National Contest Rules
National Corn Husking Contest Rules - 2000
These rules were originally established by the National Rules Committee in April, 1980, at Omaha, Nebraska, and were used
in the 1980 National, held at Oakley, Kansas. Minor changes were made at a later meeting of the Committee in October,
1980, and are incorporated in this official statement, as well as all changes up to 1999. The following rules will apply for the
2000 National Contest.
Object - The object of this contest will be to determine the contestant who can husk into the wagon the largest amount of ear
corn, and who shall, at the same time husk all the ears on the land covered. Such corn, when husked, shall be reasonably
free from husks (ribbons). Refer to the standards below.
Starting & Stopping - Every effort will be made to see that the quality and character of the corn, and other conditions for
husking, are as uniform as possible. Contestants will be in position, ready to husk, when the time begins. One minute before
the start of the contest, a warning gun or other signal will be fired (sounded) so that all may get ready. One minute later, the
starting signal will be sounded to start the contest. Following the allotted time for the contest, either a shot or some other
signal will. be given to end the contest. All huskers must stop immediately when this signal is given. All corn which has
left the hands at the time of the stop will be considered husked.
Gleaners - One Gleaner and one Judge equipped with sacks shall follow each husker to pick up all the ears of corn which are
left behind or ears that miss the wagon. Each husker is expected to pick all ears from stalks growing from the assigned row,
even though they may lean over into the other rows. Any ears on the ground, from the middle row to the middle of the next
row, will be picked up by the gleaners. Ears which miss the wagon on the throw or are thrown over the wagon will be picked
up by the gleaners. (Exception - no gleaning on the turn.) No Husking on the end of the row as you cross over to your other
row, however, if the husker gets across, and the wagon is not yet them, he can husk ears on the ground with no penalty until
the wagon catches up. All corn shall be gleaned. Marketable corn shall be decided by committee at the scale site. The judges
shall carry stop watches and act as timers.
Deductions - For every pound of Gleanings, three pounds of corn will be deducted from the total weight of the com husked by
the contestant. If any ears miss the wagon when thrown, the husker has the option to pick up the ears or continue husking.
Cleanness of husking will be computed as follows, and only husks attached to the ear will be counted.
National Corn Husking Contest Rules - 2000
a.) A 30 pound sample will be taken from the total corn husked in the 30 minute class. In 10 and 20 minute classes a 20
pound sample, instead of a 30 pound sample, will be taken from the total corn husked.
b.) In the 30 minute class, 1-1/2 ounce of husks from the 30 pound sample will be allowed without any deductions. In the 10
and 20 minute classes, 1 ounce of husks from the 20 pound sample will be allowed without any deductions.
c.) In the 30 minute class, deductions from husks weighing more than 1-1/2 ounces and up to and including 2-1/2 ounces, will
be 1% of the total amount husked for every 1/4 ounce. 3% will be deducted for every 1/4 ounce over 2 ounces in the 10
and 20 minute classes.
d.) In the 10 and 20 minute classes deductions for husks weighing more than I ounce and up to and including 2 ounces will be
1% of the total amount husked for every 1/4 ounce. 3% will be deducted for every 1/4 ounce over 2 ounces in the 10 and
20 minute classes.
e.) If the scales break in 1/2 ounce increments instead of 1/4 ounce increments, deductions will be 2% for each 1/2 ounce
between 1 and 2 ounces and 6% for each 1/2 ounce over 2 ounces.
The husker will be permitted to watch the weighing of the corn the gleanings, and the husks, and the taking of the 30 or 20
pound sample. One judge will supervise scooping off the load. This judge will be asked for random scoops to be used for the
30 to 20 pound sample. These scoops will be collected in a sack, then placed on the scale. Excess or overweight corn will be
removed by reaching into the sack and removing ears until the weight is 30 pounds. (20 pounds in the 10 and 20 minute
classes.)
Other Rules - It is suggested that the length of the row be such that one turn is possible during the contest. This will eliminate
husking the return row each time. Huskers will have one opportunity and one score. The draw for lands will determine the
order of husking.
Thirty inch rows are suggested with a shorter variety of com. Wagon height shall be 62 to 66 Inches with a 4 foot bang board
above the wagon bed. A fence should be erected around the weigh-in area for safety of spectators. Spectators are expected
to remain behind the wagon during the contest and not to interfere with the contest. Each state will use their own judgment
concerning these suggestions, as local conditions will dictate necessary changes.
Time Out - will be allowed for any reason that is beyond the control of the husker and not the fault of the husker, such as a
broken wagon or trouble with the team of horses. In the case of a time out, the judge shall allow for the same amount of time
after the stop signal has been given. No time o
ut will be allowed for accidents to the contestant's own personal equipment.
Each contestant should carefully inspect his equipment prior to the start of the contest. Any request for change should be
made before the contest is started.
Classes for the National Com Husking Contest
The huskers may be selected in any manner agreeable to the state. A state contest, when possible, is strongly recommended.
The National Contest will be 30 minutes in length for Men's Open class. State contests may remain 20 minutes in length.
Women's contests will be 20 minutes in length, all other classes will be 10 minutes in length. Any state may host the National
Contest, provided that state has held two state contests. That bid will be for the contest to be held two years or later.
If at all possible, a practice field should be available for each husker to have live minutes warm up on the day of the contest.
Only one person will husk at a time, unless the Rules Committee Officials decree otherwise.
A Champion can not automatically return the following year to defend His/Her title. He/She must first have qualified in their
state contest in their category. This motion was carried unanimously by the membership.
Starting in 1988, you may only compete in one Husking class each year provided that you have qualified in your state that
year. You are required to declare what class you will be husking in when you register at the National.
At the 2000 NATIONALS and there after you will be able to yo-yo between classes from year to year, but whatever class you
husk in your state that is the class you husk in at the Nationals.
Qualifying in Another State - If a state must withdraw from holding a contest, such as happened in Indiana in 1987, the
Contestants of that state need to qualify in another state's contest. They will not compete against contestants from the host
state, nor be eligible for that state's prizes. Their tallies will be kept separate and those who place highest in each
Nationally-recognized class for their state will have their scores sent by the host state chairman to the National committee.
Those will be the contestants that will be entitled to enter the National and compete for their own state. No one will be eligble
who simply appears at the National from a state which had to cancel their state contest. the determination of who will be the
host state will be made at the time of need by the Rules Committe.
The National Com Huskers Association has no Jurisdiction over state contests and how many or which types of classes a
state chooses to have. However, without dampening the home-grown spirit of these contests, the NCHA, none the less,
recommends that the state follow the pattern of the National classes. This should avoid confusion over a state winner having
no National class in which to enter. State winners who enter National Classes must abide by the rules of the NCHA regardless
of how that class was conducted in their own state.
husk-deductions-chart.pdf