King Corn (Original Version)

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In KING CORN, Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis, best friends from college on the East Coast, move to the heartland to learn where their food comes from. With the help of friendly neighbors, genetically modified seeds, and powerful herbicides, they plant and grow a bumper crop of America's most-productive, most-subsidized grain on one acre of Iowa soil. But when they try to follow their pile of corn into the food system, what they find raises troubling questions about how we eat - and how we farm.

Features Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma, and Earl Butz, former US Secretary of Agriculture.

'If we are what we eat, we are corn--the modern staff of life. In a gentle but extraordinarily subversive narrative, King Corn skillfully takes us through the industrial food chain, from field to plate. All actors in this story receive compassionate treatment--from Iowa farmers and Colorado cattlemen to diabetic New Yorkers and an engaging Earl Butz, the former USDA Secretary who advocated maximum production, damn the consequences. There are no 'bad guys' here. And yet, the net result is a devastating sketch of a food production system that is economically, ecologically, and medically unsustainable. How did we ever get into such a fix?' Warren Belasco, Professor of American Studies, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Author, Meals to Come: A History of the Future of Food

'King Corn not only describes the debilitating industrialized agriculture system in which farmers are caught, it also reveals a food system that is not serving us citizen-eaters well. The 'cheap food' provided by our industrialized food system may turn out to be very expensive when all of the costs are considered. This film will encourage many citizens and organizations to become engaged in the food debate that has already begun in many sectors of our society and to join with others who are already part of that debate, to change the policies which, as the film points out, helped to create this food system in the first place. Everyone should see this film.' Frederick Kirschenmann, Distinguished Fellow, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and President of Kirschenmann Family Farms

'In this well-crafted film Ian and Curt set off to fulfill their 'dream of fields,' by farming one acre of corn in Iowa. They use that experience to explore the entire corn commodity chain from inputs all the way through to final consumption. Along the way they discover the many successes and failures brought about by the dominance of corn as the basic feedstock for most of the foods we eat. Thus, in a straightforward manner the film displays the tapestry that weaves together overproduction, farm payments, ever-growing farm size, rural depopulation, animal antibiotic use, obesity, and diabetes. I would recommend this film as an excellent introduction to any course on food and agriculture in the United States. Indeed, anyone interested in understanding the problems inherent in corn farming in mid-America - in fact, anyone who eats - should see this film.' Lawrence Busch, University Distinguished Professor, Dept. of Sociology, Director, Institute for Food and Agricultural Standards, Michigan State University

'Excellent job...Highly appropriate for courses on the culture and politics of food, health or agriculture.' Deeadra Brown, CUNY, Anthropology Review Database

'King Corn is interested in looking at the problems surrounding the industrial food system as a holistically understood entity. Questions of environment, politics, labor, health, community and policy are addressed. Additionally, the film has a fine sense of history...This documentary has high potential for classroom use in instigating discussions about a range of issues surrounding contemporary industrial agriculture.' Rebecca Onion, Green Theory and Praxis: The Journal of Ecopedagogy

'The molecules in most Americans' bodies come more from corn than from any other source; at the same time that it has made us fat, corn monoculture has impoverished the American landscape more than any other organism. And yet, until the filming of King Corn, few Americans had a means to understand why their addiction to high-fructose corn sweeteners is the greatest threat to their health and to the health of rural communities and their landscapes. This film should be seen by every farmer, consumer and student who still believes that America has been made beautiful by our 'amber waves of grain.'' Gary Nabhan, Author, Coming Home to Eat, Founder, Renewing America's Food Traditions initiative

'The somewhat goofy premise of two East Coast 20-somethings heading to Iowa to farm a single acre of corn actually works, and it works well. Students will be pulled in by Ian and Curt's curiosity and doggedness on their mission to understand how corn becomes us. Along the way, we learn quite a bit about the current realities of Midwest crop farming, decline and resilience in rural America, and the contradictory and disturbing implications of U.S. commodity subsidy policy in shaping the options and outcomes of our food system. King Corn presents a compelling mix of experts and regulars with clarity and compassion. It generates enough laughs to be fun, while also stimulating serious thinking about the important topic of how farm practices and policies influence the food we eat.' Clare Hinrichs, Associate Professor of Rural Sociology, Penn State University

'Brings biochemistry to vivid life. On a surface level, this genial eye-opener celebrates friendship and farming, but on a deeper plane the film laments government largesse and genetic modifications that have turned a protein-filled product into today's 'yellow dent no. 2.' Highly recommended.' Video Librarian

'Students in farming communities are sure to debate many statements and ideas present here. The film can be utilized as a launch pad to research its major premises. A singular addition to library collections.' School Library Journal

'There is so much information in this documentary--history, science, socioeconomic trends, diet and nutrition information--that it will be useful to a variety of disciplines...The story flows along, with the related aspects expertly woven into the main theme and giving viewers both the micro and macroscopic picture of the influence of corn in our life, our diet and our society today. Highly Recommended.' Janis Tyhurst, George Fox University, Educational Media Reviews Online

'Easy to watch and interwoven with quirky animation; recommended for any library, but especially those in areas with a high interest in sustainability and environmentalism.' Library Journal

'No doubt inspired to some degree by Super Size Me this equally engaging, slightly better-crafted docu deftly balances humor and insight...Arresting factoids are delivered by helmer Aaron Woolf and collaborators in a package that's as agreeable as it is informative. Subjects' low-key antics, their affectionate regard for the small-town milieu, some delightful stop-motion animation and an excellent rootsy soundtrack by the WoWz all make King Corn go down easy, even if you might regard your burger, fries and Coke with suspicion afterward. Handsome lensing and Jeffrey K. Miller's sharp editing are also worthy of note.' Dennis Harvey, Variety

'The press materials for King Corn trumpet it as a cross between Sicko and Super Size Me, but the film's protagonists, Mr. Ellis and his college friend, Ian Cheney, come off as genial searchers rather than driven interrogators...In the film, Mr. Butz is treated as respectfully as Iowa's plain-spoken farmers, and the golden fields of corn are shot to evoke their majesty. If the filmmakers are going to point any fingers, they say, they will start with themselves.' Joe Drape, The New York Times

'King Corn is as relevant as Super Size Me and as important as An Inconvenient Truth in the recent rash of documentaries that challenge our perceptions of daily life in America.' The Austin Chronicle

'An enormously entertaining moral, socio-economic odyssey (and statistical bonanza) through the American food industry. Ellis, Cheney, and Aaron Woolf's documentary is clear-minded and fair, but just damningly descriptive enough to leave you distrustful of everything on your plate.' William Morris, The Boston Globe

'Gorgeously filmed in digital video and Super-8, using clever stop-motion corn kernel animation and a lyrical score by the 'anti-folk' band the WoWz, King Corn takes what could be a tiresome agri-civics lesson and delivers a lively, funny, sad and even poetic treatise on the reality behind America's cherished self-image as the breadbasket of the world...It should be required viewing before going into a supermarket, McDonald's or your very own refrigerator.' Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post

'Where this documentary distinguishes itself, however, is in the unusual amount of warmth it lets into the mix. Cheney and Ellis are both funny and completely unthreatening, which does not mean toothless. Like his stars, Woolf treats both friend and foe (including farm-subsidies inventor Earl Butz) with respect, refraining from sarcasm, superiority, or ambush. King Corn insists that we recognize the Corn Belt's beauty and intelligence along with its somewhat self-induced plight.' Janice Page, The Boston Globe

'A deceptively intelligent new entry in the regular-Joe documentary genre...A graceful and frequently humorous film that captures the idiosyncrasies of its characters and never hectors.' Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com

'This is a twofold journey: the story of how two college buddies learned about their agricultural heritage, and the tale of how kernels of corn have insidiously worked their way into America's diet-through the cows who are literally overdosing on the stuff...and the soft drinks sweetened with a syrup that the men find impossible to manufacture in a kitchen without damned near blowing up the house. A worthy companion piece to Super Size Me and Fast Food Nation ...King Corn will put you off corn for a long, long time, but this is as much a thoughtful meditation on the plight of the American farmer as it is a rant against our expanding waistlines.' Robert Wilonsky, Village Voice

'The tale of our number one crop and its most loyal fan: the American consumer...Even if you think you know all the problems, and especially if you happen to totally love corn, this movie is worth your while.' Mother Jones magazine

'The secret history of a ubiquitous grain...King Corn is penetrating and graceful, an uproariously funny and unexpectedly moving look at America's food supply, and especially at the massive corn-farming operations that have come to dominate the placid landscapes of the American Midwest.' The Isthmus (Madison, WI)

'A jauntily hip analysis of the path corn takes from Iowa cornfields to the ultimate ruination of agriculture and American health, King Corn follows in the Morgan Spurlock school with added delight and stop-motion animation. Corn can be funny, it turns out, even if it is destroying us all.' Toronto Eye Weekly

'One of the film's great strengths is the apparent warmth of relationships these guys have created with the locals of Greene, Iowa. Locals think these two kids are a bit crazy to farm a single acre in a place where 500-acre plantings seem small, but are happy to share their lives with them in a very authentic way. To their vast credit, the filmmakers never score cheap points by painting the locals as bumpkins. While primarily about the food system, King Corn also documents friendship. The film is sweet but not sugary, earnest and open-minded, and more than a little bit tragic.' Grist Magazine

'King Corn will put you off corn for a long, long time; that Coke can will start looking like a hand grenade after a while, and, really, forget that burger for now. But this is as much a thoughtful meditation on the plight of the American farmer as it is a rant against our expanding waistlines. Amazing how something so small as a kernel of corn wound up as dangerous as it is delicious.' City Pages (Minneapolis)

'Engaging and illuminating...While there have been good documentaries - Super Size Me comes to mind - illustrating the link between America's infatuation with junk food and the rapid rise in obesity, King Corn takes a fresh angle on the subject...the filmmakers show how seeds planted in soil in America's heartland end up widening Americans' girth - and how much of the food we eat is part of a huge, unseen and not always pretty assembly line.' Meg Jones, Milwaukee Sentinel Journal

'King Corn may take a whimsical approach to its subject matter, the impact of corn on the American economy and population, but it's deadly serious when it comes to pondering its implications. Expanding waistlines, the demise of the family farm, and what exactly goes into high fructose corn syrup all come into play as the law of unintended consequences rears its ugly head, snarls and turns us into a population of corn people. Literally...When stridency can be the easiest path for a compelling film, it is the determination to remain civil that is as impressive as its meticulous scholarship. King Corn, is a bittersweet paean to a lost way of life and eating. While being entertaining and even a little mischievous, it finds perverse outcomes, but no villains. It is informative, without creating partisanship, respectful without being patronizing, entertaining without being dumbed-down.' Andrea Chase, Killer Movie Reviews

'Ellis and Cheney have found an engaging way of getting an important point across: economic forces are driving the American food market and the direction of the drive is not based on nutrition. It is based on cheap food; and the fact that much of that food is unhealthy does not enter into the calculation. Like automobiles, the petrochemical industry, air pollution and global warming, the societal impacts of the corn chain from genetic engineering through pesticides and processing don't get dialed into the overall profit equation. The profit is in dollars to those who invest in the stock market. The price is paid by those who work with the toxins and those who live on the resulting faux food. A fun film with a message, King Corn may be one of those great movies that gets seen most by the wrong people.' Ron Wilkinson, Monsters and Critics

'A funny, charming and informative film that sees corn as the nexus of diet, politics, cultural tradition and what used to be called the American way of life...There are interviews, imaginative graphics and, everywhere, a sense of fun and learning...the film always teaches and entertains in equal, ample measure. It's a treat -- and it's good for you.' Shawn Levy, The Oregonian

' King Corn makes its points without much finger-wagging...It will, however, get you thinking about all that corn, and why such a low-nutrition, high-subsidy crop has become so ubiquitous in the American diet.' Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

'King Corn reveals the surprisingly destructive and direct impact of corn processing on the environment, agriculture, and ultimately, the individual.' Institute for Integrative Nutrition

'A remarkable new film...Not since the Meatrix have food issues so complex been so masterfully made plain.' Gabrielle Langholtz, Edible Brooklyn

'Simultaneously nostalgic and sinister, King Corn mixes full-blown Americana with fast-food follies in the Iowa heartland. By the time this documentary is over, you'll wonder if there's any real difference between 'corn-fed' and 'diabetic.'' John Hartl, Seattle Times

'King Corn is an entertaining and informative look at why corn has become the primary component of the American diet and its impact on the health of American consumers...Highly recommended.' Chris Neilson, DVD Talk

'Eye opening and more than a tad unpleasant...King Corn exposes everything you ever wanted to know about the cornification of the American food system.' GreenMuze.com

'Entertaining and engaging...After seeing the film, I am only eating from farmer's markets and I am reading the labels of everything already in my cupboard. I hope that we as a country change the food we eat and how that food is produced.' Jessica Mosby, The Women's International Perspective

Citation

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Main credits

Woolf, Aaron (screenwriter)
Woolf, Aaron (creator)
Woolf, Aaron (film director)
Woolf, Aaron (film producer)
Ellis, Curt (screenwriter)
Ellis, Curt (creator)
Cheney, Ian (screenwriter)
Cheney, Ian (creator)
Miller, Jeffrey K. (screenwriter)
Miller, Jeffrey K. (film editor)

Other credits

Edited by Jeffrey K. Miller; camera, Sam Cullman, Aaron Woolf, Ian Cheney; original music by The WoWz with Bo Ramsey and Spencer Chakedis.

MARC Record See Worldcat record

Keywords

corn, Iowa, environment, public health, family farms, genetically modified seeds, herbicides, high fructose corn syrup, food system, subsidies, curt ellis, ian cheney, Greene, Michael Pollan, The Omnivore's Dilemma, Earl Butz; "King Corn (Original Version)"; Bullfrog Films

WEBVTT

00:00:04.600 --> 00:00:07.600
[footsteps]

00:00:11.867 --> 00:00:13.867
WE\'RE LATE.

00:00:18.967 --> 00:00:21.967
[electricity crackling]

00:00:27.867 --> 00:00:30.066
[elevator doors close]

00:00:30.067 --> 00:00:32.067
[bell dings]

00:00:44.567 --> 00:00:45.567
AHA!

00:00:45.568 --> 00:00:46.799
HELLO.
HI.

00:00:46.800 --> 00:00:49.132
I\'M GONNA HAVE...
LET ME FIGURE OUT HERE.

00:00:49.133 --> 00:00:50.133
YOU\'RE IAN.

00:00:50.133 --> 00:00:51.133
YES.

00:00:51.134 --> 00:00:52.666
I\'M LOOKIN\' AT YOUR HAIR.

00:00:52.667 --> 00:00:53.667
AND CURT.

00:00:53.668 --> 00:00:54.832
(Curt)
HOW DO YOU DO?

00:00:54.833 --> 00:00:56.166
(Macko)
SO HAVE YOU GUYS HAD LUNCH YET?

00:00:56.167 --> 00:00:57.299
I BROUGHT A SANDWICH,

00:00:57.300 --> 00:00:59.532
AND SO I WAS GONNA MAYBE
EITHER GRAB THAT,

00:00:59.533 --> 00:01:01.866
OR I DIDN\'T KNOW IF YOU WANTED
TO GO OUT AND GET SOMETHING,

00:01:01.867 --> 00:01:04.599
BUT... OR... WHAT\'S YOUR...
AND SO WE SHOULD...

00:01:04.600 --> 00:01:06.532
COME IN AND SIT DOWN.

00:01:06.533 --> 00:01:08.767
I\'VE GOT TWO CHAIRS

00:01:11.533 --> 00:01:14.533
[electricity buzzing]

00:01:16.233 --> 00:01:18.899
(Ian) WHEN MY BEST FRIEND, CURTIS,
AND I GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE,

00:01:18.900 --> 00:01:21.232
WE THOUGHT WE WERE DONE
WITH PROFESSORS

00:01:21.233 --> 00:01:22.532
AND WERE SUPPOSED TO FEEL

00:01:22.533 --> 00:01:25.200
LIKE WE HAD OUR WHOLE LIVES
AHEAD OF US.

00:01:28.200 --> 00:01:32.432
(Curt) BUT WE\'D JUST HEARD
SOME RATHER DISCONCERTING NEWS.

00:01:32.433 --> 00:01:35.933
SOMEDAY, WE WERE GOING TO DIE...

00:01:37.767 --> 00:01:40.466
AND MAYBE SOONER
THAN WE THOUGHT.

00:01:40.467 --> 00:01:42.699
FOR THE FIRST TIME
IN AMERICAN HISTORY,

00:01:42.700 --> 00:01:44.299
OUR GENERATION WAS AT RISK

00:01:44.300 --> 00:01:47.633
OF HAVING A SHORTER LIFE SPAN
THAN OUR PARENTS.

