Why that “Idyllic” Cornfield is So Problematic

By: Rozina Kanchwala

Cornfields characterize much of the landscape of Midwestern states. What many people don’t realize is how ecologically destructive these farmlands are to both the local landscape and also ecosystems that extend beyond these farmlands. 

 What makes these cornfields so problematic?

Destruction of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity 

Grassland and prairie ecosystems, great carbon sinks, as well as plant and animal habitats, were once dominant in Illinois. Today, less than 0.01%  of the original prairie remains and many wetlands have largely been drained to create farmlands. The impacts of this include a decline of grassland species and a reduced ability of these natural systems to sequester carbon. In fact, these agricultural farms actually release carbon into the atmosphere.

Wetlands are great natural flood management systems and because many of the natural wetlands have been drained for agricultural purposes, the Midwest now experiences much more destructive flooding when intense rainfall events occur.

Soil Degradation

We know soil is an important carbon sink and yet with practices like monocropping, which means the planting of the same crop over and over again, we are degrading the soil and lessening its ability to act as a carbon sink. Monocropping has largely replaced traditional methods of growing multiple crops on a piece of land. This repeated process of growing the same crop on the same land is harsh on the soil and causes soil to become less productive. To address the diminishing productivity of soil, farmers increase their use of chemical inputs in the form of pesticides and fertilizers. This in turn degrades the soil more and in a vicious cycle, more and more chemical inputs are needed to keep up with harvest yields. 

A Growing Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico

Because many conventional farms in the Midwest are reliant on nitrogen-based fertilizers, this also has repercussions on ecosystems beyond the farm boundaries. Heavy rains cause run off so these fertilizers make their way to the Mississippi River and eventually pour into the Gulf of Mexico, where they contribute to a growing "dead zone." This dead zone is a 6,300 square mile patch caused by fertilizers triggering algae blooms which chokes off oxygen in water and makes it impossible for any marine life to live. 

Air Pollution

Ammonia in fertilizer is a major contributor to air pollution; the use of ammonia in fertilizers for corn production accounts for 4,300 premature deaths every year in the United States. (source)

Power becomes concentrated in the hands of corporations

Genetically modified seeds are supplied by corporations, who have patents over their seeds. These corporations supply farmers with seeds that do not re-germinate. This relatively new practice of using genetically modified seeds is a departure from years of seed saving as an agricultural practice. Now, farmers are reliant on seed manufacturers, rather than becoming self-sufficient. These seeds also require chemical inputs supplied by those same companies. The whole system puts increased money and control into the hands of large corporations. 

So the next time you bite into your sweet corn or drive through agricultural lands, perhaps think about the environmental impact of these fields and how we can start to shift towards solutions. Land restoration projects, organic and regenerative agricultural practices, and decentralizing our food supply are all solutions that we will explore in future blog posts. Stay tuned!

For middle and high school students interested in learning more, check out Camp Eco.Logic!

For adults interested in learning more, check out our upcoming virtual workshop on Resilient and Equitable Food Systems!