Corn (wāpemen) The Versatile Vegetable

Parts of a corn plant

Most corn stalks are between 6 and 12 feet tall.

The “corn-belt” includes the states of Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Michigan, Missouri, Kansas and Kentucky.

Corn has many different uses.

Corn is an ingredient in many food items.

Corn Palace The building is covered with various parts of the corn plant.

Corn husk-wata͞epak- can be made into dolls.wata͞epak

Popcorn-nānīhsaeh-wāpemennānīhsaeh-wāpemen Kohka͞ewKohka͞ew on the cob.Popped corn-ketāqsiwketāqsiw

These multicolored kernels of corn glimmer like rare jewels.

Indian corn-kekāhtek- can be used for decorations.kekāhtek

Corn will always have an even number of rows on each cob.

The boy eats sweet corn on the cob.

Hull corn- cēhkoweya͞esekwanak on the cob and dehydrated.cēhkoweya͞esekwanak

Cēhkoweya͞esekwanakCēhkoweya͞esekwanak soup Ingredients: 2 cups dehydrated hullcorn ¾ lb cooked salt pork or venison 2 cups cooked beans (red, kidney, or pinto) Directions: Cover corn in enough water to cover and soak overnight. Pour corn in stockpot and add enough water to cover corn by 1 inch. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 1 hour. Add the salt pork or venison and beans. Simmer 1-2 more hours. Check frequently to make sure water covers ingredients throughout cooking process. Serves: 12

Fun Facts about Corn In the days of the early settlers to North America corn was so valuable that it was used as money and traded for other products such as meat and furs. Corn is America's number one field crop. A pound of corn consists of approximately 1,300 kernels. Your bacon and egg breakfast, glass of milk at lunch, or hamburger for supper were all produced with U.S. corn. On average an ear of corn has 800 kernels in 16 rows. Corn is produced on every continent of the world with the exception of Antarctica. Husk (or hull) in botany is the outer shell or coating of a seed. Corn husk can made into rope. Ground corn can be made into tortillas. Mattresses and cushions can be stuffed with corn husks. Corn is a cereal crop that is part of the grass family.

Growing Corn Experiment What you will need: 1. Five to six corn kernels 2. Paper towels 3. One sandwich size zipper lock bag 4. Water 5. Black markers Directions: 1. Wet a paper towel completely, then wring out excess water. 2. Put five to six corn kernels in the center of the paper towel. (Using this many kernels will increase the chances of sprouting.) 3. Put the paper towel and the kernels in the zipper lock bag so that the kernels can be seen. Close the bag and label it. 4. Lay the bag in a place exposed to natural daylight or a grow lamp, where you can observe it. 5. Check on the bag regularly, water the kernels and watch the corn grow. (When the corn grows too tall for the bag, unzip the top.) Developed by 4H Cooperative Curriculum System

Make Corn Putty Play with it like clay, then watch it become liquid again. 1 cup cornstarch 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon water food coloring Blend mixture with fork. It should flow when the bowl is tipped but feel solid when you touch it. If it’s too thick, add a little water. If it’s too runny add a little cornstarch

Author Biography Theresa Carroll I am a descendent of the Menominee Indian Tribe. I am a teacher, and I enjoy the children I work with at the Tribal Head Start program. The pre-school students are precious to me. I am a mother and grandmother, and I love to spend time with my family in the beautiful North woods of Wisconsin.