Mark and I started raising asparagus in 1985, with two young children. Our first asparagus patch ended up being about 10,000 crowns over 3 1/2 acres, lasted for about 28 years, and generated enough income to put our kids through college. A couple of years after plowing under our first patch, I retired from the Christian County Extension Service, went through Master Gardener training, and needing a way to reconnect with people, we planted another 2000 crowns, or about 3/8's of an acre. Now, in addition to asparagus and pumpkins, we also raise sweet corn, and, most recently, popcorn. Most everything we raise is sold out of our 105 year-old converted dairy barn and milk house. About two-thirds of our annual popcorn crop is now shipped to Minnesota.

Asparagus, Sweet Corn, Pumpkins, Gourds, and Popcorn