Tennessee Farmer Joe McClure Has Developed a New Peach Variety
Photo credit: Joe McClure
Humphreys County farmer Joe McClure has achieved quite an array of accomplishments in his life – including a career as a medical doctor and writing a song for Loretta Lynn. Now, after 20 years of cross-pollinating peach trees on his family farm in Middle Tennessee, he can add developing a new peach variety to that list.
With guidance from Dr. David Lockwood of University of Tennessee Extension and Dr. Ksenija Gasic from Clemson University, the Middle Tennessee farmer has developed a peach variety with excellent qualities.
In addition to a deliciously sweet flavor, the peach ripens early, is hardier than many other popular varieties and has shown some disease resistance. Future growing seasons will determine how this new high-quality peach impacts the market, but in the meantime, with the help of his granddaughter, McClure came up with the perfect name for the new variety – Sweet Joe.
Read more about McClure and his peach-growing accomplishments at tnfarmbureau.org/a-sweet-peach-of-a-man.
See more: You’re a Real Peach: Peach Facts
Where can we get these peaches
Where can you purchase a tree.
Is this a freestone variety and are the trees available for purchase?