Mississippi officials and growers celebrate Mirai sweet corn
Mississippi officials and growers celebrate Mirai sweet corn
Lester Spell, Mississippi commissioner of agriculture, led state officials in celebrating the success of the introduction of Mirai corn, along with conventional sweet corn, to the state's Delta region with a field and shed cooler tour, tasting and ribbon-cutting ceremony in late July at the operations of Delta Harvest LLC in Indianola, MS.
Historically, Mississippi's main exports have been cotton, catfish and lumber. Diversification of the agricultural economy is a priority in the state, and in only its second year, the Mirai corn produced by Delta Harvest has done surprisingly well, with 400,000 cases of Mirai and conventional sweet corn expected to be shipped this season.
Although historically sweet corn has not been a significant commodity in the region, Mississippi agricultural experts have noted that the soil and climate conditions are extremely conducive to sweet corn.
The success of the program has created a lot of excitement in Mississippi about sweet corn and the introduction of other new commodities, such as leafy greens, cabbage, cantaloupes and personal-sized watermelons. The state leadership wanted to tour the facility to see for themselves the promise that new produce commodities could have for diversification of the region.
"Agriculture is vital to Mississippi's economy. Today, there are so many factors stimulating change and innovation on farms in Mississippi - new farm policy on the horizon, high fuel costs and an ever-changing global market," Dr. Spell in a release. "Delta Harvest is a group of experienced and successful Mississippi farmers who, in the past, grew cotton primarily. These farmers have taken substantial risks toward diversifying crop production in the Mississippi Delta. Hopefully, Delta Harvest will continue to grow and serve as a model for other farms in Mississippi."
"This is an extremely proud day for us, and we're so happy to be here," Jim Robertson, one of the partners in Delta Harvest, said in the release. "This is an exceptional product. Sweet corn is absolutely the most talked-about product in the state. Wherever I go in the Delta and throughout Mississippi, a lot of people are really excited about this. It has meant so much to our local businesses and had a big impact on our local economy. This is a $3.5 million facility, and we have employed well over 150 people this season. Cotton has kept our families here for the last hundred years. Sweet corn is what we hope helps keep our families here the next hundred years."
The Delta Harvest program is in its second year and has 600 acres of conventional sweet corn and 800 acres of Mirai corn planted. Mirai is a proprietary variety owned by Centest and Twin Garden Farms. Mirai is grown commercially for contract programs in five locations in the country, with the Delta Harvest operation now the largest producer.
Approximately 50 people attended the event. In addition to Dr. Spell, attendees included representatives of Mississippi State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Mississippi state representatives, and representatives of C.H. Robinson and Wal- Mart.
Following a short introduction, the attendees went on a tour of the Mirai and conventional sweet corn fields, which included an in- field tasting of the corn. Attendees also viewed a corn harvesting, or "mule train" crew, brought in from Florida, at work in the fields. Following the field visit, the group toured the new corn shed cooler and packing facility.
Despite the ideal conditions for sweet corn, a lack of experience and expertise in sweet corn farming and marketing was an obstacle to earlier efforts.
Mark Hayes, president of Twin Garden Sales in Harvard, IL, was instrumental in the development of the Delta Harvest project. Centest is the owner and the developer of Mirai seed.
"It is a proud day for all of us that have been working on this Delta corn project for almost three years to share the result of our efforts with all of you," Mr. Hayes said in the release. "It has taken a lot of owner effort, Mississippi state assistance and faith to be where we are today. This operation has set its sights on being a premiere corn growing and shipping operation. In two short years, it has come a long way, and with it have come many challenges. The challenges have been met head on, and the operation will continue to improve."
Another key consideration in the Delta vegetable growing region is its contribution to sustainability efforts. Vegetables produced in the Delta region are geographically closer to large retail distribution centers in the Southeast, reducing transportation costs and fuel consumption.
C.H. Robinson Co. serves as the primary marketer of product from this region, as well as the supply chain manager.
Mike Ralston, a general manager at C.H. Robinson, added, "We are so proud to be involved with this initiative and we are excited about the contribution Delta Harvest is making to Mississippi agriculture. We need to make sure we are building a sustainable supply chain, working to reduce waste, and to save energy.
