Butter on Your Chin is a Good Thing

There’s nothing quite like biting into a butter-slathered ear of corn, on a hot August afternoon. For many Wisconsinites, this golden, starchy vegetable is more than just food. It’s a late summer ritual that fills our stomachs and somehow, our hearts, too. Picture driving down a quiet country road, windows rolled down, music playing, when a handwritten sign catches your eye: “SWEET CORN $6/dozen.” Naturally, you pull over, because fresh sweet corn like that is impossible to pass up. For many, the sight, taste and smell of sweet corn, is a marker of late summer, in Wisconsin. It’s a bittersweet reminder that summer days are numbered. Sweet corn holds a special place in many memories. It begins with shucking husks outside with siblings, moves to families passing the salt shaker around the dinner table and ends with very happy (and very full) stomachs. It also evokes summers at the county fair, with friends, wandering through stalls, in search of the tastiest food, before inevitably settling on butter-dripped cobs from local farmers. More than just a seasonal treat, sweet corn is a thread that weaves people together. It brings families close during backyard cookouts, fills picnic tables at neighborhood gatherings and creates a sense of community at county fairs across Wisconsin. Each buttery bite carries the warmth of shared stories, laughter and tradition, reminding us that, sometimes, the simplest foods are the ones that connect us most. One of the joys of sweet corn season, is the adventure itself. Across Wisconsin, from small towns to rural crossroads, family farms set up roadside stands, brimming with golden corn, ripe and ready for enjoyment. By choosing to buy from these local growers, you’re not just filling your basket; you’re supporting families, who keep Wisconsin’s agricultural traditions alive. It’s a chance to connect with the land and the people behind the food, making every buttery bite taste even better. However, August corn doesn’t last forever, just like summer. So, pull over for that roadside stand, eat with your hands and don’t be afraid to get butter on your chin.