00:01:50.033 --> 00:01:51.900
AND IT WAS BECAUSE
OF WHAT WE ATE.

00:01:54.800 --> 00:01:57.700
(Ian) SO WE STARTED TO KEEP TRACK
OF WHAT WE WERE EATING.

00:02:03.467 --> 00:02:06.767
BUT WE FOUND WE NEEDED HELP
MAKING SENSE OF OUR DATA.

00:02:10.933 --> 00:02:12.432
[microwave whirring]

00:02:12.433 --> 00:02:15.332
(Macko) SO HAIR IS
A CONTINUOUS RECORDER.

00:02:15.333 --> 00:02:18.066
IT\'S A TAPE RECORDER OF DIET.

00:02:18.067 --> 00:02:24.366
AND SO THIS HAMBURGER
THAT BECOMES PART OF MY DIET...

00:02:24.367 --> 00:02:27.833
WILL EVENTUALLY FIND ITS WAY
INTO MY HAIR.

00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:39.167
AH.

00:02:48.900 --> 00:02:50.299
OOH, THERE IT IS.

00:02:50.300 --> 00:02:51.300
THERE IT IS.

00:02:51.301 --> 00:02:52.632
SEE THAT BIG RED?

00:02:52.633 --> 00:02:55.633
[printer buzzing]

00:02:56.967 --> 00:03:00.499
ALL RIGHT, WELL,
I\'VE ANALYZED YOUR HAIR,

00:03:00.500 --> 00:03:01.866
AND THE REAL CONCLUSION

00:03:01.867 --> 00:03:07.532
IS THAT THE CARBON
IN YOUR BODIES IS REALLY...

00:03:07.533 --> 00:03:10.432
ORIGINATES FROM CORN.

00:03:10.433 --> 00:03:11.433
FROM CORN?

00:03:11.433 --> 00:03:12.433
CORN.

00:03:14.867 --> 00:03:17.466
(Macko)
WHEN I\'M TALKING ABOUT CORN,

00:03:17.467 --> 00:03:20.532
I\'M NOT TALKING ABOUT
CORN ON THE COB,

00:03:20.533 --> 00:03:22.899
YOU KNOW, SWEET CORN.

00:03:22.900 --> 00:03:26.966
I\'M TALKING ABOUT THE CORN
THAT\'S BEING USED AS A MATERIAL

00:03:26.967 --> 00:03:31.332
THAT\'S GOING INTO THE FOODS
THAT WE USE UBIQUITOUSLY.

00:03:31.333 --> 00:03:34.632
THE APPLE JUICES
AND THE GRAPE JUICES

00:03:34.633 --> 00:03:37.166
THAT ARE CANNED
AND THEY SAY \"SWEETENED,\"

00:03:37.167 --> 00:03:40.966
THAT\'S GOING TO BE
A HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP.

00:03:40.967 --> 00:03:42.899
AND THEN YOU LOOK DOWN
THE MEATS:

00:03:42.900 --> 00:03:46.499
BEEFS, PORKS, CHICKENS.

00:03:46.500 --> 00:03:47.932
YOU FEED THEM CORN,

00:03:47.933 --> 00:03:50.432
AND THAT GETS
TURNED INTO THEIR BIOMASS

00:03:50.433 --> 00:03:51.467
THAT WE CONSUME.

00:03:54.600 --> 00:03:57.332
AND YOU WALK DOWN
THE COOKIE AISLE.

00:03:57.333 --> 00:03:59.766
(Curt) CORNSTARCH.
CORN GLUTEN MEAL.

00:03:59.767 --> 00:04:01.299
HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN.

00:04:01.300 --> 00:04:02.632
CORN SYRUP.
CORNSTARCH.

00:04:02.633 --> 00:04:06.667
CORN SYRUP SOLIDS.
HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN.

00:04:09.033 --> 00:04:10.099
HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP.

00:04:10.100 --> 00:04:11.100
HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP.

00:04:11.101 --> 00:04:12.800
[laughing]
CORN KING BACON.

00:04:16.133 --> 00:04:18.499
HI.

00:04:18.500 --> 00:04:22.166
FOR AMERICANS THAT I\'VE RUN
THE ISOTOPE ANALYSIS ON,

00:04:22.167 --> 00:04:25.099
THOSE NUMBERS ARE SHOWING
THIS HUGE WEIGHT

00:04:25.100 --> 00:04:27.800
OF THE INFLUENCE OF CORN.

00:04:36.267 --> 00:04:39.267
[wind blowing]

00:04:45.767 --> 00:04:46.932
(Pyatt)
\"MR. CHARLES PYATT,

00:04:46.933 --> 00:04:53.032
\"2637 FLOYD LINE STREET,
GREENE, IOWA, 50636.

00:04:53.033 --> 00:04:56.399
\"DEAR MR. PYATT,
I HOPE DECEMBER FINDS YOU WELL.

00:04:56.400 --> 00:04:59.766
\"WE GOT YOUR NAME FROM
A CORN GROWERS\' ASSOCIATION.

00:04:59.767 --> 00:05:01.432
\"THEY SUGGESTED
YOU WERE THE KIND OF GUY

00:05:01.433 --> 00:05:02.832
\"WHO MIGHT BE WILLING
TO HELP US OUT

00:05:02.833 --> 00:05:05.200
\"WITH A RATHER UNUSUAL IDEA.

00:05:07.267 --> 00:05:08.966
\"WE RECENTLY LEARNED

00:05:08.967 --> 00:05:11.199
\"THAT PEOPLE WHO GREW UP
EATING THE WAY WE DID

00:05:11.200 --> 00:05:12.867
ARE BASICALLY MADE OUT OF CORN.\"

00:05:14.733 --> 00:05:16.832
WHAT THE HECK?

00:05:16.833 --> 00:05:19.199
\"WE\'RE WRITING
WITH A STRANGE PROPOSAL.

00:05:19.200 --> 00:05:21.166
\"WE WANT TO MOVE TO IOWA

00:05:21.167 --> 00:05:24.399
\"AND PLANT A SINGLE ACRE OF CORN
ON YOUR LAND.

00:05:24.400 --> 00:05:27.132
\"WE DON\'T KNOW
A THING ABOUT CORN.

00:05:27.133 --> 00:05:30.299
IT SEEMS LIKE A GOOD TIME
TO FIND OUT.\"

00:05:30.300 --> 00:05:31.332
YOU ALL READY?

00:05:31.333 --> 00:05:33.332
YUP.

00:05:33.333 --> 00:05:38.066
\"SINCERELY,
IAN CHENEY AND CURTIS ELLIS.\"

00:05:38.067 --> 00:05:41.067
[engine turning]

00:05:53.467 --> 00:05:55.399
(Ian)
I\'M MOVING FROM BOSTON TO IOWA.

00:05:55.400 --> 00:05:58.266
YEAH, I\'M GONNA GROW
AN ACRE OF CORN

00:05:58.267 --> 00:06:00.332
AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH IT.

00:06:00.333 --> 00:06:01.832
WHAT\'S UP WITH YOU?

00:06:01.833 --> 00:06:05.066
HOW\'S YOUR HIGH-PAYING JOB?

00:06:05.067 --> 00:06:07.799
(Curt) IAN AND I HAD GROWN UP
ON THE COASTS.

00:06:07.800 --> 00:06:11.899
BUT FOR SOME REASON,
WE FELT DRAWN TO THE MIDWEST.

00:06:11.900 --> 00:06:14.500
COULD I HAVE THE BISCUITS AND...
WITH GRAVY?

00:06:16.333 --> 00:06:17.566
(Curt)
MAYBE IT WAS BECAUSE

00:06:17.567 --> 00:06:21.099
A LONG TIME BEFORE
THERE WAS CORN IN OUR HAIR,

00:06:21.100 --> 00:06:23.100
THERE WAS CORN IN OUR GENES.

00:06:26.433 --> 00:06:28.799
BY INCREDIBLE COINCIDENCE,

00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:30.932
IAN AND I EACH HAD
A GREAT-GRANDFATHER

00:06:30.933 --> 00:06:34.100
FROM THE SAME TINY COUNTY
IN RURAL IOWA.

00:06:43.833 --> 00:06:47.066
(Ian) THREE GENERATIONS AFTER
OUR GREAT-GRANDPARENTS LEFT,

00:06:47.067 --> 00:06:50.299
WE WERE MOVING BACK

00:06:50.300 --> 00:06:54.832
TO FIND OUT HOW AN ACRE OF CORN
COULD GET FROM A FIELD IN IOWA

00:06:54.833 --> 00:06:56.833
INTO OUR HAIR.

00:07:15.567 --> 00:07:18.567
[wind blowing]

00:07:21.233 --> 00:07:24.266
WELL, MY DAD BOUGHT THIS FARM
BACK IN THE DEPRESSION,

00:07:24.267 --> 00:07:26.932
BACK IN \'36, I THINK.

00:07:26.933 --> 00:07:29.599
MY GRANDPARENTS LIVED
ON THE NEXT ONE

00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:31.266
DOWN EAST OVER HERE,

00:07:31.267 --> 00:07:33.132
AND THEY MOVED IN THERE IN 1900.

00:07:33.133 --> 00:07:34.732
IS IT ALWAYS
THIS COLD?

00:07:34.733 --> 00:07:37.466
NO, SOMETIMES
IT GETS CHILLIER.

00:07:37.467 --> 00:07:39.500
THIS ISN\'T COLD.

00:07:46.833 --> 00:07:49.132
THAT\'S WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

00:07:49.133 --> 00:07:50.666
WHERE DO YOU THINK
OUR ACRE OUGHT TO BE?

00:07:50.667 --> 00:07:52.466
[laughing]

00:07:52.467 --> 00:07:55.366
RIGHT OUT IN HERE, AND...

00:07:55.367 --> 00:07:56.399
(Ian)
HOW BIG IS AN ACRE?

00:07:56.400 --> 00:07:57.666
AN ACRE?

00:07:57.667 --> 00:08:01.866
ABOUT HALF... I\'D GUESS PROBABLY
ABOUT EIGHT ROWS HERE,

00:08:01.867 --> 00:08:02.867
OKAY.

00:08:02.868 --> 00:08:04.432
SOMETHIN\' LIKE THAT
WOULD MAKE...

00:08:04.433 --> 00:08:06.666
ALL THE WAY THROUGH
AS FAR AS YOU CAN SEE,

00:08:06.667 --> 00:08:08.199
EIGHT ROWS WOULD MAKE
AN ACRE.

00:08:08.200 --> 00:08:10.399
SO FROM HERE,

00:08:10.400 --> 00:08:12.099
TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE...

00:08:12.100 --> 00:08:15.100
[upbeat folk music]

00:08:20.400 --> 00:08:22.099
(Ian)
GREENE, IOWA.

00:08:22.100 --> 00:08:25.032
POPULATION: 1,015.

00:08:25.033 --> 00:08:27.532
IT SEEMED LIKE
WE\'D BEEN IN TOWN TEN MINUTES,

00:08:27.533 --> 00:08:30.266
AND PEOPLE ALREADY KNEW
WHAT WE WERE UP TO.

00:08:30.267 --> 00:08:32.599
I MEAN, I\'VE HEARD PEOPLE
TALKING ABOUT IT.

00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:35.066
YOU GUYS ARE GONNA PLANT
SOME CORN

00:08:35.067 --> 00:08:38.466
AND KIND OF WATCH IT GROW,
I GUESS.

00:08:38.467 --> 00:08:39.599
MERRY CHRISTMAS.

00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:41.032
MERRY CHRISTMAS.

00:08:41.033 --> 00:08:44.166
YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER
WHEN HE WAS THAT BIG?

00:08:44.167 --> 00:08:45.167
YOU DO?

00:08:45.168 --> 00:08:47.199
I\'M A VERY OLD MAN.

00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:48.632
I THINK HE WAS LIVING
IN BOSTON THEN.

00:08:48.633 --> 00:08:51.032
UH-HUH,
YES.

00:08:51.033 --> 00:08:55.132
(Ian) GREENE LOOKED LIKE
A LOT OF MIDWESTERN FARM TOWNS.

00:08:55.133 --> 00:08:57.399
BUT FOR US,
THIS PLACE WAS DIFFERENT.

00:08:57.400 --> 00:09:02.166
100 YEARS AGO, IT WAS THE HOME
OF MELVIN W. ELLIS

00:09:02.167 --> 00:09:04.266
AND CLAIR EUGENE CHENEY,

00:09:04.267 --> 00:09:06.132
PEOPLE WE KNEW
ALMOST NOTHING ABOUT.

00:09:06.133 --> 00:09:09.832
\"DEAR FRIEND,
WAS VERY GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU.

00:09:09.833 --> 00:09:12.866
\"EVERYTHING IS THE SAME AS USUAL
AT THE STORE.

00:09:12.867 --> 00:09:15.433
THAT 6:00 DINNER WAS
SOMETHING GREAT, ALL RIGHT.\"

00:09:17.667 --> 00:09:20.732
1,000 MILES AWAY
FROM WHERE WE\'D GROWN UP,

00:09:20.733 --> 00:09:24.000
IT WAS HARD TO IMAGINE
THAT IOWA HAD ONCE BEEN HOME.

00:09:25.900 --> 00:09:31.566
THERE\'S SOME ELLISES OVER HERE
IN THE \"C\" SECTION.

00:09:31.567 --> 00:09:34.432
AND THEN THERE\'S CHENEYS
OVER IN THAT SECTION,

00:09:34.433 --> 00:09:37.933
OVER THERE
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD.

00:09:40.333 --> 00:09:42.799
(Curt) IT\'S THE STRANGEST
OF COINCIDENCES

00:09:42.800 --> 00:09:44.899
THAT IAN AND I
BECAME FRIENDS

00:09:44.900 --> 00:09:49.832
AND OUR FAMILIES COME
FROM THIS TINY, TINY TOWN

00:09:49.833 --> 00:09:53.032
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COUNTRY
TOGETHER.

00:09:53.033 --> 00:09:54.699
PEOPLE HAVE MOVED AWAY
AND HAVE FORGOTTEN

00:09:54.700 --> 00:09:57.099
ABOUT THE BASIC TENETS
OF THEIR EXISTENCE.

00:09:57.100 --> 00:10:00.532
YOU KNOW, IF THEY REALLY
COME BACK AND SMELL THE ROSES,

00:10:00.533 --> 00:10:01.867
IT\'S ALL RIGHT HERE.

00:10:05.100 --> 00:10:06.932
THE FARMER\'S
COOPERATIVE ELEVATOR

00:10:06.933 --> 00:10:09.632
IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT PART
OF OUR ECONOMY.

00:10:09.633 --> 00:10:11.666
WHY IS IT CALLED
AN ELEVATOR?

00:10:11.667 --> 00:10:14.032
(Reid) BECAUSE YOU HAD TO HAVE
SOME FORM

00:10:14.033 --> 00:10:15.699
OF AN ELEVATOR SHAFT
OR WHATEVER

00:10:15.700 --> 00:10:18.966
TO GET THE CORN BACK UP IN
SO THEY COULD STORE IT.

00:10:18.967 --> 00:10:20.999
REMEMBER, I\'M NOT A FARMER;
I\'M A FUNERAL DIRECTOR.

00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:22.966
WE DO PLANT THINGS
SOMETIMES, BUT...

00:10:22.967 --> 00:10:25.033
[laughing]

00:10:26.200 --> 00:10:27.200
(Ian)
WHAT IS THIS HERE?

00:10:27.201 --> 00:10:28.566
THAT\'S EXCESS CORN.

00:10:28.567 --> 00:10:31.499
THAT\'S OUR OVERAGE OF CORN
THIS YEAR.

00:10:31.500 --> 00:10:33.199
THE ELEVATOR\'S FULL.

00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:34.966
SO DOES THIS JUST
GET THROWN OUT, OR...

00:10:34.967 --> 00:10:36.266
NO, THAT\'S...

00:10:36.267 --> 00:10:38.632
THAT\'LL ALL BE SHIPPED OUT
THIS SPRING.

00:10:38.633 --> 00:10:40.532
BUT THAT\'S WHAT COULDN\'T FIT
IN THAT HUGE THING?

00:10:40.533 --> 00:10:41.766
(Reid)
THAT\'S RIGHT.

00:10:41.767 --> 00:10:43.266
(Ian)
THAT HAPPEN EVERY YEAR?

00:10:43.267 --> 00:10:45.933
(Reid) WELL, IT HAS
THE LAST FEW YEARS.

