10 Gift Ideas Supporting Corn
Irshad MD
December 18, 2024
Still searching for the a-maize-ing gift to complete your holiday shopping? These last-minute gift ideas not only show off your holiday spirit but also support corn farmers and their hard work. Whether you're gifting a stocking stuffer or something grander, these corny ideas are sure to spread cheer and celebrate the heart of Illinois.
- Whiskey or Vodka made from Corn - Star Union Spirits or Whiskey Acres are award-winning examples
- Locally Grown Popcorn
- Dog Treats made from corn
- Consider donating to Illinois FFA or Farm Rescue
- Support local farmers who sell flowers, body wash, etc made and grown on a farm like Danndee Flowers
- A good stocking stuffer - Dental Floss made from corn
- Toys made from corn fiber PLA
- Buy an IL Corn Membership to make sure you or your giftee's voice is represented in Washington D.C. and Springfield, IL
- Consider adding to your habitat with milkweed seeds
- Buy a crop top from an Illinois farmer

By Lindsay Croke
•
June 30, 2025
When we think of Independence Day traditions, sweet corn on the cob is as iconic as fireworks and often even more central to the celebration. According to Instacart, purchases of sweet corn surge by 380% over the annual average heading into July 4th, outranking other grilling staples like baby back ribs and burgers. But corn's role in your Fourth of July celebration goes far beyond your plate. In Illinois alone, 8,300 acres of sweet corn are harvested annually, averaging 155 cwt per acre. That’s more than 128 million pounds of locally grown sweetness fueling summer cookouts across the state. And while sweet corn makes a big impression on the grill, most of Illinois’ corn crop isn’t sweet corn - it’s field corn. Less than 1% of the state’s crop is sweet corn, while the rest is used in products that are often invisible to consumers but vital to everyday life: fuel, packaging, fireworks, and even spirits.