WINDOM - Dalton Piotter’s corn stalk was 11 feet tall. Molly Piotter’s was just a nick shy of that.
The two Jeffers cousins took home grand champion and reserve champion for the tallest corn stalk, respectively, this week at the Cottonwood County Fair. The contest was part of a pilot 4-H agronomy program, offered for the first time this year in just five Minnesota counties.
“It’s awesome to have stuff for people to look at (during the fair) that promotes ag,” Molly said about the contest that teaches participants that a corn stalk means more to farmers than it may appear.
Made possible by support from local agriculture-based businesses, Cottonwood County was able to update its 4-H premium book this year to offer a variety of new options, including an herb garden, root viewer and growing corn in a five-gallon bucket. The tallest stalk of corn and largest vegetable were also fun additions as part of the new project offerings. Other counties participating in the pilot program were Lyon, Renville, Stevens and Swift.
“We’ve been trying to get youth more interested in plant and soil sciences and agronomy,” said Cottonwood County 4-H Program Coordinator Crystal Reith of why the county was eager to participate. “We tried to show kids that they don’t need a large garden or area to grow produce.”
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Reith said kits were available for families to participate, while Cloverbuds did a project together.
She said it was time that 4-H expand its programming to reflect the needs and lifestyle of the area, particularly in southwest Minnesota.
“Before (this year’s pilot program), we had a jar of corn or a jar of soybeans (as project options),” she said. “In southwest Minnesota, we have a lot of crop farmers, and there’s a big demand for agronomists in the area. We need to connect youth with higher education and job opportunities and show them what’s really out there.”
As for the Piotter cousins, it wasn’t a huge surprise the two 17-year-olds took home grand champion and reserve. The variables between the cousins’ field corn selections would have been minimal, as their fathers farm an approximately 15-mile radius around the Jeffers area together. Kendall Piotter is Molly’s dad; Marlin Piotter is Dalton’s.
The two half-heartedly joked as they inferred why Dalton’s stalk beat Molly’s for the grand champion slot. Ultimately, Dalton’s did appear bigger, although Molly says that’s because he has added dirt to the bottom of his five-gallon bucket while hers sits in water.
The purpose of the tallest corn contest was not to determine whose corn was better (and - as Molly pointed out - a grower doesn’t care to have their field corn that tall, as everything beyond supporting the ears is waste unless it’s chopped to silage). The contest, however, provided an opportunity to pique interest in learning about corn qualities and characteristics, from population to maturity date.
Having considered the pilot agronomy program a success, Reith plans to make any necessary updates to the premium book with the idea of unveiling it for all Minnesota counties next year.
She said she’s glad 4-H is taking a step toward new areas and encouraging youths to get involved.
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“Kids have had a lot of interest and excitement,” she said. “I hope they continue to work with it in the future and bring more back (to the fair).”
The Cottonwood County Fair continues today through Saturday. Visit the fair’s website to view a schedule of events.
