Corn Plastic

As the wife of a corn producer (read: farmer), I am intrigued by new uses for corn. Most corn is used for feeding livestock, and this has historically been the case since field corn came on the scene decades ago. Bruce also raises white corn, which gets distributed by our buyer to Mexican bakeries. They soak it, grind it, and make tortillas out of it. Our arrangement is unusual, as direct human consumption of field corn is not the norm.

(A small note here: What we raise is called "dent" corn because it has a big, husky kernel with a dent in the top. This is altogether different from sweet corn or popping corn. They are part of smaller specialty markets.)

Now you may have noticed ethanol trying to make its way into your gas tank. I cannot comment intelligently about ethanol as a viable product, as I do not know how much energy is required to extract the ethanol from the corn. I would imagine it's net zero, plus some job creation, maybe. A great many farmers, however, rally behind ethanol production; it purports to give them job security.

Now on the scene we have corn plastics. Some are biodegradable and disposable (like the clear drinking cups you use at the church picnic); others are more permanent. A sample of the permaent stuff:

http://www.designs2doodads.com/images/Promo_Items/SalePages/QuickPoint/Corn_Mugs.html

I am not sure how corn plastics will affect crop production and the business of agriculture; however, I am excited about plastics that have no memory of ever being crude oil. It may not be a solar-powered automobile, but it's a small step in the right direction.