00:10:54.033 --> 00:10:56.032
(Salvador)
IF YOU WERE GIVEN THE POWER

00:10:56.033 --> 00:10:59.499
TO DESIGN AN IDEAL PLACE
TO GROW THE CORN CROP,

00:10:59.500 --> 00:11:02.266
WITH ALL OF ITS REQUIREMENTS
AND ALL OF ITS CHARACTERISTICS,

00:11:02.267 --> 00:11:04.900
YOU WOULD DESIGN SOMETHING
THAT LOOKED VERY MUCH LIKE IOWA.

00:11:06.800 --> 00:11:08.766
(Curt) RICARDO SALVADOR
IS AN AGRONOMIST

00:11:08.767 --> 00:11:10.866
AT IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY.

00:11:10.867 --> 00:11:13.532
HE AGREED TO SHOW US
THE PLANT WE WOULD BE GROWING.

00:11:13.533 --> 00:11:18.566
SO WHAT YOU\'RE LOOKING AT HERE
IS A GRASS PLANT.

00:11:18.567 --> 00:11:22.566
SO IT\'S A VERY CLOSE RELATIVE
IN EXACTLY THE SAME FAMILY

00:11:22.567 --> 00:11:25.766
AS THE STUFF THAT YOU HAVE
GROWING IN YOUR LAWN.

00:11:25.767 --> 00:11:27.232
THIS IS OBVIOUSLY

00:11:27.233 --> 00:11:30.167
A GIGANTIC VERSION
OF THOSE GRASSES.

00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:34.832
(Ian) OUR ONE-ACRE LAWN
WOULD BE GROWING A GIANT GRASS

00:11:34.833 --> 00:11:38.032
WHOSE ANCESTORS
LOOKED VERY DIFFERENT.

00:11:38.033 --> 00:11:41.132
NATIVE CORN ORIGINATED
IN SOUTHERN MEXICO

00:11:41.133 --> 00:11:43.099
BUT FOUND A HAPPY HOME IN IOWA,

00:11:43.100 --> 00:11:47.566
A LAND OF FERTILE SOILS
AND HUMID SUMMERS.

00:11:47.567 --> 00:11:50.832
GRADUALLY, ONE TYPE OF CORN
REPLACED ALL THE OTHERS,

00:11:50.833 --> 00:11:54.466
A VERSATILE CROP
NAMED YELLOW DENT,

00:11:54.467 --> 00:11:55.866
WHICH, OVER TIME,
CAME TO DOMINATE

00:11:55.867 --> 00:11:58.467
THE ENTIRE MIDDLE
OF THE COUNTRY.

00:12:00.967 --> 00:12:02.999
(Magnusen) WE ARE IN THE WORLD\'S ONLY
CORN PALACE.

00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:04.932
WE WELCOME YOU HERE

00:12:04.933 --> 00:12:06.732
AND HOPE YOU ENJOY
THE TIME WHILE YOU\'RE HERE.

00:12:06.733 --> 00:12:11.632
THERE WE GO.

00:12:11.633 --> 00:12:13.999
WHAT YOU SEE RIGHT HERE

00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:16.132
IS A PICTURE
OF THE VERY FIRST CORN PALACE.

00:12:16.133 --> 00:12:18.599
IT WAS OPENED IN 1892

00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:20.766
AS A WAY TO SHOW PEOPLE
HOW WE GROW THINGS,

00:12:20.767 --> 00:12:22.633
AND TO GET PEOPLE
TO COME AND LIVE HERE.

00:12:25.633 --> 00:12:27.266
(Ian)
WE HAD A PRETTY GOOD IDEA

00:12:27.267 --> 00:12:31.132
OF WHAT LIVING ON A FARM
WOULD LOOK LIKE:

00:12:31.133 --> 00:12:34.066
DRIVING TRACTORS,
DIGGING IN THE DIRT,

00:12:34.067 --> 00:12:35.999
GROWING FOOD.

00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:38.132
YOU CAN\'T LIVE
WITHOUT CORN.

00:12:38.133 --> 00:12:39.866
I MEAN, IT\'S AN EVERYDAY PART
OF YOUR LIFE.

00:12:39.867 --> 00:12:41.932
YOU KNOW,
YOU DON\'T EVEN REALIZE IT.

00:12:41.933 --> 00:12:44.799
(Ian) THE CORN PALACE
WAS A KIND OF MONUMENT

00:12:44.800 --> 00:12:47.499
TO AMERICA\'S FAVORITE CROP

00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:50.899
AND TO ITS LOVE OF FAMILY FARMS,

00:12:50.900 --> 00:12:54.599
MAYBE EVEN ONE-ACRE FARMS,
LIKE OURS.

00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:57.199
(Magnusen)
YOU GOT TO FOLLOW YOUR DREAM

00:12:57.200 --> 00:13:00.066
AND GIVE IT
YOUR BEST SHOT, REALLY.

00:13:00.067 --> 00:13:03.167
EVERYTHING STARTS OUT
AS A DREAM.

00:13:04.167 --> 00:13:07.167
[snow crunching]

00:13:09.900 --> 00:13:11.900
HEY.

00:13:21.367 --> 00:13:22.866
(Curt)
IT WAS GOING TO BE A LONG TIME

00:13:22.867 --> 00:13:26.899
BEFORE WE COULD DO ANYTHING
WE\'D THOUGHT OF AS FARMING.

00:13:26.900 --> 00:13:28.266
BUT ON THE MODERN FARM,

00:13:28.267 --> 00:13:30.232
YOU DON\'T HAVE TO WAIT
FOR THE SNOW TO MELT

00:13:30.233 --> 00:13:31.900
BEFORE YOU CAN GET TO WORK.

00:13:33.367 --> 00:13:35.566
YOU GOT NOTHIN\'.

00:13:35.567 --> 00:13:39.099
[electronic ding]

00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:40.967
THIS LOOKS LIKE THE PLACE.

00:13:42.767 --> 00:13:44.932
(Pyatt) THE FIRST THING
YOU SHOULD REALLY UNDERSTAND

00:13:44.933 --> 00:13:47.132
IS WHAT THE FARM PROGRAM IS.

00:13:47.133 --> 00:13:50.066
AND IT\'S A VERY COMPLICATED
PROGRAM WE HAVE NOW.

00:13:50.067 --> 00:13:52.866
OKAY, SO YOU\'VE GOT CORN;
YOU\'VE GOT ONE ACRE.

00:13:52.867 --> 00:13:53.932
HERE\'S YOUR BASE.

00:13:53.933 --> 00:13:55.366
(Pyatt)
WELL, HERE WE\'VE GOT A CHART

00:13:55.367 --> 00:13:58.132
THAT SHOWS
THAT THE DIRECT PAYMENT ON CORN

00:13:58.133 --> 00:13:59.532
IS GONNA BE 28 cents.

00:13:59.533 --> 00:14:00.932
(Curt)
IT\'S PAYMENT FROM...

00:14:00.933 --> 00:14:02.432
(Pyatt)
FROM THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.

00:14:02.433 --> 00:14:03.999
WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT,

00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:05.432
IT\'S PART OF GROWING CORN.

00:14:05.433 --> 00:14:08.499
\"DID OR WILL YOU
PLANT OR PRODUCE

00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:09.799
\"AN AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY

00:14:09.800 --> 00:14:13.132
\"ON LAND FOR WHICH
A HIGHLY ERODIBLE DETERMINATION

00:14:13.133 --> 00:14:14.999
HAS NOT BEEN MADE?\"

00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:17.666
SEE, YOU\'RE
PROBABLY GOING TO GET $29,

00:14:17.667 --> 00:14:20.733
SO YOU\'RE GONNA GET $14 NOW,
AND YOU\'LL GET $14 IN OCTOBER.

00:14:22.567 --> 00:14:24.166
I DON\'T KNOW
OF A SINGLE FARM OUT HERE

00:14:24.167 --> 00:14:25.867
THAT ISN\'T
IN THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAM.

00:14:27.167 --> 00:14:28.599
I\'LL GUARANTEE YOU,
IF YOU GO OUT

00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:31.032
AND JUST RAISE AN ACRE OF CORN
WITHOUT ANY GOVERNMENT PAYMENTS,

00:14:31.033 --> 00:14:32.266
YOU\'RE GONNA LOSE MONEY.

00:14:32.267 --> 00:14:33.267
REALLY?

00:14:33.268 --> 00:14:34.367
DEFINITELY.

00:14:43.967 --> 00:14:46.332
(Ian) JUST FOR MOVING TO GREENE
AND TELLING THE GOVERNMENT

00:14:46.333 --> 00:14:48.232
WE WERE GOING TO PLANT
AN ACRE OF CORN,

00:14:48.233 --> 00:14:51.532
WE WERE GOING TO GET $28.

00:14:51.533 --> 00:14:54.767
AND THE MORE CORN YOU GROW,
THE MORE MONEY YOU GET.

00:14:57.100 --> 00:14:59.533
WE SHOULD\'VE GROWN 1,000 ACRES.

00:15:04.467 --> 00:15:06.266
(Dawn Cheney)
I JUST FOUND THIS THE OTHER DAY,

00:15:06.267 --> 00:15:09.099
AND NOW I\'VE GOT
SOMEBODY TO SHOW IT TO.

00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:10.300
[laughs]

00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:15.532
(Ian) IT DIDN\'T TAKE LONG
TO FIND RELATIVES IN GREENE.

00:15:15.533 --> 00:15:19.966
DAWN CHENEY, THE WIDOW
OF MY THIRD COUSIN PAUL CHENEY,

00:15:19.967 --> 00:15:23.599
LIVED ON THE SAME FARM WHERE
MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER GREW UP.

00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:26.533
(Dawn Cheney) THERE\'S HIS PLANE,
UNCLE CLAIR\'S PLANE.

00:15:28.167 --> 00:15:30.466
(Ian) CLAIR CHENEY,
MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER,

00:15:30.467 --> 00:15:33.600
HAD WHAT LOOKED LIKE
A TYPICAL CHILDHOOD ON THE FARM.

00:15:35.767 --> 00:15:38.099
THERE\'S THE SILO,
AND THERE\'S THE HOG HOUSE.

00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:40.099
(Ian)
ON THE OLD CHENEY FARM,

00:15:40.100 --> 00:15:42.999
THEY GREW
ALMOST ALL THE FOOD THEY ATE,

00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:44.232
AND IT LOOKED A LOT LIKE

00:15:44.233 --> 00:15:46.232
THE KIND OF FARM
WE\'D GROWN UP IMAGINING.

00:15:46.233 --> 00:15:48.232
RAY CHENEY.

00:15:48.233 --> 00:15:50.599
DO YOU THINK
I LOOK LIKE THESE FOLKS?

00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:54.032
WHY, SURE YOU DO.
YOU\'RE A CHENEY.

00:15:54.033 --> 00:15:55.066
YOU\'RE A CHENEY.

00:15:55.067 --> 00:15:56.599
NOW THERE\'S THE BARN.

00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:59.899
(Curt) THE CHENEY FARM WAS SUPPORTED
THROUGH THE YEARS

00:15:59.900 --> 00:16:01.332
BY FARM SUBSIDIES,

00:16:01.333 --> 00:16:04.933
AN EARLIER VERSION OF
THE PROGRAM WE\'D SIGNED UP FOR.

00:16:06.533 --> 00:16:10.032
IN THOSE DAYS, THE GOVERNMENT
SUPPORTED FAMILY FARMS

00:16:10.033 --> 00:16:14.932
BY STABILIZING THE AMOUNT
OF CORN PRODUCED EACH YEAR.

00:16:14.933 --> 00:16:19.166
THIS SOMETIMES MEANT
TAKING LAND OUT OF PRODUCTION.

00:16:19.167 --> 00:16:21.732
WITH SUPPLY AND DEMAND
IN BALANCE,

00:16:21.733 --> 00:16:25.332
CROP PRICES STAYED HIGH.

00:16:25.333 --> 00:16:29.066
FOR YEARS, THE PROGRAM KEPT
FARMS LIKE THE CHENEYS\' AFLOAT

00:16:29.067 --> 00:16:32.133
BY LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF GRAIN
THAT GOT TO MARKET.

00:16:34.367 --> 00:16:36.332
BUT IN 1973,

00:16:36.333 --> 00:16:39.532
A NEW SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE,
EARL L. BUTZ,

00:16:39.533 --> 00:16:41.100
REORIENTED THE FARM PROGRAM.

00:16:44.367 --> 00:16:48.499
WHAT WE WANT OUT OF AGRICULTURE
IS PLENTY OF FOOD,

00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:50.099
AND THAT\'S OUR DRIVE NOW.

00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:54.099
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED
A 180-DEGREE TURN

00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:57.199
IN THE PHILOSOPHY
OF OUR FARM PROGRAMS.

00:16:57.200 --> 00:16:59.866
WE\'VE ABANDONED
THE LONGTIME PHILOSOPHY

00:16:59.867 --> 00:17:01.632
OF CURTAILMENT AND CUTBACK

00:17:01.633 --> 00:17:05.632
TO THE NEW PHILOSOPHY
OF EXPANSION,

00:17:05.633 --> 00:17:08.800
AND IT MAKES SENSE.

00:17:10.800 --> 00:17:12.432
(Ian)
ON THE CHENEY LAND,

00:17:12.433 --> 00:17:14.599
THE OLD TOMATO GARDENS
AND PASTURES

00:17:14.600 --> 00:17:17.332
ARE NOW PLANTED
ALMOST ENTIRELY IN CORN

00:17:17.333 --> 00:17:20.132
AS PART
OF A NEIGHBOR\'S GRAIN OPERATION.

00:17:20.133 --> 00:17:24.266
EVEN OUR ACRE IS ACTUALLY PART
OF A MUCH LARGER FARM

00:17:24.267 --> 00:17:26.900
RUN BY ANOTHER NEIGHBOR
NAMED RICH JOHNSON.

00:17:30.167 --> 00:17:35.066
(Johnson) WELL, I GREW UP 1/2 MILE
JUST SOUTH OF THIS CORNER HERE.

00:17:35.067 --> 00:17:38.833
WE FARM THAT UP THERE.

00:17:41.033 --> 00:17:43.399
AND THEN
THIS IS GEORGE ILLINHOP.

00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:45.299
WE FARM HIS LAND RIGHT HERE.

00:17:45.300 --> 00:17:47.332
AND THEN THIS IS MY MOM\'S FARM.

00:17:47.333 --> 00:17:49.300
WE FARM THAT.

00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:52.899
AND THAT\'S OUR OTHER GRAIN FARM
RIGHT UP THERE,

00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:55.599
WITH THE BIG BINS ON IT.

00:17:55.600 --> 00:17:58.300
SO THAT\'S ANOTHER FARM OF OURS.

00:18:00.433 --> 00:18:03.199
FARMERS ARE...
THE ONES THAT ARE IN IT

00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:05.899
ARE GETTIN\' BIGGER.

00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:10.866
YOU EITHER HAVE TO BE IN
AT A PRETTY GOOD SIZE,

00:18:10.867 --> 00:18:15.200
OR YOU KIND OF GET SQUEEZED OUT.

00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:25.766
[country music
playing on jukebox]

00:18:25.767 --> 00:18:27.466
[laughter]

00:18:27.467 --> 00:18:29.632
(man)
HOW MANY BUSHELS DO YOU EXPECT

00:18:29.633 --> 00:18:31.666
TO GET OFF AN ACRE?

00:18:31.667 --> 00:18:32.866
(Ian)
1,000.

00:18:32.867 --> 00:18:33.867
I THINK YOU\'RE DREAMING.

00:18:33.868 --> 00:18:36.467
[laughter]

00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:42.232
(woman) ONE THING I\'VE NOTICED
OVER THE YEARS

00:18:42.233 --> 00:18:45.366
IS THE LITTLE FARMERS
GETTING OUT OF IT

00:18:45.367 --> 00:18:48.199
AND THE BIG FARMERS GETTING
BIGGER AND BIGGER AND BIGGER.

00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:51.532
THE GOVERNMENT
PAYS THE FARMERS,

00:18:51.533 --> 00:18:54.366
AND IT\'S JUST
A BIG GRAIN OPERATION,

00:18:54.367 --> 00:18:57.433
AND I THINK THEY\'RE GETTING
BIGGER AND BIGGER AND BIGGER.

00:19:01.167 --> 00:19:04.499
[man on radio] JANUARY SOYBEANS AT $5.45,
DOWN 1 3/4,

00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:09.166
AND MAY SOYBEANS AT $5.48,
DOWN 1.25 cents.

00:19:09.167 --> 00:19:11.599
[man on radio] THREE FUNGICIDES
AND AN INSECTICIDE.

