Revolutionary Corn Strain Emerges to Aid Farmers in the Face of the Climate Crisis
Discover the incredible potential of Jimmy Red corn, an heirloom crop cherished by moonshiners for its rich flavor and high oil content Now, scientists recognize its unique qualities as a key player in growing food amidst the climate crisis
Hurricane Florence set its sights on Campbell Coxes farm, as the 2018 tempest gained considerable strength in the Atlantic. Located in the trajectory was Darlington County, South Carolina, leaving Coxe with an urgent choice to make: which of his family's crops could he rescue amidst the impending disaster?
Coxe reminisced, "When faced with just 24 hours, I selected the most valuable one." The chosen crop was none other than the Jimmy Red corn, an heirloom variety renowned among moonshiners for its delectable nutty sweetness and high oil content. However, beyond its heritage, scientists recognize it as one of the few plants that could aid in tackling the challenges posed by the climate crisis. As temperatures rise, water becomes scarcer, and storms intensify, the Jimmy Red corn offers hope in sustaining food production for society.
Coxe tirelessly harvested his 50 acres of Jimmy Red, racing against time before the storm ravaged the remaining crops. Within a week, he managed to gather all the crops, working tirelessly day and night. Once saved, he promptly delivered them to his sole Jimmy Red customer located two hours away in Charleston.
"Not only was I relying on it, but High Wire Distilling was heavily dependent on it," stated Coxe. "(Florence) served as a wake-up call and instilled fear in us, making us realize that relying solely on one individual to handle the production of Jimmy Red corn was overwhelming."
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Microplastics may have the potential to induce cloud formation and impact weather patterns, according to a recent study. This was not the initial encounter with devastation for Jimmy Red. In September 2008, a significant event occurred when Ted Chewning held two blood-red ears of corn in a shop located in Colleton County, almost twenty years prior to the arrival of Hurricane Florence at Coxes farm.
"I was fascinated by it," said Chewning, a farmer and heirloom seed collector. "It was a beautiful corn on the cob."
They were the last two ears of Jimmy Red.
Chewning mentioned that he had kept the corn throughout the winter, preserving one ear, and subsequently sowed the seeds from the other in the spring.
Years later, it was discovered that Chewning's efforts likely prevented the extinction of Jimmy Red, thereby preserving a valuable genetic code that could prove instrumental for commercial corn growers grappling with the challenges posed by an ever-evolving climate.
Campbell Coxe harvests 50 acres of Jimmy Red corn on his Darlington, South Carolina, farm in September.
Peter Frank Edwards for High Wire Distilling Co
The past may fix the future
Not only is the climate changing, but the global population is also rapidly increasing. It reached 8 billion in the late part of last year, and it is estimated to reach over 10 billion by the 2080s. This means that the world will need to produce more food using only half of the available land and resources, as highlighted by Brian Ward, a research scientist at Clemson University.
"The genes in heirloom corn can help us do that," he said.
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Jimmy Red corn has diminished in popularity due to the fact that it is not suitable for immediate consumption straight from the cob. Instead, it must undergo the dehydration process to extract its rich flavor and high oil content – making it perfect for moonshine production, but not particularly valuable for large-scale commercial farming. Nonetheless, the true worth of Jimmy Red lies in its genetic composition.
Ward mentioned that heirloom grains, vegetables, and fruits possess characteristics that render them more resilient against climate change. This resilience is attributed to their long history of adaptation to varying conditions spanning centuries of cultivation. Utilizing these traits, cultivars can be developed to endure more challenging growing conditions.
"An heirloom possesses the genetic potential to thrive under harsh environmental conditions," Ward explained. "Currently, our geneticist is selectively breeding an heirloom snap bean variety. While its appearance may not be the most aesthetically appealing, and its yield may not be the highest, this bean demonstrates exceptional resilience to heat. Ultimately, we aim to incorporate this valuable trait into a higher yielding bean variety."
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Researchers say Jimmy Red corn is less susceptible to high winds because of its strong root system.
Peter Frank Edwards for High Wire Distilling Co
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Farmer Ted Chewning received the final two ears of the exceedingly rare Jimmy Red corn in the late 1990s. Utilizing these precious kernels, he successfully nurtured additional stalks, thereby preventing the variety from being wiped out completely.
Ward, from High Wire Distilling Co, has cultivated Jimmy Red corn for over ten years to assess its resilience and resistance to diseases. According to Ward, this variety of corn can thrive with minimal water and reduced fertilization. Additionally, it possesses a robust root system that helps it withstand storms without toppling over. Ward attributes this stability to the corn's years of growth on James Island, South Carolina, where it has endured powerful coastal storms.
"If the plants that remain upright and produce fruits are exclusively those from which farmers have saved the seeds, they will eventually develop traits capable of withstanding strong winds," Ward explained.
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With knowledge of the genetic characteristic of Jimmy Red corn, Ward stated that scientists are now able to incorporate this genetic code into other commercially cultivated corn types that have previously been vulnerable to strong winds.
Ward referred to his study on Carolina Gold Rice, another ancient grain, as an illustration of how genetic breeding can be utilized to address the issue of high salinity water in South Carolina and the Mississippi River Delta. These areas are major rice-growing regions in the United States, and the intrusion of saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico due to severe drought has posed significant challenges.
"The discovery of genetic markers associated with salt tolerance by Japanese scientists is noteworthy," explained Ward. "Carolina Gold already possesses some level of salt tolerance. However, we are currently breeding it to preserve its distinctive characteristics while enhancing its salt tolerance. Our efforts are based on their pioneering research."
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Located in Charleston, South Carolina, High Wire Distilling holds the distinction of being the biggest consumer of Jimmy Red corn. Throughout this year, the distillery utilized a staggering 1.1 million pounds of this unique corn variety in the production of its exquisite bourbon whiskey.
Peter Frank Edwards for High Wire Distilling Co
The old ways
In September, Coxe successfully harvested his 50-acre Jimmy Red crop at his usual speed. He is no longer the sole cultivator for High Wire Distilling, as the distillery has processed approximately 1.1 million pounds of this distinct red corn into a whiskey that co-founders Ann Marshall and Scott Blackwell describe as remarkably intricate, showcasing familiar nutty and sweet flavors.
Marshall coined it as "reverse pioneering," referring to the ancient age of this grain which has withstood the test of time independently, without any human intervention. By reverting back to traditional practices, there is a wealth of knowledge to be gained from it."
To mitigate the risk of losing the entire Jimmy Red crop to a single calamity, such as a hurricane, High Wire has distributed kernels to various farms in the region.
Ward contends that with a company like High Wire spearheading the demand for heirlooms, scientists will be able to investigate the past to find solutions for an unpredictable climate future.
He emphasized the irreplaceable nature of genetic material, stating, "Once lost, it cannot be restored."
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Researchers at Clemson University are currently focusing their efforts on enhancing the salt tolerance of the esteemed Carolina Gold rice, acknowledging the escalating salinity levels in water and soil caused by the ever-changing climate conditions.
Campbell Coxe
