CORN:

Fueling Life in Tennessee

Learn how corn, grown right here in Tennessee,
is fueling all your adventures.

Your Life: Fueled by Corn

Corn farming in Tennessee provides food and fuel while protecting natural resources.

Food

From cornflakes, to steak and eggs, corn plays a role in making most meals possible.

Fuel

Grown in fields across Tennessee, corn ethanol is today’s renewable fuel.

Natural Resources

Corn is grown by family farmers who care for the environment.

Why does corn matter?

Corn is important to Tennessee.

Corn is grown in 94 of Tennessee’s 95 counties.

There are 3,172 farms growing corn in Tennessee.

Tennessee farmers grow 161M bushels of corn annually.

There are three ethanol plants in Tennessee, employing over 4,500 people and adding nearly 240M additional dollars to the state’s economy.

Corn farming generates $636M for Tennessee’s economy.

Corn Means Food

Corn feeds people

(and LOTS of animals…)

The number one use of corn is livestock feed. If you enjoy meat, milk or eggs, there’s a good chance corn makes your meal possible.

Meet Tennessee corn farmer,
George McDonald

Corn & the Environment

Corn is raised by family farmers who care.

Corn farmers care about the environment. They invest in conservation practices to
preserve natural resources for future generations.

George McDonald, Tennessee Corn Farmer

“I feel like corn is very sustainable. We've been growing it here on my family farm for nearly a hundred years.”

How is Corn used?

From food to fuel to more than 4,000 products you use every day, see how corn is fueling life in Tennessee.

  • Tacos

    Americans eat more than 4 billion tacos every year, many of which are wrapped in corn tortilla shells.

  • Pet Food

    Corn and corn gluten meal are the top two most used plant-based ingredients in pet food, providing carbohydrates and protein.

  • Hand Soap

    Everything from the color and smell, to the cleaning ability of hand soap is thanks to corn, which accounts for about 1/4 of its ingredients.

  • Carbonated Beverages

    Corn syrup is often used to sweeten your favorite carbonated beverages, and the CO2 made from the ethanol process is bottled and used to create carbonation.

  • Ethanol

    Ethanol is a high-octane, low-carbon, corn-based fuel that is often blended with gasoline for use in a variety of vehicles.

  • Tires

    Tires are what keep businesses moving. Cornstarch is added to tire molds before pouring the rubber to prevent sticking.

  • Chalk

    Corn is used as a binding agent in chalk, helping kids explore their creativity and making your community colorful.

  • Fireworks

    Corn is commonly used to make dextrin, a binding compound used to help fireworks burn properly.

  • Cereals

    Corn Pops, Corn Flakes, Corn Crunch. Corn is such an important part of a balanced breakfast, many cereals put it right in the name.

  • Toothpaste

    Corn is used in toothpaste as a gentle abrasive to help clean your teeth. It’s also a natural source of fluoride, which can help prevent cavities.

Grown, processed and readily available right here in Tennessee.

Corn Ethanol is today’s renewable fuel

Corn ethanol is a renewable biofuel that’s climate-friendly, wallet-friendly and reduces our dependence on foreign oil.