By Maggie Edwards  

Multicolored heirloom corn grows at the heart of Baldwin County’s Bayou Cora Farms, a booming business that produces on-farm goods such as corn flour, meal, fish fry and grits.

“We are continuing the legacy of our grandfathers,” said Josh Higginbotham, who farms the family land with twin brother Jarred. “It’s nice to know that we are keeping the family tradition of farming alive.”

In 1875, Josh and Jarred’s great-great-great-grandfather, James Phillip Lipscomb, transported corn from Monroe County to the Gulf Coast as feed for his cattle. Lipscomb grew the variety of red, yellow, orange, purple and blue corn until 1933. 

“Our family stepped away from farming full time around the time we were born in the late ‘80s,” Josh said. “My uncle and grandfather wanted to preserve the corn, so they froze seeds in a Ziploc bag in a barn freezer.” 

The corn sat idle for 24 years. 

In 2011, the family planted 98 kernels with almost 100% germination, Josh said. 

“We gradually planted our acres,” Josh said. “We picked and shelled 5 acres by hand when we first started. That’s when Jarred mentioned making corn meal.” 

That idea really came from their grandfather, Sheldon Lipscomb, and great uncles, Jarred said. 

“They always thought they could do something with the heirloom corn,” Jarred said. “By the time they stopped farming, there wasn’t a food culture market for heirloom ingredients.” 

That was before the brothers bought a mill. Jarred’s innovative mind resulted in the brothers using a kitchen blender to grind the first batch. They packed 20 one-pound bags and instantly sold out at the Foley farmers market. 

They began intentionally building the Bayou Cora Farms brand in 2015. The products’ flavorful and unique taste has led to sales at restaurants and stores. They’ve shipped to every state in the U.S. 

“Our business is very direct to consumer, and we’re proud of that,” Josh said. “People know where the product comes from and know it comes from a farmer.” 

Bayou Cora Farms products also bear the Sweet Grown Alabama label and are harvested, stored, milled and bagged on the farm. 

Their industrial mill from Austria grinds, sifts and sorts the whole kernel corn into three sections based on texture — corn meal, corn flour and grits. Items are bagged and sealed with an automatic machine. 

“We’re a one-stop shop,” Jarred said. “We’re involved in the entire process. I know what we are planting. I see it from start to finish, then go into a restaurant and eat a product I had a part in growing.” 

Milling isn’t Jarred and Josh’s only career. They’re musicians, too. Their band, This Side of 49, is a favorite for tourists traveling the Gulf Coast and pays homage to the road where their farm sits. 

Whether it’s at the farm or on stage strumming a guitar, the brothers enjoy engaging with community members. 

“I love being on the family land and sharing a product with people,” Josh said. “The aspect of family tradition is something I never want to see stop. My hope is my son and Jarred’s son will continue this generational business.”