The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau says yes- we have had wet weather- but despite those conditions, residents should still be able to get that Pennsylvania-grown sweet corn.
An informal survey conducted by the bureau found that many farmer-owned markets that typically carry locally-grown corn on the cob will have it available for the 4th. Many consider it a staple to their Independence Day meal.
Bureau President Rick Ebert says it was anticipated that record rainfall across the state would have put more of a damper on sweet corn production but the bureau was happy to learn the crop is in better shape than expected.
“We were pleasantly surprised to learn that many farmers will have sweet corn available to sell to consumers to include as part of their Fourth of July picnics. We anticipated that record rainfall across the state this year would have put more of a damper on sweet corn production and were happy to learn that the crop is in better shape than expected,” Ebert said.
Nine out of the 10 farms contacted by PFB indicated that they will have locally-grown sweet corn available. The farmer, who revealed he would not have sweet corn ready until July 15, said he planted the corn on time, but it didn’t grow fast enough due to too much rain in combination with a lack of sunlight and heat.
“Some farmers say they grew corn in raised beds with plastic or under cloth in order to control moisture and trap heat to encourage plant growth,” added Ebert.
PFB specifically heard from farmers in Adams, Allegheny, Butler, Centre, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lehigh and York counties.
The Farm Bureau noted that some farm markets and roadside stands in Pennsylvania typically do not have locally-grown sweet corn available until at least the middle of July (especially farms located north of Interstate 80), but they may have corn available to sell from other parts of the Commonwealth or a southern state.
“We are encouraging consumers to visit farm markets and roadside stands in their communities to access fresh food and to engage in conversations with farmers about how they raise food from the fields to the market,” concluded Ebert.
The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is the state’s largest farming organization, representing farms of every size and commodity across Pennsylvania.
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