My grandfather's first cornpicker, a Case Snapper. It was pulled by a steel-wheeled tractor (circa 1940s)

Once the bins were full, corn was stored in outdoor corn cribs. "We ground the corn for the cattle almost every day during the winter," - Grandpa Sample

One of the early methods of harvesting hay - chopping

The chopped hay was stored (as above). This method didn't last long, however. Farmers found that the method lead to spontaneous combustion.

The new method: Baling Hay. My grandmother drove the tractor while my grandfather and his brother loaded and stacked the bales.

A tractor and harrow (circa 1950s). The harrow was used to smooth and level the soil, but is no longer utilized because it also led to erosion.

Harvesting with a modern combine. (1980s)

Once corn is harvested, it is loaded into grain bins with an auger and stored until it is sold.

Moving large round bales of hay (1980s).

Loading small square bales onto an elevator to store in the hay loft of the barn. (1990s)

Planting with a 24-row planter, 2003.

My father, Ken, harvests corn in a modern combine. On his right is a GPS system that records bushels per acre, allowing him to generate yield maps.

Corn kernals pour into the combine's holding bin.

A modern combine from the outside, with capacity to harvest 8 rows at a time.