00:19:11.600 --> 00:19:13.632
WHAT DO CORN GROWERS
REALLY WANT?

00:19:13.633 --> 00:19:14.666
MORE CORN,

00:19:14.667 --> 00:19:16.232
WAY, WAY MORE CORN,

00:19:16.233 --> 00:19:19.366
\"GO WHERE NO ONE\'S GONE BEFORE\"
MORE CORN.

00:19:19.367 --> 00:19:21.466
[explosion]

00:19:21.467 --> 00:19:23.333
THAT\'S MORE LIKE IT.

00:19:25.167 --> 00:19:27.066
I\'M CURT ELLIS.
IAN CHENEY.

00:19:27.067 --> 00:19:28.399
HI, IAN. AL MARTH.
HOW YOU DOIN\'?

00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:29.499
GOOD.
HOW ARE YOU GUYS DOIN?

00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.632
GOOD.

00:19:30.633 --> 00:19:32.766
(Marth)
WHAT CAN I HELP YOU WITH TODAY?

00:19:32.767 --> 00:19:34.566
FERTILIZER.

00:19:34.567 --> 00:19:35.766
(Marth)
FERTILIZER, OKAY.

00:19:35.767 --> 00:19:36.899
WHAT KIND OF GROUND
ARE YOU GUYS WORKING ON?

00:19:36.900 --> 00:19:39.366
IS IT A SANDIER TYPE SOIL OR...

00:19:39.367 --> 00:19:41.066
(Ian) WE HAVEN\'T DONE
ANY ANALYSIS OF IT.

00:19:41.067 --> 00:19:42.232
IT\'S A BROWN...

00:19:42.233 --> 00:19:44.366
IT\'S A BASIC BROWN, IOWA.

00:19:44.367 --> 00:19:45.732
UM...

00:19:45.733 --> 00:19:47.999
ESSENTIALLY THE CROP NEEDS
NUTRIENTS TO...

00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:49.532
IN ORDER TO PRODUCE
THE MAXIMUM YIELD,

00:19:49.533 --> 00:19:51.632
AND YOU WANT TO HAVE
THE BIGGEST POTENTIAL OUT THERE

00:19:51.633 --> 00:19:53.899
TO GET THE BIGGEST YIELD
YOU CAN.

00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:55.066
PAST COUPLE YEARS,
WE\'VE HAD

00:19:55.067 --> 00:19:56.932
PROBABLY 200-BUSHEL CORN
AROUND HERE.

00:19:56.933 --> 00:20:00.099
AND WE LIKE THAT A LOT.

00:20:00.100 --> 00:20:01.299
SO...

00:20:01.300 --> 00:20:03.666
HERE YOU GO. (Curt)
THANKS.

00:20:03.667 --> 00:20:06.099
I LOOK LIKE
A FARMER NOW.

00:20:06.100 --> 00:20:09.766
[air blasting]

00:20:09.767 --> 00:20:11.099
(Marth)
STAND RIGHT IN THIS AREA;

00:20:11.100 --> 00:20:13.499
YOU\'LL PROBABLY GET
A GOOD SMELL OF THE AMMONIA.

00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:15.133
OH, YEAH.

00:20:21.233 --> 00:20:23.466
(Curt) ANY ADVICE
FOR DRIVING WITH THIS THING?

00:20:23.467 --> 00:20:24.467
YEAH, DON\'T HIT ANYTHING.

00:20:24.468 --> 00:20:26.567
THAT\'S...
THAT\'S A BAD THING.

00:20:34.933 --> 00:20:36.132
(Johnson)
OKAY, WE KNOW

00:20:36.133 --> 00:20:41.966
THAT THERE\'S 43,560 SQUARE FEET
IN AN ACRE.

00:20:41.967 --> 00:20:47.233
AND WE\'RE GONNA TRY
TO MARK OUT ONE ACRE FOR CORN.

00:20:50.567 --> 00:20:51.899
SO I PUSH THIS FORWARD?
YEAH, PUSH IT FORWARD.

00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:53.332
I\'M TERRIFIED.

00:20:53.333 --> 00:20:54.967
ALL RIGHT, WE\'RE UP.

00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:58.966
JIMINY CRICKET.

00:20:58.967 --> 00:20:59.967
ARE YOU KIDDING?

00:21:01.600 --> 00:21:03.600
THIS IS TERRIFYING.

00:21:07.833 --> 00:21:10.266
[metallic squeaking]

00:21:10.267 --> 00:21:12.099
(Johnson) WELL, YOU WANT TO GO
ANOTHER ROUND?

00:21:12.100 --> 00:21:13.966
YEAH, BUT SLOWER MAYBE.

00:21:13.967 --> 00:21:15.432
NO, WE GOT TO GO
THIS SPEED.

00:21:15.433 --> 00:21:17.766
USE THE BRAKE.

00:21:17.767 --> 00:21:20.599
HUH? WHERE\'S THE BRAKE?

00:21:20.600 --> 00:21:23.367
ALL RIGHT, I\'M VERY BAD
AT DRIVING A TRACTOR.

00:21:25.533 --> 00:21:27.432
WELL, LET\'S GO.

00:21:27.433 --> 00:21:29.232
ALL RIGHT.

00:21:29.233 --> 00:21:32.766
THANKS LARGELY
TO OUR 150-POUND INJECTION

00:21:32.767 --> 00:21:34.732
OF ANHYDROUS AMMONIA,

00:21:34.733 --> 00:21:36.666
WE COULD GROW
FOUR TIMES AS MUCH CORN

00:21:36.667 --> 00:21:38.799
AS OUR GREAT-GRANDPARENTS
COULD HAVE GOTTEN

00:21:38.800 --> 00:21:43.432
FROM THE SAME PIECE OF LAND.

00:21:43.433 --> 00:21:45.433
YOU GOT TO FOLLOW
THIS LITTLE LINE.

00:21:53.267 --> 00:21:56.199
[dramatically]
STOP.

00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:58.532
ON ALMOST EVERY FARM,

00:21:58.533 --> 00:22:01.499
THERE WAS A TANK
OF AMMONIA FERTILIZER.

00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:04.066
AND IT SEEMED TO BE WORKING.

00:22:04.067 --> 00:22:08.299
ELEVATORS WERE FULL
IN ALMOST EVERY TOWN WE SAW.

00:22:08.300 --> 00:22:09.632
IN FACT,

00:22:09.633 --> 00:22:11.633
THEY WERE A LOT MORE
THAN FULL.

00:22:19.033 --> 00:22:21.033
HOLY [...].

00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:40.866
[Ian laughs]

00:22:40.867 --> 00:22:42.367
THAT WAS FUN.

00:22:54.767 --> 00:22:58.099
SO MINA WALLASER
WOULD\'VE BEEN

00:22:58.100 --> 00:23:01.166
YOUR AUNT,

00:23:01.167 --> 00:23:05.200
AND MELVIN WILBUR ELLIS
WAS MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER.

00:23:06.600 --> 00:23:08.466
THE CLOSEST RELATIVE
I COULD FIND

00:23:08.467 --> 00:23:11.032
WAS A THIRD COUSIN,
TWICE REMOVED,

00:23:11.033 --> 00:23:13.299
WHO EXPLAINED
THAT MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER

00:23:13.300 --> 00:23:15.632
WAS IN
THE FARM MACHINERY BUSINESS.

00:23:15.633 --> 00:23:19.599
(Kepple)
THAT\'S AN OLIVER 70 TRACTOR.

00:23:19.600 --> 00:23:22.599
(Curt) GREAT-GRANDFATHER MELVIN
WOULD\'VE MADE THAT.

00:23:22.600 --> 00:23:23.666
(Kepple)
HIS FACTORY

00:23:23.667 --> 00:23:26.833
IN CHARLES CITY
MANUFACTURED THOSE.

00:23:28.367 --> 00:23:30.966
(Curt) JUST NORTH OF GREENE,
MELVIN W. ELLIS

00:23:30.967 --> 00:23:33.366
RAN THE HART-PARR TRACTOR WORKS,

00:23:33.367 --> 00:23:35.599
WHERE THEY BUILT OLD RELIABLE,

00:23:35.600 --> 00:23:38.233
THE FIRST MACHINE
EVER TO BE CALLED A TRACTOR.

00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:46.100
THAT\'S SO COOL.

00:23:46.101 --> 00:23:47.432
(Ian)
THAT\'S AWESOME.

00:23:47.433 --> 00:23:49.433
IT\'S BEAUTIFUL.

00:23:59.333 --> 00:24:01.132
(Pyatt)
ABOUT 1939,

00:24:01.133 --> 00:24:03.266
JUST BEFORE
WORLD WAR II STARTED,

00:24:03.267 --> 00:24:05.699
GOT AN \"M\" FARMALL
AND A 10-FOOT POWER BINDER.

00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:09.032
WELL, THAT CHANGED A LOT.

00:24:09.033 --> 00:24:10.566
AS THE TRACTOR PROGRESSED,

00:24:10.567 --> 00:24:15.766
YOU DIDN\'T HAVE TO FIGHT
WITH HORSES ALL THE TIME,

00:24:15.767 --> 00:24:18.366
HITCHING \'EM UP,
HARNESSING, FEEDING,

00:24:18.367 --> 00:24:19.932
CURRYING \'EM DOWN.

00:24:19.933 --> 00:24:21.266
LOT OF WORK.

00:24:21.267 --> 00:24:22.533
LOT OF WORK.

00:24:24.867 --> 00:24:27.500
YUP, LOT OF WORK.

00:24:33.433 --> 00:24:35.832
(Curt) AS TRACTORS TOOK OVER WORK
ON THE FARM,

00:24:35.833 --> 00:24:38.733
A SINGLE FARMER
COULD WORK MORE AND MORE LAND.

00:24:42.167 --> 00:24:44.632
FARM KIDS
LIKE IAN\'S GREAT-GRANDFATHER

00:24:44.633 --> 00:24:48.232
DIDN\'T HAVE TO WORK
IN THE FIELDS ANYMORE

00:24:48.233 --> 00:24:50.467
AND BEGAN LEAVING THE FARM
TO DO OTHER THINGS.

00:24:55.733 --> 00:24:56.999
CLAIR CHENEY BOUGHT

00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:59.966
ONE OF THE FIRST PLANES
IN THE COUNTY,

00:24:59.967 --> 00:25:02.132
GOT A JOB MAKING AERIAL MAPS
OF FARMLAND,

00:25:02.133 --> 00:25:06.332
AND SAW FROM ABOVE AS CORN FARMS
GOT BIGGER AND BIGGER.

00:25:06.333 --> 00:25:08.500
[propellor whirring]

00:25:11.833 --> 00:25:14.832
TODAY IT\'S NOT UNCOMMON
FOR A SINGLE FARMER IN GREENE

00:25:14.833 --> 00:25:17.999
TO WORK 1,000 ACRES.

00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:19.599
AND WHAT SMALLER FARMS REMAIN

00:25:19.600 --> 00:25:23.000
ARE GETTING CONSOLIDATED
INTO STILL LARGER OPERATIONS.

00:25:27.367 --> 00:25:30.599
(Elna Clikeman) THERE\'S, YOU KNOW,
AN AWFUL LOT OF FARMSTEADS

00:25:30.600 --> 00:25:32.132
THAT ARE JUST PLAIN
DISAPPEARING.

00:25:32.133 --> 00:25:34.199
YOU GO DOWN THE ROAD HERE,

00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:35.866
AND, WELL, THERE USED TO BE
THE CROW PLACE;

00:25:35.867 --> 00:25:38.633
THERE USED TO BE THE MARZHANS\'.

00:25:39.967 --> 00:25:43.500
THERE\'S JUST SO MANY
OF THE HOMESTEADS THAT ARE GONE.

00:25:46.267 --> 00:25:48.866
(Don Clikeman) YOU GET ALL THE HOUSING
OUT OF FLOYD COUNTY,

00:25:48.867 --> 00:25:50.832
IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR \'EM
TO FARM IT,

00:25:50.833 --> 00:25:51.999
\'CAUSE THEN YOU DON\'T HAVE

00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:53.900
ALL THESE LITTLE HOUSES
AND STUFF IN THE WAY.

00:25:56.767 --> 00:25:58.299
YOU CAN JUST FARM
THROUGH EVERYTHING,

00:25:58.300 --> 00:25:59.699
AND YOU CAN GET
A LOT OF ACREAGE DONE

00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:01.867
IF YOU\'RE NOT TURNING AROUND
ALL THE TIME.

00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:11.900
[wind blowing]

00:26:25.133 --> 00:26:27.532
(Johnson)
IT\'S THE 4TH OF MAY TODAY,

00:26:27.533 --> 00:26:31.267
AND THE GROUND
IS FAIRLY GOOD AND WARM.

00:26:34.033 --> 00:26:35.799
WE COME IN HERE
WITH THE PLANTER.

00:26:35.800 --> 00:26:39.132
WE PLANTED LIBERTYLINK CORN

00:26:39.133 --> 00:26:42.132
AT A POPULATION
OF ABOUT 31,000.

00:26:42.133 --> 00:26:43.133
(Curt)
31,000...

00:26:43.134 --> 00:26:44.700
KERNELS TO THE ACRE.

00:26:54.233 --> 00:26:55.300
CLOSE \'EM UP.

00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:15.799
WATCH OUT, BIRDS.

00:27:15.800 --> 00:27:20.199
[metallic squeaking]

00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:23.033
(Johnson) THAT\'LL TAKE CARE
ABOUT YOUR ACRE RIGHT THERE.

00:27:28.567 --> 00:27:30.866
(Ian)
PLANTING 31,000 SEEDS

00:27:30.867 --> 00:27:34.599
WAS NOT EXACTLY
A HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE.

00:27:34.600 --> 00:27:38.067
BUT THEN AGAIN,
IT ONLY TOOK US 18 MINUTES.

00:27:47.233 --> 00:27:48.799
(woman)
YOU BOYS GET YOUR CORN PLANTED?

00:27:48.800 --> 00:27:50.232
YEAH, WE DID.

00:27:50.233 --> 00:27:51.332
WE PLANTED
ONE ACRE OF CORN.

00:27:51.333 --> 00:27:52.432
ALL RIGHT.

00:27:52.433 --> 00:27:53.932
(Ian)
WELL, WE THINK WE DID.

00:27:53.933 --> 00:27:55.866
WE REALLY DIDN\'T SEE ANYTHING
GO IN TO THE GROUND.

00:27:55.867 --> 00:27:57.066
OH, YEAH, IT\'S MAGIC.

00:27:57.067 --> 00:27:58.966
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING
WITH CORN IN IT HERE?

00:27:58.967 --> 00:28:00.667
[laughs]

00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:04.966
(Ian) HOW DOES LIFE
IN THE BAKERY CHANGE

00:28:04.967 --> 00:28:06.232
DURING PLANTING SEASON?

00:28:06.233 --> 00:28:08.166
WELL WE DON\'T SEE...

00:28:08.167 --> 00:28:10.899
WE DON\'T SEE THE FARMERS
AS MUCH.

00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:13.266
AND... FOR JUST THAT BRIEF TIME.

00:28:13.267 --> 00:28:14.666
IT DOESN\'T TAKE
VERY LONG ANYMORE,

00:28:14.667 --> 00:28:17.266
WITH THE EQUIPMENT THEY HAVE
TO GET IT PLANTED.

00:28:17.267 --> 00:28:19.066
THEN THEY\'RE BACK
AND TWIDDLING THEIR THUMBS

00:28:19.067 --> 00:28:21.933
UNTIL... UNTIL IT\'S TIME
TO SPRAY SOMETHING.

00:28:25.633 --> 00:28:27.633
[bat cracks]
AGH!

00:28:29.833 --> 00:28:32.166
[birds chirping]

00:28:32.167 --> 00:28:34.167
AGH!

00:28:36.667 --> 00:28:39.667
[relaxed guitar music]

00:28:53.900 --> 00:28:57.366
(Pollan) WHAT YOU\'RE GROWING
IS AN INDUSTRIALIZED CORN.

00:28:57.367 --> 00:28:58.966
IT HAS BEEN CHANGED

00:28:58.967 --> 00:29:04.199
OVER THE LAST 20, 30,
40, 50 YEARS

00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:06.900
WITH ONE GOAL IN MIND,
WHICH IS YIELD.

00:29:10.233 --> 00:29:11.566
THE WAY IT WAS DONE

00:29:11.567 --> 00:29:15.299
WAS NOT TO MAKE
EVERY PLANT PRODUCE MORE

00:29:15.300 --> 00:29:21.533
SO MUCH AS TO MAKE THE PLANTS
TOLERATE LIVING CLOSE TOGETHER.

