2024 Madison area of Wisconsin Corn U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Corn U-Pick Orchards in Madison area of Wisconsin in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for corn that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have corn orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

Crawford County

• Fleming Orchards - apples, pumpkins, squash, gourds, Indian corn
  Hwy 171, 4 mi E, Gays Mills, WI . Phone: 608-735 4625. Email: flemorch@mwt.net. Open: 7 days a week 8 to 5 pm August 15 to Nov 15. Click here for a map and directions. . . Fresh picked apples, cider, caramel apples, honey, jams and jellies, maple syrup, pumpkins, squash, gourds, Indian corn, popcorn on weekends. Petting Zoo. During August - October we have a petting zoo that overlooks the orchard (behind the retail store). There are a variety of small animals for you and your children to meet and play with, including goats, pot-bellied pigs, chickens and rabbits. Pick-Your-Own: We also offer the ability for our customers to head out into the orchard and pick their own apples. Many people find this is a great family activity and return year-after-year. School Tours: We have hosted school tours since the 1970s. (UPDATED: May 14, 2016, JBS)

Dane County

• Beelafarm - UPDATE: June 13, 2020: The owner tells me they are now permanently closed Uses natural growing practices, asparagus, corn (sweet), cucumbers, melons, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables,
  2512 Evans Rd, Mcfarland, WI 53558. Phone: (608) 320-0157. Email: beelafarm@yahoo.com. Open: permanently closed. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . . May 1 to October 31 Saturday to Sunday 7 am to 7 pm Other times available, please call. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. Peonies available for weddings or other events. Please call before mid May to reserve quantities. (UPDATED: February 11, 2019)
• The Tree Farm - asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, Christmas trees, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant (aubergine), flowers, peas, peppers, pumpkins, rhubarb, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables.
  8454 St Rd 19, Cross Plains, WI 53528. Phone: 608-798-2286. Email: treefarm@midplains.net. Open: May and June we sell asparagus and rhubarb by appointment; July and August we are open Wednesday, Thursdayand Friday, 9-noon and 4-8; Saturday and Sunday 9-5. Directions: The Tree Farm is located in Northwestern Dane County, WI, on Highway 19, four miles west of Highway 12. From Middleton take hwy 12 North and turn west \(that\'s left\) on hwy 19. From Sauk City take hwy 12 SE, turn south \(right\) on hwy KP and then east \(left\) on hwy 19. From Black Earth take hwy F north and turn east \(right\) on 19. See our website for a map and complete directions. . Click here for a map and directions. . September and October we are open Wednesday, Thurs, and Friday 9-noon and 4-dusk; Saturday and Sunday 9-5 Thanksgiving we are open Friday 1:30 to 4:30; Saturday and Sunday 9-4:30. is located in Northwestern Dane County, WI, on Highway 19, four miles west of Highway 12. From Middleton take hwy 12 North and turn west (that's left) on hwy 19. From Sauk City take hwy 12 SE, turn south (right) on hwy KP and then east (left) on hwy 19. From Black Earth take hwy F north and turn east (right) on 19. See our website for a map and complete directions. Click here for a map to our farm. We raise approximately 40 different kinds of vegetables and herbs for you to pick as well as flowers to cut. A complete list of what we raise and when we expect it to be ready is available on our web site. We raise most vegetables that will grown in our climate. A complete list is available on our web site. (Updated December 22, 2010X)

Grant County

• Vesperman Farms - Strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins, restrooms, concessions or refreshment stand, corn maze, pumpkin patch in the field, pumpkins brought in from the field, farm animals, tours of the operation, group tours
  8149 Stage Road, Lancaster, WI 53813. Phone: 608-723-2542. Email: kyle.vesperman@gmail.com. Open: See their website for for hours and availability. Directions: See their website for directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Vesperman Farms Facebook page. . . (ADDED: June 08, 2016, Suggested by a visitor)

Lafayette County

• Penny Hill - No pesticides are used, corn (sweet), raspberries (red), strawberries, U-pick and already picked
  6703 Co highway N, South Wayne, WI 53587. Phone: 608-439-5393. Open: Daylight to dark, every day except Sundays; For pick - your - own, please bring your own buckets!. Directions: Penny Hill farm is just north of the village of South Wayne. From highway 11 in South Wayne, right where you see the Woodford State Bank turn north on to County Road D \(It\'s highway 176 on some maps\). Right after you cross the river bridge you will turn right onto County Road N. As you head north on N, Penny Hill farm is just up the hill on the left. When there are berries available, there\'ll be a big sign in the driveway. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . farm is just north of the village of South Wayne. From highway 11 in South Wayne, right where you see the Woodford State Bank turn north on to County Road D (It's highway 176 on some maps). Right after you cross the river bridge you will turn right onto County Road N. As you head north on N, farm is just up the hill on the left. When there are berries available, there'll be a big sign in the driveway. Strawberries through June; Raspberries start in July; Sweet corn in late summer; Timing depends on weather so call to verify availability. We do not use pesticides on the crops. Bring your own containers, please.

