Darien CornFest 2021

FREE SWEET CORN Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

2021

Darien

Sept. 10-12 in Darien West Park

PUBLISHED BY

Southern Lakes Newspapers and Rock Valley Publishing Sept. 2021

Page 2

2021 DARIEN CORNFEST

Community donations keep Cornfest running Every year Cornfest organizers go out into the community to gather monetary and goods donations to ensure a long life for the festival.

Cornfest uses the money to pay for things like the fireworks, to help improve the community and the insurance needed for the festival. Corniest uses the goods donations to sell at the auction to raise additional funds to help fill in the gaps.

The Darien Cornfest is run completely by volunteers who donate many hours of planning to make sure that the festival goes off without a hitch.

The following a is list of individuals, companies and organizations that donate goods and services for Cornfest:

Madi Mack and her sister, Olivia Mack, of Powers Lake, dig into their ears of corn during the 2018 Cornfest. Birds Eye donates the free sweet corn for the annual festival.

Congratulations Cornfest on 60 Years!

Serving Hot Lunch Daily

• StineBrinks Piggly Wiggly; • Pirate’s Cove; • First National Bank of Darien; • Sorg’s Quality Meat and Sausage; • Shabby Shack; • Duck Inn; • Lake Front Mobil; • Bond’s Auto Care; • Brick Street Market; • Denise Murphy; • Downtown Deli; • American Spirit; • Classic Embroidery; • Brown’s Service;

PENNY GRUETZMACHER Cornfest

• Pelishek’s Fine Jewelry; • Wheeler’s Bowling Center; • New Horizon’s; • Darien Legion Post 450; • Tana’s Restaurant; • Schultz’s Pit Stop; • Cruise Inn; • Jan’s Hallmark; • Kikkoman; • Barker Lumber; • Evergreen Golf Club; • Lenny’s Pig Roast; • Beal Jewelry; • Randy Cobb Carpentry; • Country Station; • Bliss Machine; • Mike and Mary Linden; • MidState; • Staller Estates; • Mike Welch Auctions; • Delbrook Greenies; • Fleet Service; • Utiger Jewelry; • Sandy’s Custom Catering; • Farmer’s Inn; • Logterman Heating and Cooling; • Kunes Auto Group; • Johnson Tractor; • Bigelow Landscaping; • Bill and Cindy Luesenhopp; • Phil and Phyllis Putman; • Hooch Hut; • Royal Baskets; • CJW; • Terrace Gardens; • Ace Hardware; • Scott Wood Products; and • Waterfront Bar and Grill.

Thank you Birds Eye

for the free corn

Homemade Sandwiches & Desserts in Our Deli Great Beer Selection

GAS • C ONVENIENC E STORE • DELI

Corner of Hwy. 11, 14 & 89, Darien, Wis. (262) 882-5119 HOURS: Monday – Friday 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

402234

Birds Eye foods in Darien donates the sweet corn for the 60th annual Cornfest celebration. Free roasted corn on the cob will be served all Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11 and 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Darien West Park.

According to the Birds Eye website, Clarence Birdseye was a man of vision, curiosity and persistence.

He was a naturalist, a businessman and a skillful inventor who used his unique gifts to develop a flash freezing process that not only preserved food safely but also preserved its taste and appearance.

Birdseye returned to the Unites States and formed the General Seafood Corporation with some wealthy partners who believed in his process.

The partners’ financial support allowed the inventive Birdseye to develop and perfect a machine called a “Quick Freeze Machine” that he unveiled in 1926.

Birdseye then focused on marketing.

He tested refrigerated grocery display cases and entered into a joint venture agreement to manufacture them.

Birdseye’s company began leasing refrigerated boxcars to transport frozen foods by rail in 1944. This made national distribution a reality and Birdseye a legend.

Fresh from the farm

Birds Eye has a long history of working with local farmers and some of the company’s family farms go back generations, according to the website.

“Some companies have lofty goals.

To fight disease. Or feed the world.

Or save the planet. At Birds Eye our ambition is humble. We just want to help people eat more vegetables,” the Birds Eye website states.

• CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

‘60 Years of Free Ears’ 2021 DARIEN CORNFEST

Page 3

Cornfest returns to Darien

The 60th annual Cornfest should have been in 2020, but with the cancelation of the event because of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, Cornfest will celebrate it’s 60th birthday in 2021.

Cornfest runs Sept. 10 to 12 in Darien West Park, at the intersection of Highway 14 and North Road at 335 W. Madison St. Cornfest features family friendly activities throughout its three-day run with live music, children’s activities, a parade, fireworks and carnival. The festival also offers sporting tournaments in softball, horseshoe, Hammerschlagen and volleyball and cornhole.

The annual celebration of all things corn has all-you-can-eat, sweet corn, donated

by Birds Eye, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Cornfest 2021 is sponsored by the Darien Crossed Irons Fire Fighters Association, Darien Community Club and Darien Cornfest Committee.

The Delavan-Darien Athletic Booster Club is, once again, hosting a breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Other highlights include the Mini-Rods Tractor Pull at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and the Big Corn Shell-Out at 3 p.m. followed by the annual raffle drawing at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Tournaments, contests

Every year, Cornfest hosts a 32-team softball tournament. Prizes are awarded for the top placing teams. Games are played Saturday and Sunday.

Prizes will be awarded to top three teams in championship round. There will be a “toilet bowl” round as well.

For more information, contact Nichols at 262-215-2811.

The volleyball tournament of competitive co-ed 6’s is Saturday at the Darien West Park volleyball courts A mandatory captain’s meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Rules – USA volleyball rules. Pool play, two games of 25. Games played will be determined by the amount of teams and pools.

Cornfest also hosts horseshoe and Hammerschlagn games.

A superhero themed float in the 2018 Darien Cornfest Parade features Disney’s The Incredibles. This year’s parade will step off on Sunday, Sept.

12, at noon in downtown Darien. The annual Liberty Bike Parade steps off at 11:15 a.m.

PENNY CRUETZMACHER Cornfest

Hammerschlagen is a German game reportedly dating from 1940 in which several contestants try to hammer a nail into a post. The hammer is passed between players until someone countersinks their nail into the wood. It is usually considered an adult game but children can play when accompanied by an adult.

Hammerschlagen is played just outside

the corn barn Friday night and throughout the day Saturday. Prizes are awarded to the winners and are subject to change.

Parade

The 2021 Cornfest parade kicks off with the Liberty Bike Ride at 11:15 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12, followed by the parade

Monroe Funeral Home

604 E. Walworth Avenue Delavan, WI 53115 PATRICK TAUSCHER Director

MARK MONROE Director

CAL MONROE 1925-1996

402123

• CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

2021 DARIEN

262-728-3353

www.delavanfuneralhome.com

& Cremation Services

line up, which steps off in downtown Darien at noon.

The Liberty Bike Ride is an annual tradition that features military veterans on motorcycles giving tribute to our current and lost military men and women with decorated motorcycles.

Darien (262) 724-5757

FARM-CITY ELEVATOR

104 Wisconsin St. Darien, WI www.farmcity elevator.com

CORNFEST

A publication of SOUTHERN LAKES NEWSPAPERS and ROCK VALLEY PUBLISHING 1102 Ann St., Delavan, WI 53115 (262) 728-3411

Section Editor........... Tracy Ouellette Creative Director........... Heidi Schulz Page Design.................Jen DeGroot Advertising............Vicki Vanderwerff

For advertising opportunities,

www.farmcityelevator.com 402235

call (262) 728-3411

Page 4

2021 DARIEN CORNFEST

CORNFEST RETURNS Any veteran who would like to ride a motorcycle (all kinds welcome) in the Liberty Bike Ride can fill out the parade form at the Cornfest website, www. dariencornfest.us.

Line-up for parade units being judged will begin at 10 a.m. Parade participants must be lined up in your spot before 11 a.m. to be judged.

The parade route is about three-quarters of a mile long. There will be two reviewing stands the first will be in front of the Farmers Inn and the other on Madison Street.

Parade line-ups are sent out in advance.

If there are any questions (including those on parade day), go to the staging area at Darien Legion Hall.

Cornfest awards ribbons for novelties, horses and tractors. Ribbons and cash prizes are awarded for floats.

This year’s theme is “60 Years of Free Ears.”

