Corn Belt’s old silos are vanishing after 150 years of shaping farms

For generations, towering concrete silos have been among the defining features of the American Corn Belt, standing beside red barns and sprawling fields as enduring symbols of rural life. But as modern farming practices evolve, many of these once-essential structures are disappearing from the landscape. According to a report by KCUR, National Public Radio in Kansas City, one woman has taken on the remarkable task of documenting nearly 200 silos built by her grandfather, preserving an important part of agricultural history before more of these structures disappear. Why silos became icons of the American Corn BeltDuring much of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, silos were very important structures in the farms dotting the Midwest region. These silos stored fermented forage, known as silage, which provided nutritious feed for livestock throughout the year.