PLAINFIELD -- Buzz can pick corn with the best of them.

The only problem is, his style eats away at profits. But can you blame him? Expecting a Percheron work horse to stand next to a row of corn and not take a taste, or two, is like asking kids to keep their hands out of the cookie jar - it's not going to happen.

To farmers Gary Laydon and Pat Mennenga, losing a few ears here and there is nothing compared to the overall savings by using the beasts of burden to plant and harvest a crop. By using horses to do a vast majority of the farm work -- they also use tractors to plow and run a corn picker -- the partners figure they spend less than half the money to grow crops compared to conventional farmers.

"He's pretty good at it," Laydon said while watching Buzz pluck off another ear.

Laydon and Mennenga hosted a Practical Farmers of Iowa Field Day at their rural Plainfield farm on Saturday, highlighting the perks of organic and fossil fuel-free farming. One of the day's festivities was an old fashion hand corn picking contest for humans.

Laydon attempted to keep Buzz, 8, and his 14-year-old sidekick, Leroy, at the task at hand -- pulling a wagon just on the edge of a corn row so people participating in the contest had an easy shot -- but it wasn't easy. Buzz couldn't help participating as well.

Normally the team is relegated to just hauling loads of ear corn back to the farm during harvest, not actually helping with the picking. The excitement was just too much as Buzz, who was closest to the corn, pawed at the ground and grabbed a few ears.

"He would rather be working. He doesn't know what he's doing," Laydon said.

The first contestants working with Buzz and Leroy shucked and chucked 125 pounds of corn in the wagon compared to Buzz's four or so ears, which ended up in the Percheron's belly. Buzz seemed quite content he lost that round.

While the contest was just for fun, it gave the two dozen or more people attending the field day a glimpse of what farming is like without large combines and tractors that could be seen traversing nearby fields and roads. Laydon and Mennenga aren't Amish, who exclusively use real horse power, they just choose to farm a different way than most. They use a combination of small motorized equipment and horses to get the job done.

By holding the field day, Practical Farmers wanted to show people that it's possible to farm 140 acres, like Laydon and Mennenga, and still be profitable. The operation consists of raising organic corn, hay, oats, sheep, marketing about 400 hogs a year to Niman Ranch -- a niche marketer of antibiotic-free and non-confinement raised pork -- free range chickens and turkeys, eggs and vegetables. They also raise, train and sell work horses to supplement their income.

"We just want people to know there's a variety of options out there," said Rick Exner, a Practical Farmers spokesperson.

Laydon and Mennenga realize farming the way they do isn't for everybody. It's labor intensive and hauling manure with horses in the winter doesn't provide the same creature comforts of a modern cab tractor with heat and an air-ride seat.

On the other hand, 1,000 acres and big equipment aren't needed to make a living, the partners said, which can be cost prohibitive for a young farmer starting out.

Mennenga said farming with horses is also a lifestyle choice. She grew up with horses, her father started out farming with them and that's how she wanted to do it.

"It's the quietness and serenity of horses. Farming this way just seems more rewarding," Mennenga said. "Tractors are loud and smelly."

For Laydon and Mennenga, the rewards are plentiful. They believe they're helping the environment by not using man made chemicals, saving energy and providing wholesome food for the community. And, they're making money doing it.

Organic corn and soybean yields are often lower than conventional counterparts, but higher prices often more than make up for it. Farmers attending the field day said organic soybeans and corn can fetch up to $24 per bushel and $7 per bushel, respectively.

As long as Buzz and his appetite doesn't get near the corn too much, Laydon is looking forward to a good harvest. Most of the corn still needs to be picked.

"I was shooting for 100 (bushels per acre). If I sold that at a decent price I would be happy," Laydon said. "I think I'll surpass that."

Contact Matthew Wilde at (319) 291-1579 or matt.wilde@wcfcourier.com.