Russ remembered three-quarters of an acre behind our machine shed that hadn’t been planted in years. We had an old tractor, a pickup truck, and enough determination to try. In early May, all four of us planted our first sweet corn crop by hand. Wyatt researched different varieties and chose Ambrosia bicolor because it was supposed to be especially sweet. Josie helped weed every evening and even talked to the growing plants.
By July, the corn was tall and ready. Russ made a cardboard sign reading SWEET CORN, with the children’s names underneath: Wyatt and Josie Haskell, Growers. Rather than compete with Grandma’s highway stand, we chose a location beside the volunteer fire station in downtown Belmond. At six-thirty on opening morning, Chief Delaney came outside, admired our sign, and became our first customer. He handed six dollars directly to Josie and carried his corn inside, displaying it on the fire engine.
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