Carnival

The carnival is open all three days of

• CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

the event with wristband specials at $25 from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, noon to 4 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday.

Headlining on the Miller Lite Stage this year are the Allen’s Grove Band on Friday and the Cherry Pie on Saturday. Both bands take the stage at 7 p.m.

Schedule of events

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Darien Women’s Club Carmel Apples Delights Noon – Cornhole Turnament Noon to 3 p.m. – Jess Piano 12:30 p.m. – Mini-Rods Tractor Pull 7 p.m. – Cherry Pie on the Miller Lite Stage

SUNDAY, SEPT. 12 All day – 32-Team Men’s Softball Tournament, horseshoe tournament, merchandise, crafts, bingo, carnival 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Darien Women’s Club Carmel Apples Delights 11:15 a.m. – Horseshoe tournament 11:15 p.m. – Liberty Bike Ride Noon – Parade, downtown Darien 3 p.m. – The Big Corn Shell-Out Raffle Drawing 4 p.m. – Raffle drawing ($1 each or six for $5)

FRIDAY, SEPT. 10 6 p.m. – Co-ed softball, Hammerschlagn, carnival 7 p.m. – Allen’s Grove Band on the Miller Lite Stage 9 p.m. – Fireworks

SATURDAY, SEPT. 11 7 to 10 a.m. – Booster Club breakfast All day – 32-Team Men’s Softball Tournament, volleyball tournament, horseshoe Tournament, merchandise, crafts, bingo, Hammerschlagn, carnival

For more information on Cornfest events, go to www.dariencornfest.com.

2021 DARIEN CORNFEST Sept. 10 to 12 in Darien West Park Featuring free sweet corn Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All weekend – 32-team Men’s Softball Tournament, volleyball tournament, horseshoe tournament, merchandise, crafts, bingo and midway.

Carnival $25 wristband specials – Friday, 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.

Entertainment Friday, Sept. 10 • 7 p.m. – Allen’s Grove Band Saturday, Sept. 11 • 7 p.m. – Cherry Pie

How to get to Cornfest

Darien Cornfest is at Darien West Park, which is just east of Interstate 43 (Exit 15) on Highway 14.

Darien is about 15 minutes north of Beloit, an hour from Milwaukee and only minutes from Lake Geneva and beautiful Fox Lake, Illinois.

Kids ride on the kiddie coaster during the 2015 Cornfest in Darien. The carnival is open all weekend with discounted wristband specials offered during select times Friday and Saturday.

VICKY WEDIG Cornfest

RESLER & ASSOCIATES, LLC 3238 Main Street, East Troy 53120 (262) 642-3483 722 W. Main Street, Suite 105 Lake Geneva, WI 53147 (262) 248-4239 208 N. Main Street, Walworth, WI 53184 (262) 275-2777

Congratulations Cornfest

On Your 60th Annual Festival FROM THE VILLAGE AND TOWN OF DARIEN

www.reslerandassociates.com

2021 402365

Insure carefully, dream fearlessly.

402417

Cornfest tournaments 2021 DARIEN CORNFEST

OFFER FUN FOR ALL

Sports tournaments and games have always been a part of the Darien Cornfest. From softball to volleyball to Hammerschlagen there is always something for everyone.

SOFTBALL Darien Cornfest hosts a 32-team softball tournament every year. Prizes are awarded for the top placing teams. Games start Friday night and run all weekend.

Entry forms can be found online at www.dariencornfest.com.

Call Greg at 262-215-2811 for more information.

VOLLEYBALL The volleyball tournament of competitive co-ed 6’s begins Saturday morning at the Darien West Park volleyball courts.

Rules – USA volleyball rules. Pool play, two games of 25. Games played will be determined by the amount of teams and pools.

Registration closed Aug. 31. For more information about the tournament, visit www.dariencornfest.com.

The Darien Cornfest volleyball tournament begins on Saturday, Sept. 11, on the Darien West Park Volleyball courts.

The competitive co-ed 6 format plays under the USA volleyball rules.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Cornfest

HORSESHOE The horseshoe tournament will be on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11 and 12.

Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and the tournament starts at noon both days.

For more information, call Shane Koehl at 262-374-3755.

CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT The Cornhole Tournament is at noon on Saturday. Sign-up is at 11:30 a.m. with the tournament beginning at 12:15 p.m.

Call Connor at 262-261-4358 for more information.

HAMMERSCHLAGEN Hammerschlagen is a German game reportedly dating from 1940 in which several contestants try to hammer a nail into a post. The hammer is passed between players until someone countersinks their nail into the wood. It is usually considered an adult game but children can play when accompanied by an adult.

Hammerschlagen is played just outside the corn barn Friday night and throughout the day Saturday and Sunday. Prizes are awarded to the winners and are subject to change.

BINGO Bingo is played Saturday and Sunday during the Cornfest in the Fire Station garage next to the festival grounds.

Cash prizes are awarded (amounts vary depending on participation). Cost is 50 cents a card or three cards for $1.

The annual Cornhole Tournament is at noon on Saturday. Sign-up for all ages begins at 11:30 a.m.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Cornfest

Page 5

TECTION FOR YOUR FARM. PROTECTION FOR YOUR FARM. PROTECTION FORFUTURE. YOUR FARM. YOUR FARM'S Page 6

2021 DARIEN CORNFEST

YOURFARM'S FARM'SFUTURE. FUTURE. ANDAND YOUR

ve got big plans for the future and at American Family Insurance, You’ve got big plans for the future and at American Family Insurance, You’ve gotwe big plans forwhat the future and at American Family understand it takesto to make your dream a reality. we understand what it takes make your dream aInsurance, reality. we understand what it takes to make your dream a reality.

Let’s talk about the protection your dream deserves.

Let’s talk about the protection your dreamdeserves. deserves.

PROTECTION FOR YOUR FARM. Let’s talk about the protection your dream

AND YOUR FARM'S FUTURE. Matthew Faytle, Agent

Matthew Faytle & Associates, Inc.

Matthew Faytle, Agent

Matthew Faytle, Agent You’ve got big plans for the future and at American Family Insurance, we understand what it takes toMatthew make your dream a reality.

Faytle & Associates, Inc.

Bus: (262) 728-2585 Matthew Faytle & Associates, Inc.

Let’s talk about the protection 1407your Racinedream St Ste Adeserves.

Delavan, WI 53115 Bus: (262) 728-2585 Bus: (262) 1407 Racine728-2585 St Ste A Matthew Faytle, Agent 1407 Racine St Ste A Delavan, WI 53115 Matthew Faytle & Associates, Inc.

Delavan, WI 53115

American Family Mutual Insurance Company S.I. and its Operating Companies, American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison Wisconsin 53783 ©2019 016630 – 04/19 – 14797333

Bus: (262) 728-2585 1407 Racine St Ste A Delavan, WIits53115 American Family Mutual Insurance Company S.I. and Operating Companies,

Look up

American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison Wisconsin 53783 ©2019 016630 – 04/19 – 14797333

American Family Mutual Insurance Company S.I. and its Operating Companies, American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, American Family Mutual Insurance Company S.I. and–its04/19 Operating Madison Wisconsin 53783 ©2019 016630 – Companies, 14797333 American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison Wisconsin 53783 ©2019 016630 – 04/19 – 14797333

402421

The Darien Cornfest fireworks display will be at 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, at Darien West Park.

STOCK PHOTO Cornfest

Bond’s Auto Care & Performance Steve “Junior” Williams, Owner

Congratulations Cornfest On 60 Years!

DEFICIENCY FREE 905 East Geneva Street Delavan, WI 53115 Tel: 262-728-6319 Fax: 262-728-6693

106 E. Walworth Avenue Delavan, WI 53115

VA Contracted

Phone: 262-728-7750

check us out on

bondsautocare.net 402233

402419

2021 DARIEN CORNFEST

Help Support Darien Cornfest

Darien Cornfest will be serving our brats and butterfly chops

FULL RETAIL COUNTER OF FRESH MEATS AVAILABLE BY ORDER

Halves and Quarters of Beef • Halves of Pork or Lamb All cut, wrapped and freezer ready. Subject to cutting loss.

