Rows of Resources: Corn and Soybean Activities

If you've ever driven through rural Illinois, you've been surrounded by fields and fields of Illinois' top two agricultural commodities: corn and soybeans. Together, these two crops contribute nearly $13 billion in revenue to the state economy. Thanks to April showers aplenty this year, most Illinois farmers will spend the first part of this month planting rows and rows of these important crops, and we will follow suit by sharing rows and rows of our favorite corn and soybean resources!

Check out these fun facts about Corn:

Corn is Illinois' top agricultural commodity.
Most corn grown in IL is field corn, which is used for animal feed, processing, and ethanol.
The world record for tallest corn stalk is more than 35 feet.
One bushel of corn will make enough corn syrup to sweeten over 400 cans of Coca-cola!
An acre of corn will give off 4,000 gallons of water per day in the form of evaporation.

Check out these fun facts about Soybeans:

Today, every Ford vehicle contains 31,251 soybeans in the foam inside the seats as well as other plastic around the car.
Soy ink is used in over 95% of America's daily newspapers.
Decatur, Illinois is the soybean capital of the world.
One acre of soybeans can produce 82,368 crayons.
Illinois is number one in soybean production!

Corn Lessons

Corn is found in more than 4000 products we use every day! Explore this versatile crop with some of our favorite corn activities.

Oobleck (4-8) Corn Packing Peanuts (3-6) Tassel to Table (4-8)

Soybean Lessons

Even if edamame isn't your vegetable of choice, you most likely use other products from soybeans at least every week! Check out some of our favorite Soybean activities.

Beanie Baby (K-7) Soybean Plastic (3-7) Grain Crops "Zine" (3-8)

Can't Forget Illinois' State Snack!

Popcorn is Illinois' State Snack Food! Celebrate this month with some of our nonfiction text resources or scientific inquiry activities about popcorn.

Popcorn Reader (6-12) Popcorn Facts for Little Readers (K-1) Popcorn Farm Bites Dancing Popcorn (2-6) Popcorn Science (4-6)