Wilfert Farms in Two Rivers, Wis. prides themselves on growing quality, fresh produce from family farms. The Wilfert family raises over 30 fresh produce crops from “asparagus to zucchini” along with corn and soybeans.
Ryan Wilfert is the sixth generation at Wilfert Farms. He farms alongside his parents with help from his four-year-old son, Vince. The Wilferts have pioneered the farm-to-table concept in their community with an on-farm store and pick-your-own opportunities for visitors.
“Basically, anything you can think of as far as vegetables and fresh fruits, we grow a lot of it,” shared Ryan.
Fresh market sweet corn is one of the main crops grown at Wilfert Farms. They grow 30 to 40 acres annually. Ryan begins planting sweet corn in May for early season sweet corn and plants the last sweet corn in July so it is available into the fall.
What is pollination?
While 35% of our fresh produce from family farms relies on pollinators like bees, hummingbirds and butterflies to produce fruit, sweet corn pollination is primarily wind-driven. Pollen falls from the top of the corn plant called the tassel and lands on the silks of the developing ear. Every kernel of corn has its own silk. Once it is pollinated, it will turn into a delicious, full ear of corn for us to enjoy.
When is sweet corn ripe?
Ryan’s best advice to determine when sweet corn is ready to be harvested and enjoyed is to watch the silks. When the silks turn dark brown, the corn is ready. Opening a cob and looking at it is the best way to tell if it is ready to eat.
Farmers can also estimate a harvest date based on when the sweet corn was planted. Sweet corn requires optimal growing temperatures throughout the summer measured in Growing Degree Days. The sweet corn Ryan planted in May is ready to harvest in early August.
Conservation Practices for Fresh Produce
Soil types vary across East Central Wisconsin, from heavy clay to sandy loam. The sandy soil in Manitowoc County where the Wilferts farm tends to be drier and requires more moisture. Irrigation has had a huge impact on water conservation at Wilfert Farms. The center pivot allows Ryan to be more precise and efficient in watering the crops.
Growing more than 30 fruits and vegetables in addition to field corn and soybeans allows the Wilferts flexibility to rotate crops to control weeds. The team at Wilferts will hand-weed and cultivate in addition to crop rotation to manage weed outbreaks.
“We try to do a good job of not having outbreaks of weeds that become a problem,” said Ryan.
Soil sampling is another conservation practice that helps Ryan manage the crops. Soil sampling helps them gauge what the crop needs so they can deliver the precise amount of nutrients for the plant to be successful.
Is fresh produce from family farms treated with pesticides?
While Wilfert Farms is not certified organic, they use crop protection tools to protect their crops and ensure quality produce for their customers. Using crop protection responsibly protects the safety of our food and the livelihood of our farmers.
“There are certainly good attributes of organic and conventional agriculture, and we incorporate some of that into everything that we do,” shared Ryan.
For example, Ryan uses fungicide to protect sweet corn from diseases that could affect the health and longevity of the plant. When a fungus damages the leaf of a corn plant, it restricts the plant’s ability to undergo photosynthesis, resulting in a lower quality ear of corn. Because Ryan and his family live on the same land where they apply pesticides, they trust those practices to keep both their crops and their family safe.
Where to find produce from Wilfert Farms
All of the produce at Wilfert Farms is hand-picked, hand-washed and hand-sorted and can be on your table within hours of leaving the field. Visit the Wilfert Farms website for updates on available fresh produce from family farms.
Wilfert Farms is featured as a part of Gather Wisconsin’s Leaders of the Land® segment, which features Wisconsin farmers moving agriculture forward through their commitment to sustainability.