00:29:23.933 --> 00:29:26.732
THIS PLANT IS
KIND OF AN URBAN CREATURE.

00:29:26.733 --> 00:29:28.433
IT LIVES
IN THESE CITIES OF CORN.

00:29:30.633 --> 00:29:34.599
WE\'RE NOW UP TO CLOSE
TO 200 BUSHELS OF CORN PER ACRE.

00:29:34.600 --> 00:29:36.066
THAT\'S WHAT, 10,000 POUNDS?

00:29:36.067 --> 00:29:39.299
FIVE TONS OF FOOD
FROM ONE ACRE OF LAND.

00:29:39.300 --> 00:29:41.933
THAT\'S AN AMAZING AMOUNT
OF FOOD.

00:29:58.933 --> 00:30:01.833
WHENEVER I BUILD FENCE,
I HIT A ROCK.

00:30:06.133 --> 00:30:09.133
[laughter]

00:30:18.667 --> 00:30:20.599
(Curt) MAYBE WE SHOULD TAKE ONE
BEFORE WE GO.

00:30:20.600 --> 00:30:23.267
(Ian) YEAH, WHY DON\'T WE HAVE YOU
TAKE ONE BEFORE WE GO?

00:30:27.433 --> 00:30:28.933
PRETTY AWESOME.

00:30:49.367 --> 00:30:52.367
[tractor engine rumbling]

00:31:03.600 --> 00:31:04.600
HOW YOU DOING?

00:31:04.600 --> 00:31:05.600
NOT TOO BAD.

00:31:05.601 --> 00:31:08.199
GETTIN\' A LITTLE
GREASY THERE.

00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:10.166
(Ian) JUNE IS SPRAYING SEASON
IN GREENE.

00:31:10.167 --> 00:31:11.699
(Johnson)
SPRAYING FOR THOSE APHIDS.

00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:12.932
I WANTED
TO GET THAT CHEMICAL

00:31:12.933 --> 00:31:15.232
DOWN UNDERNEATH THE LEAVES
A LITTLE BIT,

00:31:15.233 --> 00:31:19.899
SO I WAS USING
50 POUNDS OF PRESSURE,

00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:21.332
AND I WAS TRAVELING
12 MILES AN HOUR.

00:31:21.333 --> 00:31:24.032
(Ian) THIS 90-FOOT SPRAYER
WAS GOING TO BE THE KEY

00:31:24.033 --> 00:31:27.066
TO FIGHTING THE AGE-OLD NEMESIS
OF FARMERS EVERYWHERE:

00:31:27.067 --> 00:31:31.266
WEEDS.

00:31:31.267 --> 00:31:33.266
AND THE FIRST WEED
WE FOUND ON OUR ACRE...

00:31:33.267 --> 00:31:34.799
WAS WEED.

00:31:34.800 --> 00:31:36.966
(Pyatt) IT\'S HEMP THAT THEY USED
IN WORLD WAR II

00:31:36.967 --> 00:31:37.967
TO MAKE ROPE OUT OF,

00:31:37.968 --> 00:31:40.666
BUT IT\'S THE SAME PLANT.
AS...

00:31:40.667 --> 00:31:41.932
IT JUST DOESN\'T HAVE THE...

00:31:41.933 --> 00:31:43.466
THEY CLAIM IT DON\'T HAVE
THE KICK TO IT.

00:31:43.467 --> 00:31:45.132
I DON\'T KNOW.

00:31:45.133 --> 00:31:47.466
IT GROWS WILD OUT HERE.

00:31:47.467 --> 00:31:49.232
SO YOU GUYS\'LL BE
HUNTIN\' DITCHES.

00:31:49.233 --> 00:31:50.766
I AIN\'T GONNA TELL YOU
WHERE I FOUND IT.

00:31:50.767 --> 00:31:53.399
[all laughing]

00:31:53.400 --> 00:31:54.566
WE\'LL SEE YA.

00:31:54.567 --> 00:31:56.499
ALL RIGHT.

00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:58.500
CHUCK BROUGHT US
THIS MARIJUANA.

00:32:04.767 --> 00:32:07.832
(Johnson) WE GOT A LOT OF DIFFERENT
VARIETY OF WEEDS OUT HERE.

00:32:07.833 --> 00:32:10.132
WE GOT SOME LAMB\'S QUARTER.

00:32:10.133 --> 00:32:12.032
WE GOT SOME COCKLEBUR.

00:32:12.033 --> 00:32:14.932
(Ian) OUR CORN SEEDS
HAD BEEN GENETICALLY MODIFIED

00:32:14.933 --> 00:32:17.132
TO RESIST
AN HERBICIDE CALLED LIBERTY.

00:32:17.133 --> 00:32:20.132
LIBERTY WOULD KILL THE WEEDS,

00:32:20.133 --> 00:32:23.366
AND OUR LIBERTYLINK CORN
WOULD CONTINUE TO GROW.

00:32:23.367 --> 00:32:24.566
(Johnson)
WE GOT TO BE CAREFUL

00:32:24.567 --> 00:32:26.199
NOT TO PUT LIBERTY CHEMICAL

00:32:26.200 --> 00:32:28.332
ON A CORNFIELD
THAT ISN\'T LIBERTYLINK CORN,

00:32:28.333 --> 00:32:29.967
OR IT\'LL JUST KILL IT.

00:32:36.067 --> 00:32:37.632
GENERALLY, WE DON\'T SPRAY
AT NIGHT,

00:32:37.633 --> 00:32:40.832
BUT THERE\'S A BIG RAIN SCARE
COMING FOR TOMORROW,

00:32:40.833 --> 00:32:42.799
AND I\'D LIKE
TO GET THIS OVER WITH.

00:32:42.800 --> 00:32:44.466
THINK I CAN RIDE ALONG
AND PRESS THE BUTTON

00:32:44.467 --> 00:32:46.499
THAT RELEASES THE LIBERTY?

00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:49.432
UH, WHEN WE GET TO YOUR ACRE,
WE\'LL LET YOU SPRAY YOUR ACRE.

00:32:49.433 --> 00:32:51.433
THAT SOUNDS GOOD.

00:33:10.767 --> 00:33:13.767
[rain pattering]

00:33:21.300 --> 00:33:24.300
[thunder rumbling]

00:33:49.133 --> 00:33:51.599
(Bruce Cheney)
I USED TO HAVE THESE DREAMS

00:33:51.600 --> 00:33:55.632
THAT I WAS FLYING...
YOU KNOW, FLYING IN DREAMS.

00:33:55.633 --> 00:33:57.166
SO BUT IT... IN THE FALL,

00:33:57.167 --> 00:33:59.532
THIS CORN
ALL TURNS A GOLDEN COLOR,

00:33:59.533 --> 00:34:01.799
SORT OF LIKE WHEAT
WHEN IT\'S RIPE.

00:34:01.800 --> 00:34:06.799
SO I WOULD ALWAYS BE FLYING
OVER GOLDEN CORN,

00:34:06.800 --> 00:34:10.432
THE CORN THAT WAS...
YOU KNOW, IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.

00:34:10.433 --> 00:34:12.932
THE SUN WOULD BE SETTING,
AND...

00:34:12.933 --> 00:34:14.599
[sighs]

00:34:14.600 --> 00:34:16.499
[voice breaking]
THE CORN WAS GOLD.

00:34:16.500 --> 00:34:18.967
SO I\'M MOVING BACK.

00:34:26.167 --> 00:34:28.732
(Ian)
IN JULY, MY THIRD COUSIN, BRUCE,

00:34:28.733 --> 00:34:31.166
WHO HAD GROWN UP
A FARM KID IN GREENE,

00:34:31.167 --> 00:34:33.167
MOVED BACK TO TOWN TO RETIRE.

00:34:35.333 --> 00:34:40.466
OUR ACRE STARTS
ABOUT 50 YARDS IN.

00:34:40.467 --> 00:34:43.067
THERE\'S A LITTLE PINK FLAG
STUCK IN THE GROUND.

00:34:44.100 --> 00:34:45.766
(Bruce Cheney)
OKAY.

00:34:45.767 --> 00:34:47.567
SO WHY ARE WE GOING
AGAINST THE GRAIN HERE?

00:34:52.633 --> 00:34:53.832
WHEN YOU COME OUT HERE,

00:34:53.833 --> 00:34:56.432
THERE\'LL BE A LOT OF,
LIKE, YELLOW DUST,

00:34:56.433 --> 00:34:58.232
WHICH IS THE POLLEN
THAT TRAVELS

00:34:58.233 --> 00:35:00.699
FROM THOSE GUYS
DOWN TO THE EARS,

00:35:00.700 --> 00:35:01.966
WHICH HAVEN\'T
DEVELOPED YET.

00:35:01.967 --> 00:35:03.066
THEY\'LL BE, LIKE, SILKS.

00:35:03.067 --> 00:35:04.366
THE POLLEN GETS ON THE ENDS...

00:35:04.367 --> 00:35:07.632
THE STICKY ENDS
OF THESE STRANDS,

00:35:07.633 --> 00:35:11.166
AND IT GOES DOWN
TO THE INDIVIDUAL KERNELS.

00:35:11.167 --> 00:35:13.867
EACH SILK IS ATTACHED
TO AN INDIVIDUAL KERNEL-TO-BE.

00:35:16.700 --> 00:35:18.700
[Ian shouts indistinctly]

00:35:20.367 --> 00:35:22.367
THE CORNER
OF OUR ACRE!

00:35:23.467 --> 00:35:24.467
(Curt)
WHERE IS IT?

00:35:24.468 --> 00:35:26.467
IN THE CORN!

00:35:27.567 --> 00:35:29.032
YEAH, LOOK AT THAT.

00:35:29.033 --> 00:35:30.166
(Curt)
WHERE IS IT?

00:35:30.167 --> 00:35:31.500
OH, YEAH.

00:35:33.700 --> 00:35:37.566
[marching music playing]

00:35:37.567 --> 00:35:40.400
[woman on speaker]
WELCOME TO YOUR OWN HOMETOWN.

00:35:42.633 --> 00:35:43.633
[clunks]

00:35:43.634 --> 00:35:46.466
[cheers and applause]

00:35:46.467 --> 00:35:49.499
(Heeren) WE ARE IN THE LOVELY TOWN
OF GREENE, IOWA,

00:35:49.500 --> 00:35:51.666
CELEBRATING GREENE RIVER DAYS.

00:35:51.667 --> 00:35:55.000
I\'M THE QUEEN OF GREENE, YUP.

00:35:57.600 --> 00:35:59.632
GREENE HAS ALWAYS BEEN
AN AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY,

00:35:59.633 --> 00:36:01.366
AND IOWA ALONE

00:36:01.367 --> 00:36:02.367
WOULD PRODUCE ENOUGH CORN

00:36:02.368 --> 00:36:04.533
TO FEED THE ENTIRE
UNITED STATES.

00:36:07.467 --> 00:36:09.666
(Ian) THE AGRICULTURE
OF OUR GREAT-GRANDPARENTS

00:36:09.667 --> 00:36:12.366
HAD COME A LONG WAY.

00:36:12.367 --> 00:36:14.799
CURT\'S GREAT-GRANDFATHER\'S
TRACTORS

00:36:14.800 --> 00:36:17.799
HAD EVOLVED
INTO 32-ROW PLANTERS

00:36:17.800 --> 00:36:20.799
AND SPRAYERS
WITH A 90-FOOT SPAN.

00:36:20.800 --> 00:36:23.199
AND IF MY
GREAT-GRANDFATHER CLAIR

00:36:23.200 --> 00:36:26.332
COULD FLY HIS PLANE
OVER THE CORN BELT TODAY,

00:36:26.333 --> 00:36:32.199
HE WOULD SEE MORE THAN
2 TRILLION CORN PLANTS,

00:36:32.200 --> 00:36:35.133
THE LARGEST CORN CROP
IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

00:37:07.833 --> 00:37:10.833
[wind gusting]

00:37:21.900 --> 00:37:23.633
(Curt)
WELL DONE.

00:37:27.600 --> 00:37:32.766
CURTIS AND I ARE GOING TO DO
A TASTE TEST ON OUR CORN

00:37:32.767 --> 00:37:34.199
TO SEE HOW
IT\'S COMING ALONG,

00:37:34.200 --> 00:37:35.700
TO SEE HOW IT\'S TASTING.

00:37:38.767 --> 00:37:39.767
(Curt)
IT LOOKS GOOD.

00:37:39.768 --> 00:37:44.466
IT LOOKS GREAT.

00:37:44.467 --> 00:37:47.132
[crunching]

00:37:47.133 --> 00:37:48.599
UGH.

00:37:48.600 --> 00:37:49.600
[laughing]

00:37:49.601 --> 00:37:51.600
IT\'S NOT VERY GOOD,
IAN.

00:37:54.300 --> 00:37:55.466
IT TASTES LIKE SAWDUST.

00:37:55.467 --> 00:37:57.800
I THINK THAT LOOKS LIKE
A NICE CORN PORRIDGE.

00:38:03.100 --> 00:38:04.766
YEAH, IT\'S DISGUSTING.

00:38:04.767 --> 00:38:06.766
IT TASTES LIKE CHALK.

00:38:06.767 --> 00:38:11.066
(Curt) I REALLY THOUGHT
IT WOULD TASTE BETTER.

00:38:11.067 --> 00:38:12.800
IT TASTES LIKE CRAP.

00:38:15.067 --> 00:38:16.966
(Pollan) IF YOU\'RE STANDING
IN A FIELD IN IOWA,

00:38:16.967 --> 00:38:18.799
THERE\'S AN IMMENSE AMOUNT
OF FOOD BEING GROWN,

00:38:18.800 --> 00:38:19.867
NONE OF IT EDIBLE.

00:38:22.500 --> 00:38:24.866
THE COMMODITY CORN
NOBODY CAN EAT.

00:38:24.867 --> 00:38:27.032
IT MUST BE PROCESSED
BEFORE WE CAN EAT IT.

00:38:27.033 --> 00:38:29.599
IT\'S A RAW MATERIAL.

00:38:29.600 --> 00:38:31.999
IT\'S A FEEDSTOCK
FOR ALL THESE OTHER PROCESSES.

00:38:32.000 --> 00:38:35.866
AND THE IRONY
IS THAT AN IOWA FARMER

00:38:35.867 --> 00:38:37.500
CAN NO LONGER FEED HIMSELF.

00:38:40.133 --> 00:38:42.466
(Ian) WHEN WE HARVEST OUR CORN
IN THE FALL,

00:38:42.467 --> 00:38:45.499
ITS FIRST STEP
TOWARD BEING PROCESSED INTO FOOD

00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:48.099
WILL BE A 7 1/2 MILE RIDE
DOWN THE ROAD

00:38:48.100 --> 00:38:49.800
TO THE TOWN ELEVATOR.

00:38:56.133 --> 00:38:58.866
(Marth) SO IN THE FALL, WHEN YOU DO
HARVEST YOUR ACRE OF CORN,

00:38:58.867 --> 00:39:00.399
IT\'LL COME
INTO THE ELEVATOR HERE,

00:39:00.400 --> 00:39:02.466
WHERE WE\'LL PULL IT
ACROSS THE SCALE,

00:39:02.467 --> 00:39:04.132
WEIGH YOUR TRUCK OR WAGON.

00:39:04.133 --> 00:39:06.332
AND THEN IT\'LL BE PULLED
ACROSS TO THE DUMP PIT,

00:39:06.333 --> 00:39:09.300
WHERE IT\'LL BE DUMPED IN
WITH A BUNCH OF OTHER CORN.

00:39:13.867 --> 00:39:16.899
YOUR ACRE OF CORN
IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TRACK,

00:39:16.900 --> 00:39:18.900
JUST BECAUSE OF THE SHEER VOLUME
THAT WE DEAL WITH.

00:39:30.200 --> 00:39:32.599
(Ian) WE WERE STILL MONTHS AWAY
FROM HARVEST,

00:39:32.600 --> 00:39:36.732
BUT OUR WORK ON THE FARM
WAS BASICALLY DONE.

00:39:36.733 --> 00:39:39.066
IT WAS ALREADY CLEAR
THAT WHEN THE TIME CAME

00:39:39.067 --> 00:39:41.666
TO SAY GOOD-BYE
TO THE CORN FROM OUR ACRE,

00:39:41.667 --> 00:39:44.100
WE WOULD NEVER KNOW
EXACTLY WHERE IT WOULD END UP.

