Our Farm
The Story…
Poppin’ Cobs Popcorn “popped up” in the Fall of 2014. when Josh’s wife, Kate, suggested that he grab a couple of popcorn cobs out of his family farm's popcorn field. She wanted to see if the popcorn would pop off the cob in the microwave. To their surprise, it popped right off the cob filling the microwave with popcorn. After tasting this fresh popcorn on the cob, Josh shared some with his entrepreneurial friend, Adam. Josh and Adam quickly agreed this unique way of making popcorn needed to be shared with others. They decided to head back to the popcorn field and hand pick more popcorn cobs. Poppin’ Cobs Popcorn was born! After selling out the first Poppin’ Cobs crop, Josh and Adam decided they would work with a local popcorn seed company to improve their popcorn. Together, they selected a variety of popcorn which is ideal for popping off the cob. This new variety combined with a special drying technique led to a unique, fresh, and crunchy popcorn. The new Poppin’ Cobs Popcorn was unlike anything they had ever tasted and something they were proud to call their own!
The Farm…
Our popcorn is grown on our own family farms in Indiana. The popcorn seed is planted in April or May and harvested in October or November. So that the popcorn will pop off the cob special care is given to the harvesting process. The popcorn must naturally dry down in the field. Moisture is what allows popcorn to pop (or not). If the kernel has too much or too little moisture it will not pop. We use custom and specialized equipment to pick the corn in the field. From there it is taken to our facility where the popcorn cobs are sorted and the husks removed. The popcorn is then packaged and ready to eat! Like many other midwestern farms ours will also grow other crops, most commonly “field” corn and soybeans.
The People…
Poppin’ Cobs was co-founded in 2014 by Josh Pottschmidt and Adam Bechtel. The two friends met at Purdue University. Josh was raised in a farm family and Adam married into one. Today Adam and his wife Haley own the Poppin’ Cobs brand and its parent business Burlington Grain and Produce Co. LLC. Josh is still involved in the business in various capacities. We appreciate your support of our farm and family.