Sauk County

• Country Bumpkin Farm Market - Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, a vast assortment of fresh produce raised on our farm & picked fresh daily, pumpkins, haywagon rides to the pumpkin patches in the fall, corn maze,
  E9745 Hwy P, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965. Phone: 608-254-2311. Email: countrybumpkinfarm@yahoo.com. Directions: We are located 2 miles West of Lake Delton on County Hwy. P, off Hwy. 23 South in the heart of the surrounding vacationland area of Wisconsin Dells. . Click here for a map and directions. . every day from April 22 to October 31, from 10am to 6pm, for both U-Pick & We-Pick; Strawberries ripen June 1 and are good picking for 4 weeks; Special open hours during strawberry season: U-pick = 8am to 6pm daily, rain or shine, We-pick = 10am to 6pm daily, rain or shine. Phone for updated picking report and current prices. We have two types of raspberries: the summer bearers that start July 1 and are great picking for the month, and the fall bearers which start giving berries in July and give their largest yields in August and September and right through October until hard frosts. Blueberries are ripe by July 1 and continue through August 15 when all the berries have been picked and are gone until next year! Please call to set up a picking time and for current prices. Blackberries both thorn and thornless will be ripe August 1 through September 15. They also have a fun ride all season long on the Express! Ice cream cones, gift shop, our own honey, local maple syrup and sorghum, jams & dressings, salsa, mustard, pickles, local fresh farm brown eggs, much more!
• Eagleglen Farm - beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), eggplant, herbs or spices, peas, pumpkins, tomatoes, other vegetables, porta-potties are available
  4898 County Road GG, Loganville, WI 53943. Phone: 608-415-8516. Email: eagleglenfarm@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 5:30 pm and Sunday Noon - 5 pm. Directions: Corner of highway 23 and County Road GG, between Loganville and Plain, WI. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Eagleglen Farm Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 608-727-2281. . Bring your binoculars to see the eagles and their eaglets. Strawberries will be coming next year!.
  Comments from a visitor on August 25, 2011: "This is one of my favorites. It's on the small side, but has great blueberries and raspberries."

 

 

Choosing and Picking Corn

Corn reaches it's peak sweetness and flavor when the kernels are full, and just touching each other, like a good set of teeth!  They should not be bloated and smushed so tightly that there is no space left at all. The bloated overripe ears will have a bland, starchy taste.

Here's what to look for:

• The tips of the silks coming out of the ear should be a light brown.
•  If you break a kernel with your fingernail, the liquid should be slightly milky in color.
•  The ears should be filled out and have developed good girth but not bloated.

Harvesting

 To harvest, snap off the ears by hand with a quick, firm, downward push; then twist and pull.
 Avoid twisting or yanking the ears, as this can damage the stalk or the ear itself.

Storing the corn

Corn is at its prime eating quality on the stalk for only 72 hours before becoming over mature. The most important factor is cooling it as soon as possible after harvesting it.  Get it into the fridge or cover it with ice! Many farmers say you should remove the shucks right away, too.  I've found that removing most of the shuck, but leaving a few leaves to cover each ear is best to prevent the kernels from drying out.  See this page for more about storing corn before using it.

Cooking:

The worst mistake people make is overcooking corn.  In fact, corn isn't really cooked; it's just heated up. If you cook it form more than a few minutes (3 minutes), then you are simply breaking down the sugars and turning a nice, crisp sweet ear into bland mush. It's not a pot roast; the purpose of heating it is NOT to break down the cells, just to heat them to bring out the flavor and melt the butter!

Here's how to cook the corn:

1. Fill a large pot (large enough so the shucked ears can fit inside, laying down) about 2/3 full of water and start bring it to a boil
2. Shuck the ears, and snap off the stalk end and the very tip of ear (especially if you will use "corn stickers" , (handles) to hold the ears.
3. When everyone is sitting down at the table and you are serving the rest of the meal, put the corn in the boiling water and set the time for 3 minutes.
4. After 3 minutes, using tongs, retrieve the ears and serve them with butter (Corn boats are wonderful for corn!

 

Freezing Corn

You can easily freeze the sweet corn and have that great taste in the dead of winter! 

• Freezing whole ears of corn on the cob
• Freezing corn, cut off the cob

Canning Corn

This too, is easy... but it DOES require a Pressure Canner.  You cannot safely do this with a water bath canner.  Food poisoning is no joke!

• Here is how to can corn!
•  how to make canned creamed corn.
• Southern Chow-Chow (also called Piccalilli)
• Pickled corn relish

Other corn recipes

• How to make sweet corn ice cream
• Corn bread, or sweet corn muffins (like Chi Chi's)

• Corn fritters (a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers