Astronomy Domine Sweet Corn
This important collaborative project is an effort to preserve corn diversity and make it available to growers everywhere for selection under their own conditions. The original crosses were made by Alan Bishop of the Hip-Gnosis seed project in Indiana, involving over 170 sweet corns. The genepool was then grown and widely distributed by Joseph Lofthouse in Utah, with contributions from many seed growers in many places. Our seed was grown by Julia Dakin in Northern California's fog belt, overlooking the ocean. Wind, salt, and poor soil were part of the selection process. Both Lofthouse and Dakin grow their crops in unamended native soil, to select for vigor under low-input conditions. This collaborative project is a genetic treasure trove for resilient, adaptive sweet corn.