Learn corn harvesting techniques at Kline Creek Farm

Visitors can get some firsthand experience this month harvesting corn using techniques from the 1890s at Kline Creek Farm near West Chicago.

The Forest Preserve District's Corn Harvest will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26 at the living-history farm, 1N600 County Farm Road.

Visitors will hear the history of this valuable crop at "corn college" before hitting the fields to pick some of the corn that will feed the farm's cows and sheep over the winter. They can help load the wagons and may even help store the harvest in the corn crib.

Throughout the day, visitors can tour the 19th-century farmhouse, make corn-husk figures and explore the barn, chicken coop, sheepfold and other buildings on the 200-acre farm.

Volunteer beekeepers will be on hand to answer questions in the honey house, and a blacksmith will demonstrate the tools and techniques of the trade in the wagon shed from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Registration is not required for this free program, and activities are ongoing. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes for walking in the fields and be prepared to handle corn and stalks.

For more information, call the farm at (630) 876-5900.

Updates and additional information about Corn Harvest also can be found on Kline Creek Farm's Facebook page.