Knee-high by the 4th of July? Why local farmers are glad that s not true
On farms out in Mercer County, corn crops are already taller than most people, despite an extreme-weather-filled June. Author: Shelby Kluver (WQAD) Updated: 11:09 PM CDT July 5, 2021
VIOLA, Ill. Whether you grew up on a farm or not, you might have heard of the old phrase, Knee-high by the 4th of July in reference to corn. It implies corn should be at least up to a person s knee by the time America s Independence Day rolls around, but local farmers say they re way past that - something that s a relief after June s extreme weather, but also not a huge surprise.