Kaestner Family at their Century Farm near Luzerne in Benton County, Iowa, August 8, 2016

Image shows a farming family gathered around their corn field. They are in the grass and the father is kneeling while the family looks at a corn stalk he is holding. The corn is quite high, taller than anyone in the family.

Courtesy of Library of Congress, Highsmith, Carol M., "The Kaestner family gathers on their Century Farm near Luzerne in Benton County, Iowa," 8 August 2016

Description

This photograph by Carol Highsmith shows the Kaestner family at their Century Farm near Luzerne in Benton County. Their farm, located in eastern Iowa and dates back to 1915, now grows prize corn and soybeans and includes a thriving seed business.

Source-Dependent Questions

This farm has been in the Kaestner family for a 100 years or more, which is known as a Century Farm. Why would families hand down farmland from generation to generation? What does that indicate about farming?
Look at the signs in the photo near the corn: Wyfells Hybrids W7456 RIB. Hybrids are created by cross-pollinating two different, but related plants. Refer to the GMOs Are Safe article. How do hybrids and GMO compare? Which would you prefer to eat and why?

Citation Information

Highsmith, Carol M., "The Kaestner family gathers on their Century Farm near Luzerne in Benton County, Iowa," 8 August 2016. Courtesy of Library of Congress