Schlechter Farms - Part of Willamette Valley Agricultural History
Schlechter Farms is continuing a family farm tradition that dates back to the early 1900's when Jim's grandfather, Joseph Schlechter, settled in the Willamette Valley. Jim started farming in 1971 with wheat and clover seed, but switched in 1978 to sweet corn and onions. Part of the farm is located in Lake Labish, where we grow the red and yellow onions for which Lake Labish is famous.
Our super-sweet corn (both white and yellow varieties) is sold to grocery stores all along the West Coast. We grow a great deal of the sweet corn seen each summer in Roth's, Safeway, Fred Meyer and Winco stores. These same grocery stores also offer our squash throughout the fall season.
Many of the produce vendors at farmer’s markets in Oregon purchase sweet corn from us for resale to their farm market customers. We also supply corn and other vegetables to several of the Willamette Valley farm produce stands. And we operate a produce stand of our own during the corn season from early August through late October.
June 30, 2019 - Update from the Farm
Exciting news from the corn field! We found both tassels and silks on many of the cornstalks today. Generally, it takes about 28 to 30 days after silks appear for the corn to be ripe. So, we are hoping for an opening day right around the first of August. And in news from our greenhouse, we are growing some of our tomatoes hydroponically this year. They are certainly coming along nicely, too.
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June 15, 2019 - Sweet Corn Update
The corn in this field was our first weekly planting on April 24th. It’s sure coming along nicely. Look how tall some of them are already! We’re still thinking it will likely be ready in early August. Like and follow our page to be notified when we post a Fourth of July week update.
May 16, 2019 Update - Sweet Corn Update
The corn is three weeks old and loving the warmer weather!
April 24, 2019 Update - The Rainy Days Have Finally Stopped (for now)!
The first of ten staggered plantings of our sweet yellow corn has finally been planted. The first planting of our sweet white corn will be planted in a couple days. It seemed like the rain would never stop this spring! Watch this website or our Schlechter Farms Facebook page for updates during the growing season.
June 26, 2018 Update - Tassels and Silks!
Since the previous post on June 9th, amazing things are happening in the cornfield! We noticed tassels developing last week, and this week, we've spotted silks! The pollen on the tassels will pollinate the silks and in about four weeks, we'll taste-test to determine the best date to begin the harvest. We're hoping to open our produce stand the last week of July.
Did you know that each silk corresponds to a single kernel within the ear, and each kernel must be pollinated in order to have a completely filled ear of corn?
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