A handful of corn

In his latest column, farmer Clayton Rye explains corn to his grandson, Graham. Along the way he ponders - "Is this what my life is all about? A handful of corn?"

Rye's answer to that question is below.

In some ways, yes, it is. Corn is the main commodity here. The corn bushels outnumber the soybean bushels by over six times. We spend a lot of time figuring out how to grow the most corn for the least amount of money. We also want to deliver the best corn which is why it is dried and stored and yes, checked a handful at a time looking for broken kernels, damaged tips, and fines.

On a day-to-day basis, which becomes year by year, corn is the centerpiece of what we do. I do enjoy being a corn grower and as a corn grower, occasionally I get to show a boy a handful of corn and tell him about what it means. Then, best of all, a boy like Graham understands what it means to have something to care about and pursue it to the best of your ability whether you are driving a tractor or sitting at a desk.

Rye lives on a farm in Iowa where his dad grew up - a farm that's been his family since 1875.

For Rye's full column, click here.

It's a good, quick read.