Episode Details
Back to Episodes
Sweet corn- can you make money on it? And best practices with Dan Fillius from Iowa State University
Description
Everyone loves sweet corn, but can you make money on it? This pod episode sets out to answer the age-old question, and shine light on the best practices that will give growers the best chance of being profitable with this summer favorite. We also discuss whether sweet corn can function as a “loss leader,” i.e. come for the sweet corn, stay for the tomatoes and salad mix theory that might justify growing it at a loss to get customers in the door (or the farmers market stand, as the case may be).
This podcast episode is a complement to Dan’s article in the January Growing for Market Magazine, “Sweet corn without chemicals: can the early bird beat the (ear)worm?” But we didn’t want Dan to have to repeat everything he said in the article, so the article is linked below in the show notes. Though the article covers most of the basics for early and profitable sweet corn production, we cover some additional pests, sweet corn types, and ideas that we didn’t have space for in the article.
Connect With Guest:
Instagram: @iowa.veg.pro.support
Dan’s article in the January 2026 Growing for Market Magazine:
Sweet corn without chemicals: can the early bird beat the (ear)worm?
Podcast Sponsors:
Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:
Farming is hard. Running it shouldn’t be. Tend helps you plan your season, map your farm, and track every task from seed to sale. No spreadsheets, no guesswork, just seamless workflows. Tend is the all-in-one farm management platform that brings together planning, field mapping, fulfillment, real-time inventory, sales, labor, traceability, and accounting in one easy platform. Built for small market gardens, CSAs, and large diversified farms. Get started with a free account at Tend.com. No credit card required.
If you grow for market, you know performance is everything. That’s why so many farmers are turning to Burpee’s Farmers Market. Dedicated to professional growers, Burpee is now offering non-GMO seeds in larger quantities – bred and selected for standout flavor, strong yields, and the kind of visual appeal your customers crave. Burpee’s been doing this for 150 years, and they’re still creating new varieties with growers like you in mind. You can check out the full lineup at Burpee.com/FarmersMarket.
Farmhandis the virtual assistant built for farmers—helping CSAs scale sales, run error-free fulfillment, and deliver 5-star service. Whether you’re at 100 members or 1,000, Farmhand helps you grow without burning out. You’ve heard us—and our farmers—right here on the Growing for Market Podcast. Explore more stories and learn more atfarmhand.partners/gfm.
Rimol Greenhouse Systems designs and manufactures greenhouses that are built to be intensely rugged, reliably durable, and uniquely attractive – to meet all your growing needs. Rimol Greenhouses are guaranteed to hold up