Savor Wisconsin’s flavorful farm-fresh sweet corn this summer

Along the country roads of Wisconsin, a sweet summer vegetable grows tall in the fields yielding a bountiful crop of fresh sweet corn. This staple crop of summer is now appearing in farmer’s markets, grocery stores and roadside stands across our state – ready to bring home to your family, friends and neighbors. For your next outdoor gathering or dinner enjoy the high-quality, juicy taste of farm-fresh sweet corn.W

ith sweet corn harvest in full swing, now is the perfect time for all of us to indulge in sweet corn and savor the many benefits this vegetable brings to Wisconsin’s $59 billion agriculture industry, the economy and health of every Wisconsinite.

The sweet corn harvest for fresh market consumption last year produced 30,000 tons of sweet corn from 7,000 acres generating an economic impact of nearly $16 million.

Wisconsin ranks 12th in the nation for growing sweet corn for fresh market and 2nd in the nation for growing sweet corn for processing. Wisconsin producers grow sweet corn that is processed into frozen or canned sweet corn to preserve flavor and nutrients and then sold throughout the United States on grocery store shelves. These vegetable processing facilities create jobs in our local communities, local markets for producers and fresh, high-quality, local products for consumers. The sweet corn you eat makes its way from farm to your fork quicker and is fresher when choosing sweet corn grown by a Wisconsin producer. When buying Wisconsin sweet corn from local farmers markets and grocery stores, we are helping to keep Wisconsin agriculture strong and growing.

To learn about sweet corn and a full line of farm fresh vegetables and fruits grown in Wisconsin, I recently toured Flyte Family Farms in Coloma, Wis. Owned and operated by Lee and Cheryl Flyte since 1974, Flyte Farms began with a few acres of vegetables and now raises more than 125 acres of sweet corn. The work is done with the help of their family, including three children who are all involved in every aspect of the operation from planting in mid-April all the way to harvest beginning in mid-July and ending early September.

Sweet corn breeding is now being selected for varieties that are high in the sugar that makes them sweet. The “supersweet” varieties available today convert their sugar to starch more slowly than the older supersweet varieties and the “sugary enhancer” varieties. Super-sweet corn can be yellow, white, or bicolored.

Just like any businesses embraces technology as a benefit to consumers in order to produce a safe, highquality product, the Flytes’ are experimenting with growing sweet corn under plastic for optimum germination to grow better ears of sweet corn.

In addition to sweet corn, the Flytes’ grow 40 acres of fruit and vegetables that includes an array of organic and conventional produce such as blueberries, beets, edible beans, eggplant, English cucumbers, green beans, muskmelons, onions, peppers, popcorn, pumpkins, strawberries, sweet potatoes, greenhouse tomatoes, squash, watermelon and zucchini. Among their newest ventures is hydroponic tomato and cucumber production. These diversifications and new additions have helped the farm grow to five greenhouses and expanded their sale season because they have product to sell already in April.

The operation also employs seasonal help to harvest sweet corn between mid-July and early September. The crop harvest requires a dozen high-school- and college-age employees just for the Flyte’s 125 acres. Quality fruits and vegetables are brought to markets fresh daily as the season allows. They hand pick and grow what they sell. The farm distributes their products that are operated by local senior citizens in central Wisconsin communities from Mauston, Portage, to Coloma as well as the Dane County Farmers’ Market on the Square. In addition, during sweet corn season – mid-July to early September – the Flytes have their sweet corn in community grocery stores throughout our state.

Buying from Wisconsin fruit and vegetable growers, like Flyte Family Farms, supports local farmers, communities and economies while providing consumers with fresh local products from blueberries to sweet corn that can be savored by your family.

When buying sweet corn this summer, here are a few tips to consider. You should shop early in the day to get the freshest sweet corn available. Look for corn with husks that are bright green and have well-filled ears with plump kernels. The kernels at the tip of the ear should be smaller than the rest – large kernels indicate corn that is overly mature. Did you know one ear of corn has about 600 kernels! Sweet corn should be refrigerated immediately and eaten soon after purchase for best taste and quality.

Not only is sweet corn good for Wisconsin’s economy but it is good for you. This yellow vegetable supplies carbohydrates for energy, potassium to help muscles contract, and fiber to keep you satisfied.

Sweet corn is great tasting, healthy, affordable and makes a difference in our lifestyle. Bring fresh Wisconsin sweet corn home for your family. For cooking tips and where to find fresh Wisconsin sweet corn in your area, visit www.savorwisconsin.com today.

Alice in Dairyland, Christine (Lepple) Lindner, is Wisconsin’s agriculture ambassador. She travels over 40,000 miles each year to spread the word about our agriculture industry.

Alice in Dairyland can be reached by writing to Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), 2811 Agriculture Drive, PO Box 8911, Madison, WI 53718.

You can schedule Alice for an upcoming event by contacting the Alice in Dairyland Program at (608) 224.5080 or by e-mail at DATCPAlice@ wisconsin.gov. To learn more about Wisconsin’s $59 billion agricultural industry visit her travel blog at http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/alice/ or become a friend on facebook (Alice Dairyland), follow on twitter (Alice_Dairyland) or LindkedIn (Alice in Dairyland).