A Tale of Detasseling in DeKalb County in 1968: $1.25 an Hour Pay

From the July 25, 2018, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1968, 50 Years Ago.

"A sort of 'children's crusade' will hit the cornfields in DeKalb County the next three weeks as the DeKalb Agricultural Association begins its annual summer corn detasseling campaign.

"The operation employs about 1,00 youngsters age14 and older.  With its 26 plants throughout the nation, the DeKalb Agricultural Association is probably the largest employer of children in the country.

"The youngsters get $1.25 an hour to pass up and down the rows of corn and pull the tassel off selected corn.  Close to 9,000 acres are involved in Waterman and Esmond."

Hot, Hard Work for $1.25.  But a McDonald's Hamburger Cost 15 Cents.  --Cooter