Cow Dung Takes Flight

 

You absolutely have to check this site. I mean it.

 

Well, it is that time of the year: Chatham Jaycees Annual Sweet Corn and Cow Chipping Festival in Illinois.

Small communities like Chatham are gems. Generations gather to renew friendships and celebrate history.  While there are competitions of all sorts, nothing, but nothing, is as intense and delightful as the Cow Chipping Contest.

The whole process is fairly simple. From their cow pastures, farmers select dried cow pies of the correct size, using a toilet seat as the measuring standard. The pies are then donated to the Jaycees where they are kept in a secure place. I am not kidding.

(There have been some accusations about sabotage; pies have been embedded with pellets or such in the past.  So, security is provided. Yes, it is.) 

Future chippers--not afraid to get their hands dirty

"This event will take place on July 21-23 at the Chatham sports field. Any attendees wishing to participate in the cow chipping throw should attend when the event is announced.  Experience is not necessary. All should understand that participation may result in pungent particulates adhering to hands and clothing."

This is a quote from 2019 flyers.

Competition is serious business.

Beaver, OK, where cows outnumber people, 16-1

This is an international sport. Visitors travel to participate in this event.

Pinterest.com

 When I was there a few years ago, the Jaycees had an emergency: the farmer who provided cow pies in the past had sold half his herd.  My brother Rev. Don Peck and his son Jeremy (president of the Chatham Jaycees) contacted other locals. They know everyone in the community, and within 15 minutes all was resolved.

Community.

This was published 2019 originally. I just was notified that the Chatham Sweet Corn festival is next week. Can't show off my chipping skills.  Oh, I brought home a heavily shellacked patty and put it by the roses. Over the 4 years, it has wasted away.

 

Experiencing Cow Chip Toss First Hand

Identifying a freshly dumped pattie

Chatham Cow Chipping Competition was long over when I visited my brother at his town of Chatham.  As I promised, here are some times that I enjoyed and shared with my brother Don. Do not expect any great thoughts.

You cannot make any of this up. Good times were had by all.

I was active in finding and scooping up the patty.

Notice that the patty is the size of a toilet seat.

Checking product for correct dry and texture
Considering aerodynamic and wind direction.

Disappointment at the failed toss. It went about
7 to 9 feet. Oh, well. Next year.

The patty now lies in my yard. It will disintegrate
in time.  

 My brother Don contacted his friend Gene, who cleared the field of cows for our adventure. The field was loaded with products. We had much product from which to choose.

Don spent a lot of time on farms over his 72

years. He is so much fun to share our

stories and memories.

He also possesses so much knowledge about

livestock and farm life.