I live here in the middle of flyover-land, and I am surrounded by cornfields. At this time of year, most of these fields have been reduced to stubble, but they will be back next year. What we call corn, most of the rest of world refers to as maize, its traditional Native American name.

Corn is believed derived from a shortening of Indian corn and is a term primarily used in the US. One of the three sisters (squash, maize and beans) these foodstuffs, shared as part of the Columbian exchange represent far greater treasure than all of the gold and silver taken from the Americas by the conquistadors. Corn is the world’s largest crop. First domesticated in Mexico 9,000 years ago, its descendants have been further enhanced using modern technology. Much of that work was done here in Saint Louis. This year, I had thought to take drone pictures of the cornfields around here, skimming just above the tassels, but never got around to it. Next year, I hope to make good on this idea. In the meantime, here is some corn related art.