00:39:49.300 --> 00:39:51.599
(Curt) AFTER THE CROP IS DELIVERED
TO THE ELEVATOR,

00:39:51.600 --> 00:39:53.766
FOLLOWING CORN
INTO THE FOOD SYSTEM

00:39:53.767 --> 00:39:55.767
BECOMES A GAME OF PROBABILITIES.

00:39:58.733 --> 00:40:02.632
OF THE 10,000 POUNDS OF CORN
OUR ACRE IS LIKELY TO PRODUCE,

00:40:02.633 --> 00:40:06.932
32% WILL BE EITHER EXPORTED
OR TURNED INTO ETHANOL,

00:40:06.933 --> 00:40:11.032
IN NEITHER CASE ENDING UP
IN OUR FOOD OR IN OUR HAIR.

00:40:11.033 --> 00:40:12.466
ETHANOL.

00:40:12.467 --> 00:40:15.266
BUT 490 POUNDS
WILL BECOME SWEETENERS,

00:40:15.267 --> 00:40:16.999
LIKE HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP,

00:40:17.000 --> 00:40:21.632
AND MORE THAN HALF OUR CROP,
A FULL 5,500 POUNDS,

00:40:21.633 --> 00:40:24.400
WILL BE FED TO ANIMALS
TO BECOME MEAT.

00:40:27.767 --> 00:40:30.266
SO WHILE OUR CORN
MATURED IN THE FIELD,

00:40:30.267 --> 00:40:33.466
WE DECIDED
TO LOOK INTO ITS EVENTUAL FATE

00:40:33.467 --> 00:40:35.667
AND TRY TO GO WHERE CORN GOES.

00:40:41.100 --> 00:40:44.132
(Ian)
THERE\'S A WALL OF CORN.

00:40:44.133 --> 00:40:46.166
WE PRODUCE QUITE A LITTLE CORN
ON OUR FARM,

00:40:46.167 --> 00:40:48.299
AND A LOT OF IT GOES INTO FEEDS.

00:40:48.300 --> 00:40:52.399
THIS IS CALLED
WET CORN GLUTEN FEED.

00:40:52.400 --> 00:40:55.399
THIS IS A BY-PRODUCT
OF THE ETHANOL INDUSTRY.

00:40:55.400 --> 00:40:57.799
IT\'S REAL FLAKEY,
AND THE CATTLE JUST LOVE IT.

00:40:57.800 --> 00:41:00.432
THIS IS...
THIS IS HIGH-MOISTURE CORN.

00:41:00.433 --> 00:41:03.999
THIS IS SHELLED CORN
DIRECTLY OUT OF THE FIELD.

00:41:04.000 --> 00:41:08.032
THIS IS THE THIRD PRODUCT
THAT WE FEED TO OUR CATTLE

00:41:08.033 --> 00:41:09.466
WHICH USES CORN.

00:41:09.467 --> 00:41:11.232
THIS IS CALLED CORN SILAGE.

00:41:11.233 --> 00:41:15.532
THIS IS THE WHOLE PLANT
RUN THROUGH THE CORN CHOPPER,

00:41:15.533 --> 00:41:18.466
AND IT\'S
JUST ANOTHER WAY TO UTILIZE

00:41:18.467 --> 00:41:21.933
ALL THE CORN THAT\'S GROWN
IN THE STATE OF IOWA.

00:41:24.900 --> 00:41:26.132
AND THERE\'S THE CORN,

00:41:26.133 --> 00:41:28.199
THE SILAGE AND THE HAY
AND THE GLUTEN ALL RIGHT THERE.

00:41:28.200 --> 00:41:29.266
SO IT\'S
ALMOST ALL CORN.

00:41:29.267 --> 00:41:32.800
YEAH, 60% OF THE RATION
IS CORN PROBABLY.

00:41:39.533 --> 00:41:40.766
LOOK AT THAT, MAN.

00:41:40.767 --> 00:41:42.399
IT\'S LIKE A MOP
ON HIS HEAD.

00:41:42.400 --> 00:41:44.799
THEY\'RE REALLY CHANGING
THEIR LOOK HERE.

00:41:44.800 --> 00:41:47.199
(Curt)
WHAT ARE WE GONNA GET?

00:41:47.200 --> 00:41:49.366
WHAT DO PEOPLE
ORDER NOW?

00:41:49.367 --> 00:41:51.999
[woman on intercom] WELCOME TO MCDONALD\'S.
CAN I TAKE YOUR ORDER?

00:41:52.000 --> 00:41:53.866
HI, YES, UH...

00:41:53.867 --> 00:41:56.166
COULD I HAVE
A BIG AND TASTY SANDWICH

00:41:56.167 --> 00:41:58.133
AND A SMALL FRIES,
PLEASE?

00:41:59.200 --> 00:42:00.467
WHOA, LOOK AT THAT.

00:42:03.467 --> 00:42:04.832
(Ian) SO YOU\'RE A...
ARE YOU...

00:42:04.833 --> 00:42:07.133
WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF
CORN-FED?

00:42:08.533 --> 00:42:10.132
IN A MANNER, YEAH, PROBABLY.

00:42:10.133 --> 00:42:12.266
[both laughing]

00:42:12.267 --> 00:42:15.666
(Ian) WHAT ARE YOU EATING
FOR LUNCH HERE TODAY?

00:42:15.667 --> 00:42:18.066
CORN-FED BEEF.

00:42:18.067 --> 00:42:20.532
DO YOU ACTUALLY KNOW ANYTHING
ABOUT CORN-FED BEEF?

00:42:20.533 --> 00:42:21.732
DO YOU KNOW
WHAT IT DOES TO \'EM,

00:42:21.733 --> 00:42:24.666
TO THE CATTLE?

00:42:24.667 --> 00:42:26.632
IT\'S A GOOD THING
THEY SLAUGHTER WHEN THEY DO,

00:42:26.633 --> 00:42:29.499
BECAUSE IT ACTUALLY
KILLS THEM

00:42:29.500 --> 00:42:30.866
TO FEED THEM
TO MAKE THE MEAT LIKE THAT.

00:42:30.867 --> 00:42:32.399
SO THEY\'D BE DEAD
IN SIX MONTHS ANYWAY,

00:42:32.400 --> 00:42:33.799
EATING THAT STUFF,

00:42:33.800 --> 00:42:35.266
SO IT\'S JUST AS WELL
THAT THEY SLAUGHTER THEM.

00:42:35.267 --> 00:42:36.267
(Curt)
REALLY?

00:42:36.267 --> 00:42:37.267
YEAH, IT\'S TERRIBLE.

00:42:37.268 --> 00:42:39.199
WHERE IS THIS?

00:42:39.200 --> 00:42:42.167
EVERY MAJOR CONFINEMENT FEEDLOT,
EVERYWHERE.

00:42:52.133 --> 00:42:54.199
(Ian)
WE\'D MOVED TO IOWA TO GROW CORN,

00:42:54.200 --> 00:42:56.766
BUT TO SEE WHERE CORN GOES,

00:42:56.767 --> 00:42:59.133
WE WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE
THE CORN BELT.

00:43:23.300 --> 00:43:24.632
HI, I\'M CURT ELLIS.

00:43:24.633 --> 00:43:25.732
CURT,
IT\'S NICE TO MEET YOU,

00:43:25.733 --> 00:43:26.733
I\'M BOB BLEDSOE.

00:43:26.734 --> 00:43:27.832
IAN CHENEY.

00:43:27.833 --> 00:43:31.199
(Bledsoe)
IAN, NICE TO MEET YOU.

00:43:31.200 --> 00:43:33.932
YES, IT\'S COOL TO LOOK OUT THERE
AT ALL THOSE CATTLE

00:43:33.933 --> 00:43:36.499
AND FEEL WARM AND FUZZY

00:43:36.500 --> 00:43:39.000
THAT I\'M FEEDING
A LOT OF AMERICAN PEOPLE.

00:43:40.433 --> 00:43:44.766
OUR OPERATION
IS THAT WE BUY CALVES,

00:43:44.767 --> 00:43:47.299
THEN WE BRING THEM
INTO THE FEEDLOT

00:43:47.300 --> 00:43:51.632
AND FEED THEM
FOR 140 TO 150 DAYS HERE

00:43:51.633 --> 00:43:55.366
AND THEN SELL THEM
TO THE PACKING PLANT

00:43:55.367 --> 00:43:57.132
AS FED CATTLE.

00:43:57.133 --> 00:44:02.232
BASICALLY, 14,000 to 16,000 HEAD
ARE FINISHED HERE.

00:44:02.233 --> 00:44:06.366
WE DON\'T LIKE BEING BIG,

00:44:06.367 --> 00:44:08.799
BUT RIGHT NOW,

00:44:08.800 --> 00:44:14.000
YOU\'RE LOOKING AT A FAMILY FARM
IN YUMA COUNTY, COLORADO.

00:44:16.833 --> 00:44:18.732
(Ian) WE WERE STILL
GETTING USED TO THE NEW LOOK

00:44:18.733 --> 00:44:20.999
OF THE FAMILY FARM,

00:44:21.000 --> 00:44:24.366
BUT THE FARMS IN COLORADO DID
HAVE ONE MAJOR THING IN COMMON

00:44:24.367 --> 00:44:27.099
WITH THE FARMS WE\'D SEEN
IN IOWA.

00:44:27.100 --> 00:44:28.632
(Bledsoe)
WE\'RE A CATTLE COMPANY,

00:44:28.633 --> 00:44:30.699
BUT WE DO GROW A LOT OF CORN,

00:44:30.700 --> 00:44:34.666
ABOUT 7,000 ACRES EVERY YEAR.

00:44:34.667 --> 00:44:38.833
AND IT IS ALL USED
FOR ANIMAL FEED.

00:44:50.200 --> 00:44:52.666
(Ian) THE GRASSLANDS
OF EASTERN COLORADO,

00:44:52.667 --> 00:44:54.666
WHERE CATTLE TRADITIONALLY
GRAZED,

00:44:54.667 --> 00:44:56.532
HAVE BECOME
SOME OF THE BIGGEST CORN FARMS

00:44:56.533 --> 00:44:58.532
IN THE COUNTRY.

00:44:58.533 --> 00:45:00.832
AND CORN HAS REPLACED GRASS

00:45:00.833 --> 00:45:03.267
AS THE PRINCIPLE FEED
FOR CATTLE.

00:45:08.800 --> 00:45:10.499
(Sue Jarrett)
THE MASS PRODUCTION OF CORN

00:45:10.500 --> 00:45:14.699
DRIVES THE MASS PRODUCTION
OF ANIMAL PROTEIN

00:45:14.700 --> 00:45:16.999
IN CONFINED OPERATIONS.

00:45:17.000 --> 00:45:20.967
AND YOU GOT TO HAVE CHEAP FEED
TO DO THE CONFINEMENTS.

00:45:23.833 --> 00:45:25.566
THAT\'S MY BRAND.

00:45:25.567 --> 00:45:27.499
I JUST SOLD THESE
TO THE FEEDLOT IN MARCH.

00:45:27.500 --> 00:45:28.799
[cow moos]

00:45:28.800 --> 00:45:29.966
I REALLY DON\'T HAVE

00:45:29.967 --> 00:45:31.467
MANY OTHER ALTERNATIVES.

00:45:35.133 --> 00:45:37.566
(Curt) AT SUE JARRETT\'S
COW-CALF OPERATION,

00:45:37.567 --> 00:45:41.166
WE SAW HOW CATTLE ARE RAISED
BEFORE THEY GO TO THE FEEDLOT,

00:45:41.167 --> 00:45:43.567
EATING GRASS ON THE OPEN RANGE.

00:45:46.267 --> 00:45:47.632
WHEN SUE\'S FATHER RAN THE RANCH,

00:45:47.633 --> 00:45:51.266
CATTLE SPENT ALMOST
ALL THEIR LIVES EATING GRASS,

00:45:51.267 --> 00:45:54.132
AND IT TOOK SEVERAL YEARS
TO REACH MARKET WEIGHT.

00:45:54.133 --> 00:45:57.066
BUT IN RECENT YEARS,

00:45:57.067 --> 00:46:00.199
CATTLE HAVE BEGUN SPENDING
MORE AND MORE OF THEIR LIVES

00:46:00.200 --> 00:46:03.799
IN FEEDLOTS.

00:46:03.800 --> 00:46:05.499
(Sue Jarrett)
THEY PUT ON WEIGHT FASTER

00:46:05.500 --> 00:46:07.466
IF YOU DON\'T LET THEM MOVE,

00:46:07.467 --> 00:46:10.966
SO TOTAL CONFINEMENT,
LESS SPACE FOR MOVEMENT;

00:46:10.967 --> 00:46:12.632
THEY EAT CONTINUALLY,

00:46:12.633 --> 00:46:13.932
AND YOU GET THEM
INTO THE MARKET,

00:46:13.933 --> 00:46:15.233
INTO THE FOOD CHAIN.

00:46:21.267 --> 00:46:22.566
BUT CATTLE
WERE NOT MEANT TO BE

00:46:22.567 --> 00:46:24.066
ON A CORN-FED DIET
FOR THAT LONG.

00:46:24.067 --> 00:46:27.699
YOU KNOW, WE USED TO FEED THEM
60, 90 DAYS WAS ONE THING.

00:46:27.700 --> 00:46:29.532
UP TO 120, YOU COULD MAKE IT.

00:46:29.533 --> 00:46:32.832
YOU START REALLY PUSHING CATTLE
ON A CORN-BASED DIET AFTER THAT,

00:46:32.833 --> 00:46:36.366
THE ULCERS IN THE STOMACHS
DON\'T TAKE IT WELL,

00:46:36.367 --> 00:46:38.533
AND THEY START GETTING SICK.

00:46:47.533 --> 00:46:52.000
SO THIS IS JUST
A HOLE IN THE STOMACH HERE?

00:46:53.767 --> 00:46:57.266
[air sucking]

00:46:57.267 --> 00:46:58.566
SCIENTISTS RESEARCHING

00:46:58.567 --> 00:47:01.032
THE EFFECTS OF FEEDING CORN
TO CATTLE

00:47:01.033 --> 00:47:02.066
HAVE DEVELOPED A METHOD

00:47:02.067 --> 00:47:03.832
OF LOOKING INTO
THEIR ACTUAL STOMACHS

00:47:03.833 --> 00:47:05.666
DURING DIGESTION.

00:47:05.667 --> 00:47:08.333
IT\'S VERY WARM,
AND IT\'S PRETTY PACKED IN THERE.

00:47:12.100 --> 00:47:18.099
(Trenkle) 100 YEARS AGO, MOST CATTLE
PROBABLY WERE FED GRASS, HAY,

00:47:18.100 --> 00:47:20.099
AND THEY WERE OUT GRAZING.

00:47:20.100 --> 00:47:23.866
WE\'VE GONE
FROM REALLY FEEDING NO GRAIN

00:47:23.867 --> 00:47:30.067
TO RATIONS NOW
THAT CONTAIN UP TO 90% GRAIN.

00:47:31.433 --> 00:47:34.266
BUT THESE ANIMALS EVOLVED
NOT IN FEEDING

00:47:34.267 --> 00:47:37.832
THESE HIGH STARCH
OR THINGS LIKE CORN.

00:47:37.833 --> 00:47:40.199
WHEN YOU FEED A LOT OF CORN,
MORE ACID IS PRODUCED,

00:47:40.200 --> 00:47:42.467
AND THE ANIMAL CAN GET
INTO TROUBLE.

00:47:44.400 --> 00:47:47.699
CORN IN THIS ENVIRONMENT
PRODUCES THESE ACIDS,

00:47:47.700 --> 00:47:50.766
THE pH DROPS,
AND THEN THEY SUCCUMB

00:47:50.767 --> 00:47:53.799
TO A CONDITION WE CALL ACIDOSIS.

00:47:53.800 --> 00:47:57.600
AND IF IT\'S NOT TREATED,
THE ANIMAL DIES.

00:48:01.767 --> 00:48:04.532
(Curt) THE CORN FED TO CATTLE
IS SUPPLEMENTED WITH LOW DOSES

00:48:04.533 --> 00:48:08.332
OF ANTIBIOTICS THAT HELP THEM
COMBAT ACIDOSIS.

00:48:08.333 --> 00:48:09.732
LIVESTOCK NOW CONSUME

00:48:09.733 --> 00:48:14.666
70% OF THE ANTIBIOTICS
IN THE UNITED STATES.

00:48:14.667 --> 00:48:16.532
BUT ANTIBIOTICS ALSO HELP CATTLE

00:48:16.533 --> 00:48:18.733
SURVIVE THE CONDITIONS
OF CONFINEMENT.

