The 4th of July, hot apple pie and sweet corn?

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Torri K. Larson
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  There are a lot of things that remind Airmen of home. Whether it's fireworks exploding to commemorate our independence, roasting marshmallows by a fire or just driving on the right-hand side of the road, there is something for everyone that brings back the familiar feeling of home. 

For Tech. Sgt. Brian Klemp, 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, it's American sweet corn. For about three years, Sergeant Klemp, with the help of members of his community, has been growing sweet corn in West Row. 

"I thought to myself, why can't I have the good corn I'm used to from back home," he said. "I didn't have any farming experience but I thought it would be fun to see if I could do it." 

Sergeant Klemp explained that, as a registered importer, he has the seeds shipped from the U.S. and his British neighbors help him farm one acre of sweet corn each season. 

"It's all picked by hand and it's pretty time-consuming," he said. "I'm just trying to bring a taste of home to the folks stationed here." 

Sergeant Klemp has a roadside stand in West Row where he sells his corn; however, he gives a lot of it away for squadron corn roasts, barbecues and other events. 

"I'm not trying to make a lot of money, I realized how many people might miss sweet corn from home," he said. 

One of Sergeant Klemp's British neighbors said she loves the American sweet corn. 

"It's great, I've never tasted sweet corn so good," said Karen Burrows, 48th EMS resource advisor. "(I've) never had sweet corn that had been cooked on a BBQ until I got educated by the guys." 

She said the first time she tried it was a year ago when Sergeant Klemp brought some into work for a BBQ. It's had a positive impact on the community and she said she has some friends still waiting for her to get some for them. 

Sergeant Klemp encourages people to come and try his corn and said the harvest will continue into late October.