In the Delmarva region, Vincent Farms, under the leadership of COO Ray Vincent, has initiated its sweet corn harvest. The farm dedicates approximately 1,000 acres to cultivating sweet corn, with a distribution of 30 percent white corn and 70 percent bi-color corn. Regional preferences dictate these proportions, with white corn favored in Virginia and North Carolina, and bi-color corn preferred from Baltimore to Boston. To maintain genetic purity, the farm segregates the fields of white and bi-color corn to prevent cross-pollination.
Each season, Vincent Farms undertakes 13 plantings of sweet corn, starting at the end of March or early April, with harvests commencing around June 20 and concluding in early October. Post-harvest, the corn is hydro-cooled in a state-of-the-art facility to swiftly remove field heat and preserve its freshness, typically achieving refrigeration within two hours of picking. The farm's distribution network includes distributors, food service providers, wholesale markets, and farmers markets.
Ray Vincent began with the Silver Queen variety before transitioning to a new variety that offered ease of picking, extended shelf life, and enhanced sweetness. Approximately 20 years ago, bi-color sweet corn was added to the farm's production. In addition to sweet corn, Vincent Farms also produces cantaloupes, peppers, pumpkins, tomatoes, and watermelons, operating as a family-owned enterprise in Sussex County with a legacy spanning four generations. The farm's commitment to agriculture and community support was recognized by the State of Delaware with the Secretary's Award for Distinguished Service to Delaware Agriculture in 2021.
Source: americanfarm.com