The Cornhusking Nationals!

(All photos in this post are from The Farm at Prophetstown Facebook page.)

Believe it or not, the Cornhusking Nationals are held here at The Farm at Prophetstown in tiny Battle Ground, Indiana. Not only that, but the state championship was held there, too, this weekend!

The corn husking is done by hand, and the shucked corn is tossed into a wagon pulled by draft horses as they harvest the fields.

It is hard, hand and finger blistering work, and far slower than modern methods done by gigantic harvesting combines.

A team of Belgians awaits trolley passengers in the farmyard of the homestead.

Competitors brought their own horses and wagons, and stabled their horses in the farm's big barn.

Bojangles, the farm's resident miniature horse, gets acquainted with a beautiful team of Percherons.

Isn't this Belgian gorgeous?

The Percherons,  harnessed and ready to compete. 

They wait patiently as the husker does his job.

Leslie told me the horses that had come for the competition were all Belgians and Percherons. I am assuming that this is a pair of black Percherons.

 A pair of Belgians wait their turn to compete. That's the big barn in the background.

The farm's Belgians pulled the trolley out into the fields so spectators could get a closer look at the cornhusking.

 Presenting the 2015 Golden Age Cornhusking Champion - 83 year old John Henry Becker!

I love the colors on this vintage grain wagon.

Working their way down the cornrows. And having some good conversation along the way.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch... er, farmstead, there were games and activities set up for families and spectators. My favorite?

The corn sandbox! And all the John Deere green toys!