The "'Roasting Ear' Marketmaster" Story

It was an ordinary day. As I passed Brook Lawn Farm Market on my way to work, there it was. The big sign along Rt. 501N proclaiming "Our Own Sweet Corn". Every year in the beginning of July, Jim puts the sign up on his board in from of his farm stand. "Jim" is Jim Erb who was a student of mine back in the late 60s and early 70s. I had him for both Graphic Arts and Photography at Manheim Township High School. He took metal shop from my friend Jerry during his senior year and built an animal trap. Jerry asked me to go with the two of them back to Jim's family farm, "Brook Lawn", along Rt. 501 and take photos of the trap in locations around the farm so they could enter the trap in a welding contest. Shortly after they submitted the photos, Jim found that he had won the contest. The following fall he entered Millersville University to major in Industrial Arts. Jim graduated from Millersville in '76 and eventually came back to teach with Jerry and me at our Alma Mater. During his first year at MT he met Romaine, who taught Spanish. In 1978 they were married and shortly thereafter took over the full operation of the family farm from Jim's parents. One of Jim's biggest crops is corn. He raises over half a dozen varieties, starting with the planting of "Spring Snow" at the end of March. He plants rows close together and covers them with plastic to keep the warmth in, and after the corn is about a foot tall, opens the plastic to check on the progress. He prides himself on having a quality product ready for the market before the 4th of July. Following "Spring Snow" comes "Frosty", a 70 day corn (takes 70 days to mature), "Whiteout", a 74 day corn, "Temptation", a 65 day bi-color (butter and sugar corn), "Silver King", an 84 day corn, replacing the every popular "Silver Queen", 82 day "Providence" which is a bi-color corn, and "Argent" which is a late summer/fall corn which needs less warmth and less light to grow. He always seems to have at least one variety until he closed the stand at the end of October. Jim's farm has a pond that he uses to irrigate his crops. Pretty neat and elaborate system he has designed. Jim and Romaine also have more than half-dozen varieties of peach trees and they have peaches all summer and well into the fall to give their customers a constant supply of fruit. And I make constant stops for one of my all-time favorite fruits. Brook Lawn raises many other products as well as corn and peaches and also sells a variety of mulches. About 10 years ago, I drove a dump truck for Jim and delivered mulch to customers. Enjoyed it, but had to give it up because of time restraints. The "family farm" is one of Lancaster County's top draws and Brook Lawn Farm is one of the top family farms in the county. Visit them along Rt. 501N near Neffsville, PA and see their selection. Oh, and tell Jim and Romaine the LDub sent you! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - photos from the top are: Sign letting you know about the products they have for sale, entrance to Brook Lawn Farm Market, preparing for the day at the market, Jim readies his assortment of corn, irrigation system in the fields, and corn ready for pickin'. Oh yeah, you do know what a "roasting ear" is, don't you?