AWARD WINNING SAUSAGE LARGE VARIETY OF BRATS, HOT DOGS & MORE! REGISTER TO WIN A $25 GIFT BOX! BEEF, PORK AND LAMB RAISED AND PROCESSED LOCALLY

Hope to see you there!

Variety of Snack Sticks, 5 Kinds of Jerky, Landjaeger and Cheese Curds WISCONSIN CHEESE PIES Frozen Vegtables Nice Selection Frozen Fish Variety of Bison

N4290 US Hwy 14 Darien, WI 53114 262-724-5554 Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 8am-4pm

Sorg’s Gift Card

301 Industrial Dr., Clinton, WI • 608-676-4000 Mon.-Fri. 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. • Sat. by appt. only • Closed Sunday

Complete Auto ServiCe

Brakes-Mufflers-Electrical • Mechanical •Computer Control Systems Standard & Specialized Services to suit your needs

Specializing in

Tires

Serving you for over a decade!

402361

Page 7

Owners Don & Cheryl Rhode • alltechauto.mechanicnet.com

402345

Page 8

2021 DARIEN CORNFEST

Corny fun!

Darien’s Cornfest was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual event returns this year for it’s 60th run, featuring free sweet corn, entertainment, sporting competitions, tractor pulls, carnival, fireworks and more. Here’s a look back at the 2019 Cornfest celebration. clockwise from top: The tractor pulls are always a big draw during Cornfest; loading up the cooker are Samantha Shaefer (from left), Heather Ryan and Jessica Grabowski; the line is long for the free sweet corn, which is offered Saturday and Sunday during the festival and provided

by Birds Eye; and Cornfest features a co-ed volleyball tournament along with its softball, horseshoe and cornhole tournaments PHOTOS BY DAVE DRESDOW Cornfest

2021 DARIEN CORNFEST

clockwise from right: Festivalgoers wait in line for ice cream from a local shop; children perform on stage during the Nick’s Kids Show; Matt Phillips (from left), Lucas Schaefer and Olivia Kovacik, put corn on the conveyor belt, which is headed to the roasters; Mr. Bigg offers service with a smile; Jim Loibl bites into a fresh ear of sweet corn.

PHOTOS BY DAVE DRESDOW Cornfest

Page 9

2021 DARIEN CORNFEST

BIRDS EYE

• CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Birds Eye says its vegetables ripen in the field – not on the truck.

“We pick our vegetables at the height of nutritional value. Our farmers carefully select only the best, highestquality vegetables and they are flash frozen within hours to lock in that freshness. Birds Eye veggies are as nutritious when they hit your plate, as the day they were picked,” according to the website.

Responsible growing

Birds Eye supports farmers’ efforts with irrigation water conservation to reduce usage and enable reuse of postuse water, according to the website. The company also works together to treat only specific parts of their fields with

fertilization, avoiding unnecessary costs and potential environmental impact of spraying entire fields.

The website states, Birds Eye has invested in technology in the fields that enables it to communicate directly with the plants. This allows them to time harvesting with their production schedule, so that they pick the vegetables at peak ripeness and transport them directly to the plants that are ready to receive, wash and freeze them all within a few hours.

This process conserves water and energy, while locking in important nutrients and great taste, the websites states.

For more information about Birds Eye, visit www.birdseye.com.

Allen’s Grove Band • 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10

Toynton Sharon Funeral Home

402434

Serving All Faiths

Exceptional facilities with exceptional people make us the progressive leader in the open die forging industry.

Wisconsin & Illinois Funeral Service

WE’RE PROUD TO BE AN EMPLOYEE OWNED COMPANY.

WE ARE HIRING!

Gilbank

354081

105 Scot Drive, Clinton, WI 53525 608-676-2288 • www.scotforge.com

CONSTRUCTION, INC

General Contractor 301 Scot Drive Clinton, WI (608) 676 2261

Enjoy the Cornfest!

402474

210 Baldwin St. Sharon, WI 53585

On the Miller Lite Stage

Headlining at the Darien Cornfest for 2021 are the Allen’s Grove Band and Cherry Pie, which take the Miller Lite Stage at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, and Saturday, Sept. 11, respectively.

The Allens Grove Band is a southern Wisconsin classic rock band. The group members have more than 100 combined years of live performance experience and a unique approach to their songs, spanning

from the 1950s to today.

