Patriotic popcorn an opportunity for Lamberton couple

Thursday, November 22, 2012

By Carol Stender
cstender@agrinews.com

Date Modified: 11/22/2012 7:00 PM

Ryan and Tiffany Batalden of Lamberton, Minn., grew an acre of popcorn this year and are selling it as Patriot Pops Organic Popcorn. The kernels are red white and blue in color.

LAMBERTON, Minn. — It was color that won out over other traits when Ryan and Tiffany Batalden chose popcorn varieties for their Lamberton farm. The result is a patriotic mix of red, white and blue kernels packaged and marketed as Patriot Pops Organic Popcorn.

The idea got its start five years ago when Tiffany was selling homemade bread at farmers markets. She baked up to 80 loaves a week, grinding wheat grown on their organic farm. She thought of other items the couple could produce and sell.

"And I thought it would be neat to sell red, white and blue popcorn, especially around the Fourth of July," she said.

They planted a few rows in their garden.

It didn't do well, they said. The cobs and yield were small. They forgot about it for a few years.

But last year, the opportunity was there to add it to their cropping mix. Besides corn and soybeans, the couple planted oilseed radishes for its seed, Ryan said.

It also seemed like a good time to add popcorn, not for their garden, but to grow in their fields.  Click here to read the full article!   This is excellent popcorn!

Category: Local Growers