Michigan’s winters can be fierce when the snow falls and the wind blows across the open farm fields. Sometimes an Amish farmer will cut a whole field of corn late in the season, when the corn still contains too much moisture to store in a corn crib. He then ties a dozen or more stalks together with cord, and leaves them in the field to dry. Sometimes they are there most of the winter before the corn is brought back to the barn to feed domestic animals.

The corn shocks fan out at the base, making them stable even against a howling wind, as in this photograph. They are incredibly picturesque, and part of the charm is in knowing that the work to create this utilitarian beauty is done by hand.

SIZE: This photograph is printed at an approximate final size of a bit over 6x6,” and is printed on cotton rag photographic paper using pigmented inks for an estimated 400-year display life.

LIMITED EDITION: This photographic print is part of a limited edition produced by photographer Lee Rentz. The edition consists of 250 prints, which includes all sizes and methods of printing.