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Explore the Timeless Journey of Wheat Harvesting at Ardenwood Historic Wheat Harvest Days July 13, 20, and 27

July 3, 2025
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Wheat being harvested at Ardenwood

Around the world, summer marks a time of abundance, as many crops are ready to be harvested. During the warm months of June and July in the Northern Hemisphere, farmers are busy harvesting seasonal crops like tomatoes, peppers, and, most important, wheat. Wheat is one of the most widely grown grains in the world, and it holds a significant place in human history as one of the first plants domesticated by humans.

Today, wheat, primarily in the form of flour, is a key ingredient in countless foods, from bread and noodles, to tortillas and pastries. To transform wheat from a field of grass into flour involves several steps. First, farmers must thresh (rub, beat, or strip) the wheat to remove the seeds (known as wheat berries) from the stalks. Then, the wheat berries are winnowed (have air blown through them) to separate the usable part from its outer layer called chaff. Lastly, the wheat berries are ground into flour. This method of wheat processing was developed nearly 10,000 years ago in an ancient region called the Fertile Crescent, a crescent-shaped region in the Middle East spanning multiple modern-day countries. While the basic principles have remained the same, the tools and technologies used in this process have evolved.

Farmers developed machines to aid in this process, and in the 1830s the combine harvester was invented, streamlining the entire process. The combine harvester not only cuts the wheat, but also threshes and winnows the grain in one efficient operation. 

Historic Wheat Harvest Days

Discover the wonders of wheat at Ardenwood Historic Farm on July 13, 20, and 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during Historic Wheat Harvest Days and learn about the fascinating history of cultivation, explore the advancements in harvesting techniques, and discover how this ancient grain continues to shape today’s food systems. Visitors will have a chance to see a 1930s threshing machine in action and try out their hands at threshing, winnowing, and grinding wheat berries. Park admission fees apply.