Corn plastic: Up close and personal
Did you realize that Illinois is second in the nation in corn production? According to USDA reports, Illinois farmers harvested over 2 billion bushels of corn last year. Where on earth does it all go? The answer seems to be everywhere! Corn is used in a wide variety of products beyond animal feed and corn chips.
Yes, we know about high fructose corn syrup in soft drinks, but corn products are also found in products such as glue, paper, sun tan lotion, the ethanol in gasoline, and plastic.
Corn plastic was the star of the show in Amy Knott's third grade class. Students discussed why corn plastics can be a good thing. Corn plastic is made from a renewable resource, while traditional plastic is made from petroleum products, a non-renewable resource.
Saline-Gallatin Ag in the Classroom Coordinator Maridy Tso taught students how to make corn plastic, then they learned how corn plastic can break down quickly when properly disposed of. She also discussed corn plastic products that are currently available on the market, such as grocery bags.
Gallatin County Extension brought in a 3-D printer. Now, you ask, how on earth does a 3-D printer tie into corn? This 3-D printer uses a PLA filament to make the products. PLA is polylactic acid, a plastic made from renewable resources such as corn starch. Youth were introduced to the parts of the 3D printer and shown TinkerCAD, the design website. They also had an opportunity to feel the filament before it was used and watch the printer in action.
In honor of the subject, miniature ears of corn were printed. Each child took home a small 3-D ear of corn from the demonstration. It was a great way to show young people the possibilities that await the corn they see as they travel throughout the area.
Forms and additional information are available at Gallatin County Extension office, located in the Farm Bureau building in Ridgway. Contact Kassy Scates at 618-272-3022 or kscates@illinois.edu.
University of Illinois Extension is committed to a policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, religious creed, ancestry or national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status or physical/mental disability.
Those who need a reasonable accommodation, or special dietary or disability accommodations, to participate in any of the programs may call the Extension office at 618-272-3022.
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Upcoming events</span>
4/1 Hamilton County food packaging event
4/1 Carbondale Citizen Scientist training
4/1 Day Out with the St. Louis Cardinals forms due
4/14 Unit 24 Livestock Skillathon and Clinic registration due
4/22 Unit 24 Livestock Skillathon and Clinic
4/29 National 4-H Day of Service
5/6 Speaking For Illinois 4-H in Effingham
5/20 Day Out with the St. Louis Cardinals
6/18-21 Southern Illinois 4-H Camp (session 1)