COPLAY, Pa. – After weeks of worrying about dry conditions, recent rainfall is giving local farmers renewed optimism for this year’s sweet corn crop.

For Newhard Farms, where roughly 1.5 million stalks of sweet corn are planted each season, the change has been noticeable.

“This is how it’s supposed to look,” farmer Don Newhard said while driving through rows of corn ready for harvest.

Newhard welcomed the recent rain with his trademark sense of humor.

“It’s really nice when the good Lord waters it, and I don’t have to,” Newhard said.

When asked if he ever calls him “the bad Lord” during dry spells, Newhard laughed.

“No, but I ask him why,” he responded.

A healthy crop is essential for the farm’s busy corn stand, where customers are already enjoying this year’s harvest.

“Two nights in a row of good living,” one customer joked while buying sweet corn.

Rain Makes a Difference

The improvement is something Heather Skorinko has witnessed firsthand.

69 News spoke with Skorinko just last week while reporting on her family’s efforts to preserve their North Whitehall Township farm. At the time, she warned continued dry weather could severely impact the crop.

“A week ago, you told me if we don’t get some rain soon, our entire crop could be really impacted,” 69 News Reporter Bo Koltnow said.

“That’s true,” Skorinko replied.

Since then, timely rainfall has changed the outlook.

“This is looking much better,” Skorinko said. “Our early corn was only about this wide.”

When asked if the crop would have looked this healthy a week earlier, she answered simply:

“No.”

“It’s because of the rain?” Koltnow asked.

“Yes,” she replied.

Rain helps corn develop larger kernels, improving both quality and the value of the crop.

Still Watching the Weather

Despite the improved outlook for sweet corn, farmers say the season is far from over.

Ethan Newhard, Don’s grandson, says field corn—which makes up the majority of the family’s farming operation—won’t be harvested until the fall.

“If we get an inch of rain a week from here until harvest, that is the goal,” Ethan Newhard said. “That would make a good year for everybody.”

Skorinko says rain is also critical for another crop that supports her livestock.

“We also raise our own alfalfa for hay. That needs consistent rainfall to keep growing and cutting for more hay to feed livestock.”

Asked whether farmers ever get a break, Skorinko laughed.

“No,” she said.

For farmers across the region, recent rains have eased concerns over sweet corn, but with field corn, hay and livestock still depending on the weather, the growing season is far from over.