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Mrs. Houseful Learns About Corn & Soy

Illinois Farm Families Corn and Soy Trip

If you haven’t noticed, earlier this year, I stepped foot into the role of an Illinois Farm Families Field Mom (say that three times fast) so that I could get a chance to learn more about how the food in our state is grown and distributed to families like mine. While I’m still reeling from the Farm Mom’s field trip that I took two weeks ago, I’m learning that I am pretty secure in the choices that I make with my family. This particular field trip, we learned about how corn and soybeans are planted, harvested and what they are used for.

Illinois Farm Families Corn and Soy Trip

We visited the Jeschke farm in Mazon, Il and the husband and wife team were super gracious to us. I know that it must be pretty intense when having to discuss the use of GMO’s in this day and age – and support the reasoning behind your choice. And believe me, the Farm Mom’s didn’t leave ANY questions unasked. We wanted answers as to why SO MUCH of our produce today have GMO’s. Some of us are secure in our choices, and some are still not convinced that this is the way that farming should be going. However, everyone who visited the farm walked out with respect for the way that the farmers presented their reasoning.

Illinois Farm Families Corn and Soy Trip Jeschke Farm Tour

This huge planter is responsible for getting all of the acreage of corn and soy planted in precision. The tractor is computerized AND has GPS so that the ending row  is never more than 6 inches away from the next row when the tractor turns. It was fantastic to watch and I felt like a little kid back when I would watch farmers down in Tennessee and Mississippi when visiting my Granny Blackburn for the summers.
Illinois Farm Families Corn and Soy Trip

Illinois Farm Families Corn and Soy TripOur soybean acre (which is roughly the size of a football field – trust me, we walked it) was revealed to us during this field trip. We were able to see the new soybean sprouts a couple of weeks after they  had been planted.
Illinois Farm Families Corn and Soy Trip

Illinois Farm Families Corn and Soy Trip Oh! There they are! Did you know that the seed shell comes up with the soybean? So those “leaves” that you see are actually the bean being split and pushing up through the soil. Neat, huh? Illinois Farm Families Corn and Soy Trip Here is the beginning of a corn-stalk. Another fact: Corn stalks only produce one ear of corn each. You may be lucky enough to get two ears. None of that cartoon depiction over this way. Illinois Farm Families Corn and Soy TripMrs. Houseful’s Five Takeaways:

  1. Corn stalks produce one ear per stalk. One acre will yield several thousand ears of corn
  2. Roughly 1% of the corn grown in the world is sweet corn. All other is corn used for products such as cereal, meal, gas, and oil.
  3. Illinois farmers are required to have no more than 85% of their crop be non-GMO
  4. Soybean and Corn acres also get their own type of doctor. Someone who tests the soil and makes sure that the nitrogen balance is correct for planting
  5. Farmers really love getting their new seed catalogs just as much as some women enjoy getting their new seasonal clothing catalogs.

I do hope that those of you who are following my adventures are learning something. I sure am! You can follow my tweets @NatashaNicholesand the Illinois Farm Mom’s hashtag at #IlFarmFamilies

 

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HFofNicholes

Thursday 6th of June 2013

The Houseful Reloaded: Mrs. Houseful Learns About Corn & Soy http://t.co/EzwJjQjgZ1

Mayor of Crazyville

Thursday 6th of June 2013

Great photos! That planter was HUGE!! Amazing how quickly that planter can put seeds into the ground while moving at 6 mph.

Natasha Nicholes

Friday 7th of June 2013

I know right? When I heard six miles an hour, I thought it was super slow. Seeing it move in real time though was pretty amazing.

Samantha

Sunday 2nd of June 2013

Love this post and love that picture of us! Thanks for sharing and being an IL Farm Mom with me! :)

Natasha Nicholes

Sunday 2nd of June 2013

The pleasure is all mine. I do love learning about the "other" side of the GMO debate. I'm still stuck smack dab in the middle, but I'm more comfortable making choices now. The picture of us is indeed awesome!

glamazini

Sunday 2nd of June 2013

Mrs. Houseful Learns About Corn & Soy http://t.co/FXz3HYgQkc via @HFofNicholes

HFofNicholes

Sunday 2nd of June 2013

Mrs. Houseful Learns About Corn & Soy #ILFarmFamilies http://t.co/EYdKtAvJZC

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