Sweet Corn

Sweet corn is one of the universal tastes of the summer season.

- by Hope Ellis-Ashburn

Whether you're raising it in your garden to feed your family, generate additional income or as a thank you to landlords or helpful neighbors, sweet corn is more than just a tasty treat. Advantages aside, there is more to raising sweet corn than meets the eye, or in this case, ear. Choosing the best variety to meet your needs along with consumer education play important roles.

Family Tradition

Andy and Jenna LaFevor have been raising sweet corn on their family's Tennessee Century Farm in the southern tip of Bledsoe County for the past five years, a tradition passed down to them by Jenna's uncle, Lynn Johnson. Lynn and his wife, Sherry, first started raising sweet corn to sell for contributions to their daughter Elle's future college fund. When she was old enough to help, Elle began to take part, too. Today, the LaFevors carry on the tradition with their daughter, Landry.

While no longer plentiful, family farms dating back multiple generations still populate the scenic valley that I call home. From my farm, it's easy to think of a member of our farming community whose unique expertise lends itself well to the column topics I seek to cover. In each issue, I'll spotlight farming operations whose practices aren't only applicable across the country but that you can take and make use of for your own farm.

- Hope Ellis-Ashburn

Charlie Barker, of Dunlap, Tennessee, has raised sweet corn for decades and, much like the LaFevors, chose to do so for "kid money." With help from an extension vegetable specialist and a seed company representative, these Sequatchie Valley farmers offered their advice on selecting the best variety to meet your needs.

Choosing a Variety