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Downed Corn Along the Road

Saw something interesting today as I was driving up to the Quad Cities. Just into Mercer County, the most beautiful field of corn had taken some...

Holly Spangler, Prairie Farmer Senior Editor

August 14, 2008

2 Min Read
Farm Progress logo in a gray background | Farm Progress

Saw something interesting today as I was driving up to the Quad Cities. Just into Mercer County, the most beautiful field of corn had taken some serious wind damage, knocking down a swath of corn maybe 70 yards wide and probably a third of a mile long. It must’ve been a whale of a storm, because stalks weren’t just bent over, they snapped in two. I’m guessing it happened a month prior, judging by the browning leaves and stalk injuries – and by all the tree limbs that were down and had already turned brown. Two interesting points to note: 1/ it appeared to be the only field in that area with wind damage – fields just adjacent stood perfectly. And 2/ those crazy broken-off stalks – the stumps – were actually trying to produce a tiny little ear. Never mind that the tassel was lying on the ground, dead. Clearly, corn has a will to reproduce.

I’ll share a couple photos from the field. Apologies for the quality – I shot them with my little point-and-shoot Nikon. It may not do the most professional job, but it sure fits nicely into my purse/diaper bag/pocket. And hey, truth be told, I wasn’t really working – I was actually traveling with a couple girlfriends for a fun evening on the town. I’ll spare you the details, but will share that I was talked into trying sushi; it wasn’t bad, but the cattle industry needn’t worry about losing a beef eater.


A couple stalks stand at the edge of the field.


Check out the tiny ear that’s shooting up from the left side.


Ugh. Enough to make you go home and be thankful for what you’ve got – and really feel for this farmer.

About the Author

Holly Spangler

Prairie Farmer Senior Editor, Farm Progress

Holly Spangler has covered Illinois agriculture for more than two decades, bringing meaningful production agriculture experience to the magazine’s coverage. She currently serves as editor of Prairie Farmer magazine and Executive Editor for Farm Progress, managing editorial staff at six magazines throughout the eastern Corn Belt. She began her career with Prairie Farmer just before graduating from the University of Illinois in agricultural communications.

An award-winning writer and photographer, Holly is past president of the American Agricultural Editors Association. In 2015, she became only the 10th U.S. agricultural journalist to earn the Writer of Merit designation and is a five-time winner of the top writing award for editorial opinion in U.S. agriculture. She was named an AAEA Master Writer in 2005. In 2011, Holly was one of 10 recipients worldwide to receive the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Ag Journalism award. She currently serves on the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation, the U of I Agricultural Communications Advisory committee, and is an advisory board member for the U of I College of ACES Research Station at Monmouth. Her work in agricultural media has been recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn, Illinois Council on Agricultural Education and MidAmerica Croplife Association.

Holly and her husband, John, farm in western Illinois where they raise corn, soybeans and beef cattle on 2,500 acres. Their operation includes 125 head of commercial cows in a cow/calf operation. The family farm includes John’s parents and their three children.

Holly frequently speaks to a variety of groups and organizations, sharing the heart, soul and science of agriculture. She and her husband are active in state and local farm organizations. They serve with their local 4-H and FFA programs, their school district, and are active in their church's youth and music ministries.

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