Researchers at UW-Madison developed a new sweet corn variety coined “Who Gets Kissed?” in collaboration with the Organic Seed Alliance and other farmers, according to a university release.
The breed’s name pays homage to an old tradition where communities would come together to husk corn and dance, according to the release. When a person found corn, they could kiss one other person in the group.
After seven years of collaboration to develop a sweet corn variety that could withstand cool soils and be resistant to common corn rust and dirt, Who Gets Kissed? recently became available for Wisconsin farmers.
While most corn varieties this strong are genetically identical hybrids, Who Gets Kissed? is a genetically diverse, open-pollinated breed, according to the release.
The variety will be commercially available through High Mowing Organic Seeds next year.