00:48:21.700 --> 00:48:25.166
THIS FACILITY, WITH MORE THAN
100,000 HEAD OF CATTLE,

00:48:25.167 --> 00:48:31.132
PRODUCES AS MUCH WASTE
AS A CITY OF 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE.

00:48:31.133 --> 00:48:34.632
(Trenkle) A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOK
AT THESE LARGE FEEDLOTS NOW

00:48:34.633 --> 00:48:37.632
AND QUESTION WHETHER
THAT\'S WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING.

00:48:37.633 --> 00:48:42.699
BUT THE REASON THAT IT\'S DONE...
IT\'S ALL... IT\'S ECONOMIC.

00:48:42.700 --> 00:48:45.466
AND BECAUSE OF THE YIELDS
ON CORN

00:48:45.467 --> 00:48:46.766
AND THE AMOUNT PRODUCED

00:48:46.767 --> 00:48:50.332
AND THE EFFICIENCY
OF PRODUCING CORN,

00:48:50.333 --> 00:48:54.667
IT\'S LOWER COST PER UNIT
OF USABLE ENERGY TO THE ANIMAL.

00:48:59.733 --> 00:49:01.966
(Ian)
DURING THE LAST 30 YEARS,

00:49:01.967 --> 00:49:06.299
CORN HARVESTS
HAVE INCREASED DRAMATICALLY,

00:49:06.300 --> 00:49:10.367
AND THE PRICE OF CORN
IN REAL DOLLARS HAS DROPPED.

00:49:14.267 --> 00:49:17.066
LARGELY THANKS
TO A READY SUPPLY OF CHEAP CORN,

00:49:17.067 --> 00:49:18.766
EASTERN COLORADO IS NOW HOME

00:49:18.767 --> 00:49:21.433
TO SOME OF THE BIGGEST FEEDLOTS
IN THE WORLD.

00:49:25.100 --> 00:49:27.032
(Cordain) THE MEAT THAT WE EAT
IN THIS DAY AND AGE

00:49:27.033 --> 00:49:28.766
IS PRODUCED IN A FEEDLOT.

00:49:28.767 --> 00:49:30.866
IT\'S GRAIN-FED MEAT.

00:49:30.867 --> 00:49:31.867
AND WE PRODUCE

00:49:31.868 --> 00:49:35.599
A CHARACTERISTICALLY OBESE
ANIMAL,

00:49:35.600 --> 00:49:40.299
AN ANIMAL WHOSE MUSCLE TISSUE
LOOKS MORE LIKE FAT TISSUE

00:49:40.300 --> 00:49:43.432
THAN IT DOES
LEAN MEAT IN WILD ANIMALS.

00:49:43.433 --> 00:49:46.066
AND IF YOU LOOK
AT A T-BONE STEAK

00:49:46.067 --> 00:49:47.532
FROM A GRAIN-FED COW,

00:49:47.533 --> 00:49:52.132
IT MAY HAVE AS MUCH AS 9 GRAMS
OF SATURATED FAT,

00:49:52.133 --> 00:49:54.332
WHEREAS A COMPARABLE STEAK
FROM A GRASS-FED ANIMAL

00:49:54.333 --> 00:49:57.532
WOULD HAVE 1.3 GRAMS
OF SATURATED FAT.

00:49:57.533 --> 00:49:59.766
[cow moos]

00:49:59.767 --> 00:50:03.167
AND SO THIS IS THE MEAT
THAT WE EAT IN AMERICA.

00:50:08.733 --> 00:50:12.999
AMERICA\'S FAVORITE MEAT
IS GROUND BEEF, HAMBURGER MEAT.

00:50:13.000 --> 00:50:18.332
COULD I HAVE
THE BACON CHEESEBURGER?

00:50:18.333 --> 00:50:21.266
(Cordain) AND HAMBURGER MEAT
IS REALLY NOT MEAT,

00:50:21.267 --> 00:50:24.033
BUT IT\'S RATHER
FAT DISGUISED AS MEAT.

00:50:25.667 --> 00:50:30.267
IT CONTAINS 65% OF ITS CALORIES
BY ENERGY AS FAT.

00:50:32.367 --> 00:50:33.367
OH, MY GOD.

00:50:33.368 --> 00:50:35.567
THAT\'S GREAT.

00:50:37.700 --> 00:50:39.399
(Ian) IT WAS STARTING TO MAKE
A LOT OF SENSE

00:50:39.400 --> 00:50:41.667
WHY CURT AND I HAD FOUND CORN
IN OUR HAIR.

00:50:44.267 --> 00:50:47.399
AMERICA\'S FAVORITE MEAT
HAPPENED TO BE OUR FAVORITE TOO.

00:50:47.400 --> 00:50:49.666
[sizzling]

00:50:49.667 --> 00:50:53.500
BURGERS MADE FROM CORN-FED BEEF
ARE CHEAP AND EASY TO FIND.

00:50:55.800 --> 00:50:59.466
IN FACT, IF YOU WERE BORN
IN THE LAST 30 YEARS IN AMERICA,

00:50:59.467 --> 00:51:02.800
CHANCES ARE, YOU\'VE ONLY EVER
TASTED CORN-FED BEEF.

00:51:05.700 --> 00:51:08.200
[sizzling]

00:51:09.467 --> 00:51:10.832
(Bledsoe)
IF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

00:51:10.833 --> 00:51:13.499
WANTED STRICTLY GRASS-FED BEEF,

00:51:13.500 --> 00:51:16.332
WE WOULD PRODUCE
GRASS-FED BEEF FOR THEM.

00:51:16.333 --> 00:51:18.099
[cows mooing]

00:51:18.100 --> 00:51:21.132
BUT IT\'S DEFINITELY
MORE EXPENSIVE,

00:51:21.133 --> 00:51:22.899
AND ONE OF THE TENETS IN AMERICA

00:51:22.900 --> 00:51:26.300
IS, AMERICA WANTS AND DEMANDS
CHEAP FOOD.

00:51:27.733 --> 00:51:30.733
[pensive acoustic guitar music]

00:51:35.900 --> 00:51:38.900
[cows mooing]

00:52:01.400 --> 00:52:04.400
[bell dinging]

00:52:11.067 --> 00:52:14.066
[engine revving]

00:52:14.067 --> 00:52:17.067
[beeping]

00:52:30.767 --> 00:52:32.266
(Bruce Cheney)
ONE OF THE REASONS

00:52:32.267 --> 00:52:33.432
I MOVED BACK TO IOWA

00:52:33.433 --> 00:52:37.032
IS BECAUSE I LIKED
AND I REMEMBERED

00:52:37.033 --> 00:52:39.299
WHAT IT WAS LIKE
WHEN I WAS A KID.

00:52:39.300 --> 00:52:41.499
AND THIS WAS SO HOMEY

00:52:41.500 --> 00:52:43.399
TO HAVE THIS LITTLE
WOODEN BUILDING.

00:52:43.400 --> 00:52:45.899
AND THAT WAS... THAT TINY,
LITTLE WOODEN BUILDING

00:52:45.900 --> 00:52:47.966
WAS ENOUGH
TO STORE ALL THE CROPS

00:52:47.967 --> 00:52:49.300
OF THE PEOPLE AROUND HERE.

00:53:04.467 --> 00:53:06.032
(Curt)
GREENE\'S OLD GRAIN ELEVATOR,

00:53:06.033 --> 00:53:08.066
WHICH WAS BUILT
IN OUR GREAT-GRANDFATHERS\' TIME,

00:53:08.067 --> 00:53:12.267
HAD BECOME OBSOLETE
AND WAS BEING BURNED DOWN.

00:53:18.000 --> 00:53:21.000
[fire crackling]

00:53:27.700 --> 00:53:31.232
IT USED TO ALL FIT
IN THAT SMALL WOODEN BUILDING,

00:53:31.233 --> 00:53:32.832
AND NOW IT, YOU KNOW...

00:53:32.833 --> 00:53:36.466
IT DOESN\'T EVEN FIT
INTO THE HUGE CONCRETE STRUCTURE

00:53:36.467 --> 00:53:37.800
THAT WE HAVE OVER THERE.

00:53:39.667 --> 00:53:42.666
THE AMOUNT OF ACREAGE
HAS GONE UP,

00:53:42.667 --> 00:53:47.666
AND THEN PRODUCTIVITY PER ACRE
HAS GONE UP,

00:53:47.667 --> 00:53:49.999
SO THE AMOUNT OF PRODUCTION,
IT\'S JUST INCREDIBLE.

00:53:50.000 --> 00:53:53.000
[bell dinging]

00:53:59.467 --> 00:54:00.866
(Curt)
THE CORN FROM OUR ACRE

00:54:00.867 --> 00:54:02.699
WOULD ALL GO
TO GREENE\'S CONCRETE ELEVATOR,

00:54:02.700 --> 00:54:05.932
WHICH WAS BUILT IN THE 1970s,

00:54:05.933 --> 00:54:09.166
A TIME OF DRAMATIC INCREASES
IN CORN HARVESTS.

00:54:09.167 --> 00:54:10.599
(Cook)
AFTER DECADES

00:54:10.600 --> 00:54:14.499
OF SUBSIDY PROGRAMS AND ALL
THESE INCREDIBLE REGULATIONS

00:54:14.500 --> 00:54:17.132
ON WHAT FARMERS COULD GROW
AND HOW MUCH AND WHERE,

00:54:17.133 --> 00:54:20.932
THE GOVERNMENT WAS SAYING,
\"IT\'S ALL OVER.

00:54:20.933 --> 00:54:21.999
\"GROW YOUR OPERATION.

00:54:22.000 --> 00:54:23.332
\"YOU\'VE GOT TO PLANT MORE LAND.

00:54:23.333 --> 00:54:26.899
\"PLANT FENCEROW TO FENCEROW,
BOYS.

00:54:26.900 --> 00:54:30.133
AND BUY OUT YOUR NEIGHBOR
IF HE\'S NOT WILLING TO GROW.\"

00:54:37.667 --> 00:54:40.066
AND WHEN WE HAD
SO MUCH SURPLUS CORN

00:54:40.067 --> 00:54:41.366
AND THERE WAS SUCH AN INTEREST

00:54:41.367 --> 00:54:44.999
IN TRYING TO DERIVE
THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT OUT OF IT,

00:54:45.000 --> 00:54:46.399
INVESTMENT WAS MADE

00:54:46.400 --> 00:54:49.100
TO DEVELOP
THIS CORN SWEETENER INDUSTRY.

00:54:58.833 --> 00:55:00.066
[dial tone]

00:55:00.067 --> 00:55:03.067
[dial pad beeping]

00:55:04.533 --> 00:55:05.666
[line ringing]

00:55:05.667 --> 00:55:07.466
I WAS WONDERING
IF IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE

00:55:07.467 --> 00:55:10.499
TO VISIT A CORN SYRUP FACTORY
SOMETIME.

00:55:10.500 --> 00:55:13.466
[man over phone]
VISIT IN WHAT SENSE?

00:55:13.467 --> 00:55:15.666
[man over answering machine] CURT,
SORRY I DIDN\'T GET BACK TO YOU SOONER.

00:55:15.667 --> 00:55:16.999
I\'VE BEEN IN AND OUT
OF THE OFFICE.

00:55:17.000 --> 00:55:18.666
[woman over phone]
TALKING ON-CAMERA, OFF-CAMERA?

00:55:18.667 --> 00:55:20.399
ON-CAMERA.

00:55:20.400 --> 00:55:22.600
[man over phone] WE DON\'T ALLOW CAMERAS
INTO THE PLANTS.

00:55:24.867 --> 00:55:26.567
(Curt)
OH, YEAH, LOOK AT THAT.

00:55:29.833 --> 00:55:35.066
(Erickson) THE REAL REASON
FOR THE SECURITY OF THESE PLANTS

00:55:35.067 --> 00:55:37.299
AND FOOD PROCESSING
FACILITIES

00:55:37.300 --> 00:55:38.966
IS AS MUCH ABOUT THE SECURITY

00:55:38.967 --> 00:55:43.633
OF THE FOOD THAT\'S BEING CREATED
AS IT IS YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY.

00:55:44.767 --> 00:55:47.199
[line ringing]

00:55:47.200 --> 00:55:48.766
I WAS WONDERING
WHETHER IT\'S POSSIBLE

00:55:48.767 --> 00:55:54.299
TO MAKE HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP
IN MY HOME.

00:55:54.300 --> 00:55:55.632
[man over phone]
WELL, UM.

00:55:55.633 --> 00:55:57.732
YOU\'RE GONNA WANT
15.5% DRIED MOISTURE...

00:55:57.733 --> 00:55:59.399
HOW EFFICIENT
YOUR SEPARATIONS ARE...

00:55:59.400 --> 00:56:00.732
MAKE IT ACIDIC.

00:56:00.733 --> 00:56:02.199
SEPARATE IT
IN THE WET-MILLING PROCESS.

00:56:02.200 --> 00:56:04.199
1% DIVIDED BY 50.
LEAVE IT THERE FOR A WHILE.

00:56:04.200 --> 00:56:05.699
COUNTERFLOW WATER WASH ON IT.

00:56:05.700 --> 00:56:07.032
AND ONCE YOU POUR OFF
ALL THAT CRAP

00:56:07.033 --> 00:56:08.399
THAT YOU\'RE GONNA DO
ON THE BOTTOM,

00:56:08.400 --> 00:56:09.400
YOU\'RE GONNA
HAVE TO ADD WATER IN, YUP.

00:56:09.401 --> 00:56:10.899
OKAY, THANKS SO MUCH.

00:56:10.900 --> 00:56:13.766
TAKE CARE.
BYE.

00:56:13.767 --> 00:56:14.932
OH, MY GOODNESS.

00:56:14.933 --> 00:56:17.032
THAT WAS A MARATHON.

00:56:17.033 --> 00:56:20.866
ALL RIGHT, SO, STEP ONE,
APPARENTLY, IS SOAKING THIS CORN

00:56:20.867 --> 00:56:24.799
IN WATER THAT HAS BEEN HEATED
TO 140 DEGREES.

00:56:24.800 --> 00:56:26.966
AND WE\'RE ALSO SUPPOSED
TO HAVE PUT IN SULPHURIC ACID

00:56:26.967 --> 00:56:28.466
AT 200 PARTS PER MILLION,

00:56:28.467 --> 00:56:30.766
WHICH IS A TINY PARTS
PER GALLON.

00:56:30.767 --> 00:56:32.799
.0007.

00:56:32.800 --> 00:56:35.032
SEVEN TEN...
SEVEN TEN THOU...

00:56:35.033 --> 00:56:36.132
SEVEN... IT\'S NOT...

00:56:36.133 --> 00:56:37.599
IT\'S NOT EVEN CLOSE
TO A TEASPOON.

00:56:37.600 --> 00:56:39.066
IT\'S LIKE... IT\'S LIKE...

00:56:39.067 --> 00:56:40.766
IT\'S LIKE, YOUR GONNA STICK
YOUR FINGER IN,

00:56:40.767 --> 00:56:42.199
AND WHATEVER DROP
STICKS TO IT...

00:56:42.200 --> 00:56:43.266
NO, NO, NO, MAN!

00:56:43.267 --> 00:56:44.499
I\'M NOT GONNA DO IT.

00:56:44.500 --> 00:56:45.932
I\'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

00:56:45.933 --> 00:56:47.467
(Ian)
OH, IT\'D BE SO MUCH EASIER.

00:56:49.100 --> 00:56:51.232
(Erickson) WHAT WE\'RE LOOKING FOR
IS YELLOW DENT ♪2,

00:56:51.233 --> 00:56:53.032
SO IT\'S ALREADY
A CERTAIN TYPE OF CORN

00:56:53.033 --> 00:56:55.533
THAT WILL YIELD
A LOT OF STARCH.

00:56:57.167 --> 00:56:59.966
(Ian) THIS IS GOING TO SOAK
FOR 16 HOURS

00:56:59.967 --> 00:57:02.266
TO GET IT SOFT
AND BEGIN TO SEPARATE

00:57:02.267 --> 00:57:04.133
THE STARCH
FROM THE FIBER.

00:57:06.467 --> 00:57:08.299
ALL RIGHT, DAY TWO.

00:57:08.300 --> 00:57:10.132
IT SMELLS...
IT SMELLS SWEET.

00:57:10.133 --> 00:57:12.832
(Ian) WHAT DOES SOMETHING SWEET
SMELL LIKE?

00:57:12.833 --> 00:57:15.499
SUGAR?
YES.

00:57:15.500 --> 00:57:18.466
(Erickson)
THERE\'S A LOT OF \"TECHNOLOGY\"

00:57:18.467 --> 00:57:21.832
THAT GOES INTO MAKING
CORN SWEETENER.

