It’s the time of year for sweet sweet corn, but this year the numbers are a little short. According to John Harold of Tuxedo Corn, it is Mother Nature’s fault.
It’s been a cool, wet spring and Tuxedo Corn hasn’t been able to plant in a timely manner because the crop was so late. Harold says it’s going to be a more difficult year economically also due to the fact that many people have decided to buy pre-packaged corn at the store. Even though he says numbers are down, they are still able to do well. John says part of keeping his business thriving is his staff, 150 migrants from Mexico.
“So it’s a good deal," says Harold. "They can come up here and work in the summer and then go back to Mexico and work there."
John says some people have told him that he doesn’t pay them enough, but he begs to differ. He says it costs $60,000 a year just for transportation to bring the workers to and from. Then for each individual, it costs $200 of Visa fees, making it another $30,000.
He says some in Olathe don’t like how his workers have changed the city. “The demographic has changed dramatically and some people in this community don’t like that”. But he says that the work couldn’t be done without them.
However, according to kjct8.com, Harold thinks that, besides some of the weather setbacks, this year’s corn sales are going to be alright.
