This month, the Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University hosted its last ‘Garden and Grow’ learning session for 2024 at the Garden’s Heritage Pavilion. Titled ‘Outlaw to Icon,' the event offered a rich, informative experience on the remarkable story of Jimmy Red Corn. It was a captivating ‘Journey Through Time,’ with a little 'taste' to go along with it.
“It was a fun Indiana Jones plant adventure, if the ‘History Channel' came alive through horticulture,” shared Todd Beasley, Ed.D, Director of the Botanic Garden.
Ted Chewning, a guardian of southern agricultural heritage, is credited with rediscovering what was thought to be the last remaining ears of Jimmy Red Corn in 2008. It is a beautiful heirloom variety with a rich, sweet flavor and deep color. Fast forward to 2024, Jimmy Red corn is grown in South Carolina (Georgia too) and it goes to either making Jimmy Red grits or, the star of the evening, bourbon.
On this cool pleasant evening, the pavilion's elegant charm added warmth and fostered an engaging atmosphere for discussion. The garden staff created an inviting atmosphere where a sold out crowd of 50 guests mingled, exchanged thoughts and laughter. Many became table friends over the course of the evening.
It was a diversified group of bourbon aficionados/connoisseurs and enthusiasts. Small plates of appetizers, including mini ham sliders, chocolate and fruit platters, cheese and dried fruit boards, assorted dips and crackers, benedictine spread on tea sandwiches, pecan pie pastries, bourbon balls and assorted nuts were provided by the Gather and Grow ladies, led by Leigh Whitaker.
Dr. David S. Shields, a Carolina Distinguished Professor at the University of South Carolina (USC), introduced the program about rediscovering long lost legacy collections and bringing them back into cultivation. The author of dozens of books, including Southern Provisions: The Creation and Revival of a Cuisine and The Culinarians: Lives and Careers from the First Age of American Fine Dining on American chefs, caterers and restaurateurs from 1793-1919, Shields recently was named a co-finalist for the James Beard Book Award in a category of Reference Scholarship, ‘The Ark of Taste’.
“I'm basically known as a flavor saver,” Shields said. “The person who goes out to hunt ingredients down and gets people to grow them and chefs to use them.”
Writer and bourbon aficionado, his work reflects the southern cultural tradition, and he is a well-known expert in spirits, particularly whiskey. When Chewning was unable to attend the event as originally planned, Shields immediately agreed to fill in. Shields knows a lot about Georgia's culinary world, and his colleagues are flavor revivalists: they research and spearhead the return of some of the tastiest grain seeds, fruits, and vegetables the South ever produced.
Shields shared some of the highlights of Jimmy Red Corn. It's a type of corn that gets its distinct color from natural pigmentation, and it is rich in antioxidants, high in fiber, and a good source of vitamins and minerals. Also rich in flavor, distilled red corn can produce a warm golden hue in its bourbon, creating a rich flavor with some sweetness and depth in color. Samplers at the event experienced aroma notes of caramel, vanilla, and sweet corn.
In addition to Dr. Shields, a bonus speaker was introduced: Alexander (Alex) Helms. Sharing his new challenge in distillation with High-Wire Distillery in Charleston, SC, Helms is the brand ambassador for the distillery and has quickly established himself as an expert on bourbon. He plays a pivotal role in making sure every batch of ‘Jimmy Red’ is quality; he is present at the distillery daily and used to have his watch set to go off every 20 minutes to check on the batches!
Learning the history of Jimmy Red Corn and sampling its namesake bourbon was the perfect pairing for a fun and informative evening.
You may ask, though, why the title ‘Outlaw to Icon'? “Yes, I think it's fitting since it's used for moonshine (and to some extent possibly hiding marijuana patches since it grows 10 feet tall),” shared Beasley. Who knew!
Much gratitude to the engaging speakers and the dedicated volunteers for the Botanic Garden. Until next year's harvest!
The Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern is located at 1503 Bland Avenue in Statesboro. For more information, visit the Garden's website.