"C.H. Robinson's focus is in on the consumer," Mr. Ralston continued. "We are continually seeking innovative products and methods to more efficiently market and distribute fresh produce to our customers. This project represents the best of those efforts and the exciting prospects for future growth in the produce industry."
Historically, Mississippi's main exports have been cotton, catfish and lumber. Diversification of the agricultural economy is a priority in the state, and in only its second year, the Mirai corn produced by Delta Harvest has done surprisingly well, with 400,000 cases of Mirai and conventional sweet corn expected to be shipped this season.
Although historically sweet corn has not been a significant commodity in the region, Mississippi agricultural experts have noted that the soil and climate conditions are extremely conducive to sweet corn.
The success of the program has created a lot of excitement in Mississippi about sweet corn and the introduction of other new commodities, such as leafy greens, cabbage, cantaloupes and personal-sized watermelons. The state leadership wanted to tour the facility to see for themselves the promise that new produce commodities could have for diversification of the region.
"Agriculture is vital to Mississippi's economy. Today, there are so many factors stimulating change and innovation on farms in Mississippi - new farm policy on the horizon, high fuel costs and an ever-changing global market," Dr. Spell in a release. "Delta Harvest is a group of experienced and successful Mississippi farmers who, in the past, grew cotton primarily. These farmers have taken substantial risks toward diversifying crop production in the Mississippi Delta. Hopefully, Delta Harvest will continue to grow and serve as a model for other farms in Mississippi."
"This is an extremely proud day for us, and we're so happy to be here," Jim Robertson, one of the partners in Delta Harvest, said in the release. "This is an exceptional product. Sweet corn is absolutely the most talked-about product in the state. Wherever I go in the Delta and throughout Mississippi, a lot of people are really excited about this. It has meant so much to our local businesses and had a big impact on our local economy. This is a $3.5 million facility, and we have employed well over 150 people this season. Cotton has kept our families here for the last hundred years. Sweet corn is what we hope helps keep our families here the next hundred years."
The Delta Harvest program is in its second year and has 600 acres of conventional sweet corn and 800 acres of Mirai corn planted. Mirai is a proprietary variety owned by Centest and Twin Garden Farms. Mirai is grown commercially for contract programs in five locations in the country, with the Delta Harvest operation now the largest producer.
Approximately 50 people attended the event. In addition to Dr. Spell, attendees included representatives of Mississippi State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Mississippi state representatives, and representatives of C.H. Robinson and Wal- Mart.
Following a short introduction, the attendees went on a tour of the Mirai and conventional sweet corn fields, which included an in- field tasting of the corn. Attendees also viewed a corn harvesting, or "mule train" crew, brought in from Florida, at work in the fields. Following the field visit, the group toured the new corn shed cooler and packing facility.
Despite the ideal conditions for sweet corn, a lack of experience and expertise in sweet corn farming and marketing was an obstacle to earlier efforts.
Mark Hayes, president of Twin Garden Sales in Harvard, IL, was instrumental in the development of the Delta Harvest project. Centest is the owner and the developer of Mirai seed.
"It is a proud day for all of us that have been working on this Delta corn project for almost three years to share the result of our efforts with all of you," Mr. Hayes said in the release. "It has taken a lot of owner effort, Mississippi state assistance and faith to be where we are today. This operation has set its sights on being a premiere corn growing and shipping operation. In two short years, it has come a long way, and with it have come many challenges. The challenges have been met head on, and the operation will continue to improve."
Another key consideration in the Delta vegetable growing region is its contribution to sustainability efforts. Vegetables produced in the Delta region are geographically closer to large retail distribution centers in the Southeast, reducing transportation costs and fuel consumption.
C.H. Robinson Co. serves as the primary marketer of product from this region, as well as the supply chain manager.
Mike Ralston, a general manager at C.H. Robinson, added, "We are so proud to be involved with this initiative and we are excited about the contribution Delta Harvest is making to Mississippi agriculture. We need to make sure we are building a sustainable supply chain, working to reduce waste, and to save energy.
"C.H. Robinson's focus is in on the consumer," Mr. Ralston continued. "We are continually seeking innovative products and methods to more efficiently market and distribute fresh produce to our customers. This project represents the best of those efforts and the exciting prospects for future growth in the produce industry."
