The idea behind this documentary is quite simple, Ian and Curt, best friends from college were curious about how corn was in their DNA. It seems that corn is in our diet and surrounds us, even you have never eaten a kernel in your life!
The pair set out to plant, raise, harvest, and follow in the marketplace an acre of corn grown in Greene, Iowa. Along the way, they find out that through modern technology, government subsidizing, and even more government subsidizing, that growing corn can be a very profitable business. The downsides, of course are that most farmers don't own their own land anymore, and a result see very little of that profit, and that most of the corn grown in our country is not edible in the form that it is found on the ear, and that most of it is processed into syrup, oil, and other products that find their way into our diets.
One such example is grain fed cattle. Most people don't realize what a problem grain fed cattle has caused in America today, not just for us, but for the cows! Sure they are bred and raised to be eaten, but grain fed cattle suffer during their lives from digestive problems and excessive weight from eating...corn! Of course this is passed on to fat asses like me!
Also the growing of corn leeches the soil badly and dangerous and volatile chemicals must be used to make the soil fertile again season after season.
This documentary exposes alot of little known facts about the industry surrounding corn, and agriculture in general, and presents arguments both for and against the health risks and benefits of having refined corn in our diets. I think it's a must see for anyone concerned about what we are putting in our bodies, government oversight, and our dying heartland in spite of record bumper crops.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars!
until the next time, I remain yours truly,
Gregg Vona
Documentary Movie Sunday
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