First Harvest

It was a very cold day this November 18, 2023 and we got a call from our farmer Jamie asking if we would like to see the first harvest. It was quite an adventure for Kathy and I as we watched the whole process of harvesting the corn with modern heavy farm equipment. The corn was planted late in the year and the property has not been farmed in many years. The planting includes no-till farming and Non-GMO corn. No-till farming is a technique of planting seeds without tilling the soil. Tilling soil would turn over 6-10 inches of soil before planting which leaves the precious topsoil exposed to erosion and loss of nutrients. Our bushels per acre exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Harvesting Corn at Beacon Hill Farm

Bruce and Jamie in the New Holland CR8.90 Twin Rotor Combine talking details during the first corn harvest at Beacon Hill Farm. They are discussing how it works, RPM’s, bushels per acre, how corn kernels are stripped off the cob, moisture content, and other details.

Corn Kernels, Yellow Gold, Filling the Grain Tank, Non-GMO

Filling the Grain Cart. The harvested corn kernels deposited in the combine are transferred to a Grain Tank traveling alongside the combine. The “yellow gold” is sold to the local feed mill which goes to feed non-GMO chickens for Whole Foods. The cut corn stalks are left on the field to become ground cover and compost for next year. This organic matter is protecting the ground from erosion and moisture loss. It also protects and adds nutrients.

Corn Stalk Compost and Organic Mushroom Compost

During the harvest 4 tons per acre of organic matter is deposited on the Beacon Hill Farm field. The organic matter comes from the stalks of corn cut and dropped during harvest. Earlier in the year before planting, mushroom compost, containing lots of nutrients and micro-nutrients, is spread on the fields. This organic mushroom compost is acquired locally. The Mushroom Capital of the World is down the road from Beacon Hill Farm in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Half of America’s mushrooms are grown here.

Are these Cobs good for Making Corn Cob Pipes?

Jamie and I are chatting during the corn harvest as the cob and stalk of the corn are being deposited on the field as compost. I ask Jamie if these cobs are good for making a corn cob pipe from this first harvest.

Kathy’s Turn to Ride in the Twin Rotor New Holland CR8.90 Harvester

There’s not a cloud in the sky as Kathy climbs into the combine to experience a front row seat during our first harvest at Beacon Hill Farm. As the machine rolls towards the field you can see above the windshield the satellite GPS guidance system that provides the precision farming technology you saw displayed on the cabin screen in an earlier video.  When the combine begins its cutting, threshing, and cleaning the corn, you can see (at the back of the combine) the stalk debris being deposited on the field to help with next year’s crop.

Harvester Moving Through Field During Sunset

Jamie’s impressed with how good the corn looked during the season since we planted late in the year. I’m joking with Jamie because the tires are still there in the field.