Cherry Pie is a family friendly festival band with more than 20 years of experience playing all of the biggest “Hair Band” hits and ballads of the 1980s, in addition to a few anthems from the 70s.

Cherry Pie prides itself on putting on the most “Over The Top” show by employing a top-tier sound, lighting and special effects crew.

Call 262-736-4333 or Walworth 262-275-2171

A B C

FIRE & SAFETY, INC.

2581 PARK AVENUE BELOIT, WI 53511 608-362-1634 SERVING YOU FOR OVER 50 YEARS 402131

Tri-County Dairy Supply

Saturday, Sept. 26th, 10 AM - 5 PM Sunday, Sept. 27th, 10 AM - 5 PM

- Feed & Play WithCherry The Alpacas Pie • 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11 - Say Hi To The Sheep, Chickens & Ducks!

- Learn Interesting Facts About Alpacas COME VISIT ALPACA PINES - Purchase Yarn, Socks, Hats, Raw FiberSept.

And 25 More!

Saturday, & Sunday, Sept. 26 • 10 AM - 5 PM Free Coloring Contest • Feed and play with the alpacas • Free coloring contest Fiber Mill Open For Tours • Fiber mill open for tours • -Say hi to the sheep, chickens and ducks!

• -Learn interesting facts about alpacas • Daily demonstrations Daily Demonstrations

!

• Purchase yarn, socks, hats, raw fiber and more!

• Sign up for Breath & Stretch via Eventbrite

Accepting Donations Of SAVE T Accepting donations wet dog Wet Dog & Cat of Food & and DEC. 1H1E DATE: cat food andLitter scoopable litter for CHRISTM & 12 Scoopable For PAWS AS THE FARM ON Boone Co. Animal Services We will follow social distancing We will follow social distancing Visitors must wear masks. guidelines.

Visitors must guidelines. wear masks.

• BULK TANKS • MILKERS • DAIRY SUPPLIES • HI PRESSURE WASHERS • RITCHIE WATERERS

24 HOUR REFRIGERATION SERVICE VENTLESS GAS SPACE HEATERS “For Service Call”

ALPACA PINES

4107 Hwy. 51 N, Janesville

(608) 757-2697

COME VISIT ALPACA PINES!

353714

21756 Beaverton BeavertonRoad, Rd., Poplar 21756 Poplar Grove Grove, IL • 815-292-3222

401776

Page 10

The environmental impact of shopping local 2021 DARIEN CORNFEST

Page 11

Shopping at locally owned businesses benefits everyone from local business owners to the people they employ to the communities where they operate.

As beneficial as shopping local can be for small business owners and the communities where they operate, the planet is perhaps the biggest beneficiary of consumers supporting locally owned small businesses.

The environmental impact of purchasing locally manufactured and sold products is significant. Consumers who choose to use their purchasing power to support local businesses may not realize just how much they’re helping the planet in so doing.

Reduces ‘food miles’

Shopping local reduces your “food miles.” Large grocery stores get much of their inventory from producers in other countries. Even stores that rely heavily on domestic producers may not limit their domestic partners to local farms.

That means products may be traveling thousands of miles before they end up on the shelves in local grocery stores. This is often referred to as “food miles,” and the more consumers can reduce their food miles, the more they help the planet.

The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions notes that transportation is the largest source of carbon emissions in the United States, so anything consumers can do to reduce the amount of fuel needed to get food from farm to table can greatly benefit the planet. Shopping local grocers who source their foods from local farms is a simple and effective way to help the planet.

Conserves fuel

Shopping local conserves fuel. Much like shopping local reduces reliance on producers who must travel thousands of miles to get their products on shelves in your community, it also reduces the time consumers spend in their vehicles. That

Shopping local pays numerous dividends, not the least of which are the many ways supporting local businesses benefits the environment.

STOCK PHOTO Cornfest

conserves fuel and helps to reduce air pollution. That’s an easily overlooked benefit of shopping local, but one that should not be taken for granted.

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, an estimated 150 million Americans are living in areas that do not meet federal air quality standards.

