Craving the most a-maizing sweet corn? You’re golden! You not only live in South Dakota, you live in Milbank. Just look for the vintage blue Dodge pickup in the... Tuchscherer’s Sweet Corn Stand Celebrates 25 Years

Craving the most a-maizing sweet corn? You’re golden! You not only live in South Dakota, you live in Milbank. Just look for the vintage blue Dodge pickup in the parking lot at S & D on Highway 12. Near the truck, you’ll find the Corn Lady, Ann Tuchscherer, and her husband, Dale, who is always willing to let you bend his ear with a corny story. Tuchscherer Corn is sold only at its peak, and when it’s gone; it’s gone!

The Tuchscherers say this is their 25th year, but they opened their stand so long ago, they are a bit cornfused. Is it 25 or 26 years?  (There was that year it was so dry Ann put sprinklers on top of ladders. She was determined to save at least enough for the family to can some for winter. “Does that year count?” they wondered.) Shucks! Either way – it’s a ton of corn! 
One summer about 25 years ago, the couple produced a bumper crop and decided to farm out the excess to help pay the tuition for their youngest child at St. Lawrence School.  Their child grew like a weed and so did their sweet corn business.  The corn bread helped pay for four more children’s education at St. Lawrence, their high school activities, and eventually college tuition. Over the years, the same blue pickup was always there, the same Corn Lady and Pop Corn, but the kids changed- each one helping when they were old enough. Now that tuition is a thing of the past, much of the corn bread goes to charity. 
 
Like most crops, the sweet corn harvest always fell during a busy time of the year – haying and wheat harvest for Dale, and getting ready for school for the kids and Ann, who worked as a teacher for 34 years. But the sweet corn harvest also meant a time of togetherness for the family, making new friends, and catching up with old friends and perennial customers.
 
Now that their children have reached maturity, Ann and Dale do most of the picking and selling. They estimate they pick close to three-fourths of an acre each season. Things got easier after they started planting the corn on irrigated land, but the couple is out early every morning, picking the tender ears and fighting the mosquitos.
 
If you haven’t tried Tuchscherer Corn, there’s still time. But not a lot. If you want more than a dozen ears, pre-order by calling Ann at 605.432.6023. (In case they are out standing in their field, leave a message.) They will box it and have it ready for you to pick up. Otherwise, look for the blue pickup at S&D – usually starting around 10 a.m. Beware, though, sales began on Monday July 23, and the Tuchscherers say their peak of the season record was 17 days, but the average is around 10. Butter hurry!

Staff Writer

No comments so far.

Be first to leave comment below.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *