CORN
Ever wondered where the sweet corn in the grocery store comes from? Well, probably not from the field you see from the interstate. Sure, Illinois farmers grow the sweet corn you eat, but most of the corn you see outside your car window is called dent corn. This corn is used to feed farm animals, make ethanol fuel for your car, sweeten your soda… and you guessed it, make corn chips. Psst. Corn stalks can grow to be eight feet tall and only have one ear of corn on each stalk.
SOYBEANS
After you’ve driven through Illinois’ farm country, you’ll be able to say, “I’ve bean soybeans in everything from medicines to crayons. there. Done that.” After all, you’ll probably see many soybean fields. Soybeans are bushy plants that grow three to five feet tall. Each plant has 60 to 80 pods of beans, and each pod has about three pea-size beans inside. Soybeans are called the “miracle plant,” because they are so good for you and can be used in many different ways. You can find soybeans in everything from medicines to crayons.
HAY BALE
Imagine mowing a tall lawn and then wrapping the clippings into a really big spiral. Basically, that’s what farmers do when they make hay bales. Farmers grow grass, clover, and alfalfa, let it dry, and roll it into bales that can weigh up to 2000 pounds. Hay is used as feed and bedding for farm animals like cows, horses, and sheep.
HAY vs. STRAW
From your car window, hay and straw probably look a lot alike, but take a closer look and you'll discover some big differences. They are made from different things, harvested differently, and used in different ways too. After watching this video, you'll wonder, "How did I ever think they were the same thing?"
TREES & WATERWAYS
Wait. Don’t forget about that patch of grass in the field. It’s farm-grown too. It is called a waterway and acts like a 100% natural water filter. It keeps topsoil and nutrients in the fields, not in the water. See those trees? They’re filters too, stopping soil from blowing away. Best of all, both waterways and tree lines are homes for most of Illinois’ wildlife, such as rabbits, deer, and wild turkeys. In fact, farmers provide more than 75% of the nation’s wildlife habitat.
PUMPKINS & HORSERADISH
Do you love pumpkin pie? Or how about that tang in shrimp cocktail sauce? They you'll really love what's grown on Illinois farms. Out state produces more pumpkins and horseradish that anywhere else in the world!
