PODCAST

Farmer Gene Mealhow has been producing Tiny But Mighty Popcorn® since the late 1990s. A third-generation family farmer and soil consultant by profession, Gene continues to build his company and consult with farmers regarding organic certification. Back in the 1980s, Gene started to look at the whole picture involving groundwater & chemicals and decided to go organic with his farming. He joined a soil consulting firm, which advised farmers about soil nutrients & seed selection. One of Gene’s first customers in the early 1990s was Richard Kelty, who brought Gene in to reduce his waste and increase the yield of a very special seed – known today as Tiny But Mighty Popcorn. Gene and Richard worked together, greatly improving yields, until Richard decided he was ready to sell the business in 1998. Gene had a connection to this special heirloom seed & didn’t want to see it fall to the wayside; a few weeks later he asked Richard if he could buy the business.