We know that DeKalb is known for its barbed wire, but it’s also known for its corn!
In fact, it’s so popular, that we even have an entire fest dedicated to this delicious vegetable.
The DeKalb Corn Fest actually started off as a corn boil by Delmonte in 1957 but the fest, complete with music, booths, and attractions as we know it began in 1977. DeKalb Corn Fest Inc. is a not-for-profit organization run entirely by volunteers.
So in spirit of the upcoming festivities, let’s learn a bit about corn!
Corn was first domesticated by native peoples in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago but it is one of the most widely distributed crops in modern day, and some say that it’s one of the most important vegetables in the United States! From food to fuel, we can see corn used in a variety of ways.
Here are a few fun facts about this crop:
Check out these books about corn! Call the Youth Department at (815) 756-9568 ext. 3350 to place a hold on any of these titles.
- Corn by Cecelia H Brannon
- People of Corn: A Mayan Story by Mary-Joan Gerson
- The Life and Times of Corn by Charles Micucci
- Corn Crops by Grace Hansen
By the way… did you hear about the farm dog who liked to strip ears of corn? He was part husky!
