‘It’s hard work’: Nebraska’s corn detasseling tradition is quietly fading
For years, the number of Nebraska kids signing up for this summer rite of passage has steadily shrunk as teen appeal of farm jobs dwindles.
Mckinley Segelke of Minden pulls a tassel from a "female" cornstalk to ensure it won't pollinate itself. Fields growing seed corn are laid out with a "male" row - with desired pollination genetics - and four female rows. Machine cutting removes 90-95% of unwanted "female" tassels, but the rest must be removed by hand. Photo by Lori Potter/Flatwater Free Press