A mild winter has allowed sweet corn planting to already have taken place at Dan-D Farms.

The sweet corn farm south of Knoxville officially got started planting their famous corn this past week, which is several weeks ahead of schedule. Owners Dan Dennison and Debra Kearney say they have never been able to plant corn in February before, but they decided to take a leap of faith this year due to their impatience getting the best of them. Even though they say it is a gamble against mother nature and the odds tell them it is a little too soon, they are hoping for a successful harvest from their earliest ever sweet corn plants. 

“I think the earliest dad has planted was March 20th in the past. Some years that has worked but most of the years not. We’re not overly optimistic about having a sweet corn crop off of our February planting, but as a farmer you are kind of always optimistic and have to put a little faith in it. It would be a good story if it grows something, but it was fun to give it a try anyway.”

Hear more from Debra Kearney and Dan Dennison on an upcoming Let’s Talk Knoxville.