Bloody Butcher Bourbon, which is produced by Pathfinder Farm Distillery in Boonsboro, Maryland.

Green corn stalks in a field, blue sky with white clouds.

Farmers Face Growing Supply, Shrinking Prices

By Lyndi Allen • August 21, 2025

The time for change is now, action is needed from Congress and the administration after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest World Agriculture and Supply and Demand Estimates report