Emissions from automobiles are a major source of the pollution that’s behind poor

air quality, so anything consumers can do to reduce their fuel consumption, including shopping locally, can greatly benefit the planet.

Protects the land

Shopping local protects land from developers. Another way shopping local benefits the planet is its link to preserving local farms. When local grocers get their

foods from local farms, that increases the long-term sustainability of those farms. If farms are sustainable, they’re more likely to remain in operation. Farms don’t just grow foods, they also provide habitats for local wildlife that helps maintain local ecosystems. That domino effect begins with consumers who support local businesses by shopping local.

(METRO CREATIVE)

COMMON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PRACTICES The concept of sustainability varies by industry. Within the agricultural industry, sustainability is a multifaceted concept that has become increasingly popular in recent decades.

According to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, sustainable agriculture seeks to increase profitable farm income, promote environmental stewardship, enhance quality of life for farm families and communities, and increase production for human food and fiber needs. In an attempt to reach those goals, farmers who embrace sustainable agriculture may look to various practices.

Cover crops The Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit organization that aims to employ independent science to address the planet’s most pressing problems, notes that cover crops are planted during the offseason when soils have traditionally been left bare. Cover crops can help prevent soil erosion and replenish the nutrients in the

soil. Cover crops also can limit weed growth, reducing the need for herbicides that can prove harmful to the environment.

Reduce or eliminate tillage According to the UCS, traditional plowing, or tillage, can cause a significant amount of soil loss, even as it prepares fields for planting and reduces the likelihood of weed problems. Eliminating or reducing tillage involves inserting seeds directly into undisturbed soil, which can reduce erosion and improve the health of the soil.

Integrated pest management Integrated pest management techniques aim to minimize the use of chemical pesticides that can prove harmful to the environment and local wildlife. According to the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, IPM strategies like habitat manipulation and the planting of disease-resistant plants are designed to promote long-term prevention of pests and the damage

such pests can cause.

Agroforestry The Association for Temperate Agroforestry defines agroforestry as an intensive land management system that incorporates trees and/ or shrubs to optimize the benefits they provide when deliberately combined with crops and/or livestock. The shade and shelter provided by trees and shrubs can protect plants, animals and water resources.

Crop/livestock integration The UCS notes that there is growing evidence to suggest that the careful integration of crop and animal production can help farmers make their farms more efficient and profitable.

(METRO CREATIVE)

Sustainable agriculture is a complex concept that can benefit farmers, their local communities and the environment in myriad ways.

STOCK PHOTO Cornfest

Page 12

2021 DARIEN CORNFEST

60TH ANNUAL

DARIEN CORNFEST 3 BIG DAYS

September 10, 11 & 12 at Darien West Park

Featuring Delicious FREE Sweet Corn Saturday & Sunday 11AM - 3PM Donated by

BIRDS EYE

FRIDAY, SEPT 10

SATURDAY, SEPT 11

Allen’s Grove Band On the Miller Lite Stage 7PM-11PM

DDSAB Breakfast 7:30-10AM 32 Team Softball Tournament Merchandise & Crafts Carnival Rides Volleyball Tournament Darien Women’s Club Carmel Apple Delights 11-4PM Corn Hole Tournament Noon Bingo Jess Piano Noon-3PM Horseshoe Tournament Mini-Rod Tractor Pull 12:30PM Hammerschlagn Cherry Pie On The Miller Lite Stage 7PM-11PM

Co-Ed Softball

6PM M

Fireworks

9PM M

Hammerschlagn Carnival Rides

6PM-10PM

Carnival Wristband SPECIAL $25

Fri. 6pm-10pm Sat. noon-4pm & 5pm-9pm

SUNDAY, SEPT 12 Mens Softball Tournament Bingo Merchandise & Crafts Carnival Rides Darien Womens Club Carmel Apple Delights 11-6PM Horseshoe Tournament Liberty Bike Ride

11:15AM

HUGE Parade (Downtown Darien)

Noon

The Big Corn Shell-out 3PM Raffle Drawing

($1 each or 6 tickets for $5)

4PM

Food & Beverages all weekend

For More Information Go To DARIENCORNFEST.US

Sponsored by: Darien Crossed Iron Fire Fighters Association, Darien Community Club, Darien Cornfest Committee 402122