Corn Craze: A Review of the Role Corn Plays in Life Today

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Introduction How many items in your pantry contain a corn product? Whether you know it or not, chances are that all of them do. When one thinks of corn, images of corn on the cob or popcorn may come to mind. Corn however is not grown solely for those summer barbeques or movie theater snacks. From the edible to the inedible, corn appears in all shapes and sizes. While corn has been around for quite some time; to many, its uses seem unclear. Until recently, corn was grown solely for food. Today, corn has transformed into something much more. Through scientific research and experimentation, many different uses for corn have been discovered. It is no surprise that corn is now heavily depended on. In the US especially, there is a strong dependence on corn. Corn takes up “80 million acres of farmland,” (Avery). The amount of land used to grow corn goes to show how important corn is in the US. Without corn, Americans would lack many products seen and used in everyday life. The US depends on corn because of its adaptability, high yields and multipurpose uses. A Brief History on Corn To understand how corn became a commodity, it is important to know more about corn as a crop. For all its simplicity, the corn crop is one with a complex and deep rooted history. Corn has turned into a commodity directly linked to our nation’s resources and energy. Corn plays a significant role in the growth and development of America as it is known today. When colonist came to the Americas, corn was quickly adopted as a new grain. With England across the ocean, there was no easy way to acquire food. The ability to grow ones’ own crop dictated the death or survival of a colony. Corn was easy to grow and provided a good source of carbohydrates. Corn so... ... middle of paper ... ...n a reliable commodity in the US. The method in which corn is produced may be less than perfect at times, however, corn is subject of interest and will continue to be developed as time goes on. Works Cited Avery, Helen.. "US farmers discover the price of globalization." Euromoney. 01 Sep. 2011 eLibrary. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. Cummings, Hope, Claire.. "Risking corn, risking culture." World Watch. 01 Nov. 2002: 8. eLibrary. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. "Jamie Hancock: Corn has a long, interesting history." Topeka Capital Journal. 23 Nov. 2013: C2. eLibrary. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. Meadows, H, Donella.. "Our food, our future." Organic Gardening. 01 Sep. 2000: 53. eLibrary. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. Rotman, David. "WHY WILL GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS." Technology Review. 01 Jan. 2014: 27. eLibrary. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. Woolf, Aaron, dir. King Corn. Mosaic Films, 2007. Film. 3 Mar 2014.

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