Stories

 

 

Heirloom Corn: Elemental, Sacred, Diverse

Thousands of years ago, indigenous farmers in what is now Mexico began domesticating corn from teosinte, a wild grass that produced hard-shelled kernels on short cobs. Corn (Zea mays) is a cornerstone of cultures and cuisines in the Americas. What is heirloom corn, and why is it important?

Glass Gem corn. Credit: Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co./ rareseeds.com