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CLEAR Temp: 90 °F Wind: NW at 10 mph Friday, August 29, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend August 11, 2003 On the cob or cut and canned, the local crop of fresh corn is a popular attraction at roadside markets like Seven Oaks Farms in Central Point. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell A local CORN-ucopia Consumers reap the benefits of the Rogue Valley corn crop as growers sell in the area to save costs By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Some ears will be roasted in their husks, while others prefer to slice and dice up the kernels for canning and creative recipes. But the majority of fresh, local corn this season will be served up piping hot on the cob, dripping with butter and sprinkled with salt. "We just boil it right up," said Kenny Ryland of Medford as he foraged for the plumpest specimens alongside half a dozen customers at Seven Oaks Farms on a recent morning. "That’s the best way." Five-year-old Kyle Brice of Central Point, whose mother Mindy stopped by the Central Point farm to select a few ears for that night’s dinner, agreed with Ryland. Advertisement "You’ve gotsta, gotsta have lots of butter," said Brice. "That’s what makes corn really yummy." Although it arrived more than a week late because of a rainy spring, corn season is well under way in Southern Oregon. Rogue Valley growers say competition is too fierce and profit margins too low to turn their corn crops into a commercial venture. Instead, the majority of local corn is sold cheap at small stands and open air markets, or wholesale to grocers such as Sherms Thunderbird Markets Inc. or Shop ‘N’ Kart. Although corn season usually lasts until the weather cools — typically mid-September — customers with a craving for the kernel aren’t wasting any time. "They have fresh, good, delicious, wonderful corn," said Grants Pass resident Marty Meister, a regular customer who made the trip to Central Point to pick up a dozen ears of corn. "This is so much better; it’s so much sweeter." Many residents buy farm-fresh produce to support local growers, but others say they venture off because the taste of home-grown corn can’t be beaten. "There’s no comparison," said Eagle Point resident Linda Miller. "Produce at grocery stores is worse than generic." Lori Nefford said this season her family planted more than 40 acres of corn at Seven Oaks. Although the farm offers a wide variety of fresh produce, flowers and homemade goods, it’s become famous for its corn, sold for a quarter an ear. "The corn’s primarily what we’re know for," said Nefford. "Everybody seems to love it." Some open-air markets, such as Fox Run Farms near Jacksonville, don’t grow their own corn. Instead, owner Duane Goodman said small farms like his purchase corn from other local farms and resell the product. "Corn is a huge seller up to September, when people start to get tired of it." said Goodman. "Everybody wants the local corn." But not all local growers are happy with their crop this season. "It’s not moving as fast as we would like to see," said Ken Beebe of Beebe Farms in Central Point, who only planted eight acres of corn this season. Although corn has always been a popular seller at his farm, Beebe said he’ll gradually phase out his seed crops in favor of peaches thanks to rising production costs and local competition. "There’s just not a lot of money in corn," he said. "It’s just gotten expensive to grow." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times