00:57:21.833 --> 00:57:25.033
(Ian) ALL RIGHT, STEP TWO:
PHYSICALLY DAMAGE THE CORN.

00:57:26.133 --> 00:57:29.133
[blender whirring]

00:57:31.267 --> 00:57:33.366
(Erickson) IT DOESN\'T LOOK
LIKE A KERNEL ANYMORE

00:57:33.367 --> 00:57:34.766
AT THE END OF THE PROCESS,

00:57:34.767 --> 00:57:37.867
BUT THAT IS PART
OF THAT INNOVATIVE SYSTEM.

00:57:41.433 --> 00:57:44.799
(Ian) THE ENDOAMYLASE
AND SPEZYME PRIME ENZYME

00:57:44.800 --> 00:57:47.999
RANDOMLY HYDROLYZES
ALPHA-1, 4-GLUCOSIDIC BONDS

00:57:48.000 --> 00:57:50.967
TO REDUCE THE VISCOSITY
OF A GELATINIZED STARCH.

00:57:53.267 --> 00:57:56.766
EVERYTHING REALLY IS A SCIENCE
WHEN YOU BOIL IT DOWN.

00:57:56.767 --> 00:57:58.532
WOW.

00:57:58.533 --> 00:58:00.200
THAT\'S PRETTY SWEET.

00:58:08.500 --> 00:58:10.500
IT\'S SWEET.

00:58:17.567 --> 00:58:19.266
IT TASTES GOOD.

00:58:19.267 --> 00:58:22.267
[laughter]

00:58:23.267 --> 00:58:24.700
HEY, LOOK AT THAT.

00:58:28.233 --> 00:58:30.832
(Cordain)
PRIOR TO ABOUT 1970,

00:58:30.833 --> 00:58:32.899
NOBODY ATE
HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP,

00:58:32.900 --> 00:58:34.600
BECAUSE IT WAS
TOO EXPENSIVE TO MAKE.

00:58:35.833 --> 00:58:39.732
TODAY THE DOMINANT SUGAR
IN THE WESTERN DIET NOW

00:58:39.733 --> 00:58:40.799
COMES FROM CORN.

00:58:40.800 --> 00:58:44.366
[bell dinging]

00:58:44.367 --> 00:58:49.066
CORN IS VERY CHEAP,
SO IT\'S BENEFICIAL FOR PEOPLE

00:58:49.067 --> 00:58:51.432
THAT ARE MAKING PROCESSED FOODS

00:58:51.433 --> 00:58:53.832
TO SWEETEN THEIR PRODUCT
WITH HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP,

00:58:53.833 --> 00:58:55.732
BECAUSE IT COSTS THEM LESS,
AND THEY SAVE MONEY.

00:58:55.733 --> 00:58:57.199
OKAY. RIGHT THIS WAY.

00:58:57.200 --> 00:58:58.299
THANK YOU.

00:58:58.300 --> 00:59:00.099
(Erickson)
FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANUFACTURERS

00:59:00.100 --> 00:59:03.466
WERE LOOKING FOR
A LOWER-COST SUGAR SUBSTITUTE.

00:59:03.467 --> 00:59:06.232
BY THE LATE \'80s,
WE HAD FULLY TAKEN OVER

00:59:06.233 --> 00:59:08.767
HALF OF THE SWEETENER MARKET
IN THE UNITED STATES.

00:59:11.633 --> 00:59:15.199
HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP
IS KNOWN TO ENHANCE FLAVORS

00:59:15.200 --> 00:59:17.366
OF SPICES AND FRUITS.

00:59:17.367 --> 00:59:21.999
IT LESSENS THE ACIDIC QUALITY
OF SPAGHETTI SAUCES.

00:59:22.000 --> 00:59:25.533
IT PROVIDES GOOD BROWNING
PROPERTIES TO BREADS.

00:59:26.867 --> 00:59:30.299
IT\'S ALL A PART OF A COMPLEX,
INNOVATIVE SYSTEM

00:59:30.300 --> 00:59:32.366
THAT MAKES THESE FOODS
AVAILABLE TO US

00:59:32.367 --> 00:59:35.833
IN SUCH A VARIETY OF CHOICES
FOR SUCH LOW PRICES.

00:59:45.500 --> 00:59:47.599
EVERY SINGLE ITEM I SAW
IN THIS AISLE

00:59:47.600 --> 00:59:48.967
CONTAINS CORN SYRUP.

00:59:59.667 --> 01:00:01.699
IN THE LAST 30 YEARS,

01:00:01.700 --> 01:00:06.266
AMERICA\'S CONSUMPTION
OF TABLE SUGAR HAS FALLEN.

01:00:06.267 --> 01:00:08.199
BUT OUR OVERALL CONSUMPTION
OF SWEETENERS

01:00:08.200 --> 01:00:11.132
HAS GONE UP MORE THAN 30%,

01:00:11.133 --> 01:00:14.432
LARGELY BECAUSE
OF A DRAMATIC INCREASE

01:00:14.433 --> 01:00:17.967
IN OUR CONSUMPTION
OF HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP.

01:00:25.933 --> 01:00:27.399
(Curt)
SO WHAT\'S YOUR ASSESSMENT

01:00:27.400 --> 01:00:28.666
OF THE CORN CROP
THIS YEAR?

01:00:28.667 --> 01:00:30.132
OH, IT LOOKS TERRIFIC
IN THIS AREA.

01:00:30.133 --> 01:00:32.966
I THINK WE\'RE GONNA HAVE
A BIG CORN CROP, YEAH.

01:00:32.967 --> 01:00:35.699
(Curt) WHAT DO YOU THINK WE\'RE
GONNA YIELD ON OUR CORN HERE?

01:00:35.700 --> 01:00:40.832
OH, I WOULD GUESS YOU WOULD BE
SOMEPLACE BETWEEN 160 AND 180,

01:00:40.833 --> 01:00:41.966
BUT THAT\'S JUST A GUESS.

01:00:41.967 --> 01:00:43.467
I AIN\'T EVEN WALKED IN IT.

01:00:51.467 --> 01:00:55.066
(Curt) EVERYTHING WE\'D DONE ON OUR ACRE
SINCE COMING TO IOWA

01:00:55.067 --> 01:00:57.766
HAD BEEN DESIGNED
TO DO ONE THING:

01:00:57.767 --> 01:01:02.032
GROW AS MANY BUSHELS OF CORN
AS POSSIBLE.

01:01:02.033 --> 01:01:05.166
WHAT WE HADN\'T REALIZED
WAS THAT WHAT WE WERE GROWING

01:01:05.167 --> 01:01:08.699
WAS ESSENTIALLY
AN ACRE OF SUGARS.

01:01:08.700 --> 01:01:09.932
WE KNOW SOME THINGS

01:01:09.933 --> 01:01:12.499
JUST FROM THE FACTUAL,
ANALYTICAL STANDPOINT

01:01:12.500 --> 01:01:14.266
ABOUT THE CORN
WHICH IS GROWN IN IOWA.

01:01:14.267 --> 01:01:16.733
IT HAS BEEN SELECTED
FOR HIGH PRODUCTIVITY.

01:01:18.267 --> 01:01:21.599
THIS MEANS
HIGH-VOLUME STARCH PRODUCTION.

01:01:21.600 --> 01:01:24.766
WELL, YOU NEVER GET
SOMETHING FOR NOTHING

01:01:24.767 --> 01:01:26.632
IN THE WORLD OF BIOPHYSICS,

01:01:26.633 --> 01:01:29.066
AND WHAT YOU GIVE UP
IN THE BARGAIN

01:01:29.067 --> 01:01:31.699
IS NUTRITIONAL VALUE.

01:01:31.700 --> 01:01:33.066
OW.

01:01:33.067 --> 01:01:34.332
MOST OF WHAT WE\'VE DONE

01:01:34.333 --> 01:01:38.066
IN AGRICULTURAL
SO-CALLED IMPROVEMENTS

01:01:38.067 --> 01:01:39.766
AND IN FOOD PROCESSING

01:01:39.767 --> 01:01:42.566
HAVE ACTUALLY DEGRADED
OUR FOOD SUPPLY

01:01:42.567 --> 01:01:44.132
FROM A NUTRITIONAL STANDPOINT.

01:01:44.133 --> 01:01:47.799
(Ian) THE CORN THAT ORIGINALLY
CAME NORTH FROM MEXICO

01:01:47.800 --> 01:01:51.599
WAS A GRAIN
WITH A HIGHER PROTEIN CONTENT.

01:01:51.600 --> 01:01:54.266
BUT AS CORN WAS BRED
FOR HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY,

01:01:54.267 --> 01:01:57.767
THE NATURE OF THE CORN KERNEL
WAS TRANSFORMED.

01:02:00.500 --> 01:02:02.266
(Willett)
WHAT\'S HAPPENED IS THAT

01:02:02.267 --> 01:02:04.432
THAT INCREASED YIELD
HAS BEEN MAINLY AN EXPANSION

01:02:04.433 --> 01:02:08.633
IN THE ENDOSPERM, OR THE STARCH
FRACTION OF THE KERNEL OF CORN.

01:02:12.633 --> 01:02:14.432
AND OF COURSE,
NOW WE\'RE TAKING THAT STARCH

01:02:14.433 --> 01:02:17.899
AND CONVERTING IT
TO HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SWEETENER,

01:02:17.900 --> 01:02:20.232
WHICH BASICALLY HAS
NO NUTRITIONAL VALUE,

01:02:20.233 --> 01:02:23.433
ONLY ADVERSE METABOLIC EFFECTS
AND EMPTY CALORIES.

01:02:39.433 --> 01:02:41.199
(Ian)
FOR EACH KERNEL OF OUR CORN

01:02:41.200 --> 01:02:43.566
TURNED INTO
HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP,

01:02:43.567 --> 01:02:44.999
THERE\'S A NEARLY 70% CHANCE

01:02:45.000 --> 01:02:47.732
IT WILL END UP SWEETENING
A BEVERAGE,

01:02:47.733 --> 01:02:51.200
LIKELY HEADED FOR A BIG CITY
FAR FROM THE CORN BELT.

01:02:53.333 --> 01:02:54.999
IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK,

01:02:55.000 --> 01:03:00.166
ABOUT 139 MILLION GALLONS
OF SODA ARE CONSUMED EACH YEAR,

01:03:00.167 --> 01:03:03.100
SWEETENED BY 20,000 ACRES
OF CORN.

01:03:17.700 --> 01:03:18.832
[electronic beep]

01:03:18.833 --> 01:03:21.299
[speaking Spanish]

01:03:21.300 --> 01:03:22.300
[radio static]

01:03:22.301 --> 01:03:25.966
[man speaking Spanish]

01:03:25.967 --> 01:03:28.166
(Mendez) RIGHT NOW,
WE ARE AT 5TH AVENUE,

01:03:28.167 --> 01:03:30.166
PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

01:03:30.167 --> 01:03:31.766
AND YOU GREW UP HERE?

01:03:31.767 --> 01:03:33.732
GREW UP RIGHT IN
THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

01:03:33.733 --> 01:03:35.732
I WAS BORN
IN METHODIST HOSPITAL.

01:03:35.733 --> 01:03:38.832
WE\'VE BEEN GROWING
THIS ACRE OF CORN IN IOWA

01:03:38.833 --> 01:03:41.332
AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT
WHERE THE CORN WILL GO

01:03:41.333 --> 01:03:42.899
WHEN IT LEAVES OUR FARM,

01:03:42.900 --> 01:03:46.499
AND SO WE\'VE BEEN FOLLOWING
THE STORY OF CORN SYRUP.

01:03:46.500 --> 01:03:47.932
(Mendez)
I\'LL TELL YOU WHAT,

01:03:47.933 --> 01:03:51.899
JUST STOPPING INTO A BODEGA
AND BUYING A BOTTLE OF SODA...

01:03:51.900 --> 01:03:54.932
IT DOESN\'T MATTER
IF IT\'S A PEPSI OR COKE OR...

01:03:54.933 --> 01:03:56.066
IT DOESN\'T MATTER.

01:03:56.067 --> 01:04:02.166
ANY SODA PRODUCT CONTAINS
CORN SYRUP.

01:04:02.167 --> 01:04:03.466
THERE\'S A SODA...

01:04:03.467 --> 01:04:05.366
I DON\'T KNOW IF THEY STILL
HAVE IT OUT.

01:04:05.367 --> 01:04:07.799
IT WAS CALLED COLONIAL GRAPE.

01:04:07.800 --> 01:04:08.899
THAT HAD TO BE

01:04:08.900 --> 01:04:11.966
THE SWEETEST GRAPE SODA
I EVER DRANK.

01:04:11.967 --> 01:04:14.966
I DON\'T KNOW
IF IT HAD MORE SUGAR

01:04:14.967 --> 01:04:17.732
OR MORE CORN SYRUP
THAN ANY OTHER ONE,

01:04:17.733 --> 01:04:19.766
BUT I DRANK

01:04:19.767 --> 01:04:24.567
UP TO 2 LITERS A DAY,
MAYBE MORE.

01:04:25.600 --> 01:04:27.299
(Willett)
ONE OF THE GREAT CHANGES

01:04:27.300 --> 01:04:30.332
IN THE AMERICAN FOOD SUPPLY
DURING THE LAST 20 YEARS

01:04:30.333 --> 01:04:34.599
IS THAT WE ARE NOW DRINKING
MANY MORE CALORIES

01:04:34.600 --> 01:04:36.432
THAN WE WERE BEFORE.

01:04:36.433 --> 01:04:37.799
AND THERE DOES SEEM TO BE

01:04:37.800 --> 01:04:39.566
SOMETHING ABOUT
DRINKING CALORIES

01:04:39.567 --> 01:04:41.799
IN THE FORM OF SODA,
FOR EXAMPLE,

01:04:41.800 --> 01:04:45.467
THAT JUST DOESN\'T GENERATE
THE STOP SIGNALS.

01:04:47.633 --> 01:04:49.799
(Mendez) I ACTUALLY NEVER THOUGHT
THAT SODA

01:04:49.800 --> 01:04:54.699
WOULD BE
A LARGE PROBLEM TO DRINK,

01:04:54.700 --> 01:04:57.299
BUT I COULD SHOW
YOU A PICTURE OVER HERE

01:04:57.300 --> 01:04:58.732
OF THE WAY I USED TO BE.

01:04:58.733 --> 01:05:02.632
I USED TO WEIGH OVER 300 POUNDS.

01:05:02.633 --> 01:05:04.532
THAT\'S ME RIGHT THERE.

01:05:04.533 --> 01:05:07.899
I WAS A SIZE 60 IN PANTS.

01:05:07.900 --> 01:05:10.999
AND I STOPPED DRINKING SODA,
AND JUST BY NOT DRINKING SODA,

01:05:11.000 --> 01:05:18.333
I LOST ABOUT 1/3
OF WHAT I WEIGHED, YOU KNOW?

01:05:19.533 --> 01:05:22.099
(Willett)
WE HAVE AN EXPLOSION OF OBESITY.

01:05:22.100 --> 01:05:24.899
THAT\'S PROBABLY
THE MOST CONSPICUOUS SYMPTOM

01:05:24.900 --> 01:05:29.066
OF THE NUTRITIONAL CRISIS
OCCURRING IN AMERICA.

01:05:29.067 --> 01:05:31.999
BUT THE OBESITY IS ONLY
JUST PART OF IT.

01:05:32.000 --> 01:05:33.232
A HIGH CONSUMPTION

01:05:33.233 --> 01:05:36.799
OF SWEETENERS
LIKE HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP

01:05:36.800 --> 01:05:40.366
HAS QUITE ADVERSE
METABOLIC EFFECTS.

01:05:40.367 --> 01:05:43.066
AND WHAT WE SEE
IN OUR LONG-TERM STUDIES

01:05:43.067 --> 01:05:45.600
IS HIGHER RISK
OF TYPE 2 DIABETES AS WELL.

01:05:51.200 --> 01:05:52.200
[knocks]
HELLO.

01:05:52.200 --> 01:05:53.200
(women)
HI.

01:05:53.200 --> 01:05:54.200
CURT ELLIS.

01:05:54.200 --> 01:05:55.200
FARIDA KHAN.

01:05:55.201 --> 01:05:57.332
NICE TO MEET YOU.
HI. SABITA.

01:05:57.333 --> 01:05:59.332
(Khan)
DIABETES ESSENTIALLY MEANS

01:05:59.333 --> 01:06:03.632
THAT YOUR BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL
IN THE BLOOD

01:06:03.633 --> 01:06:07.732
IS HIGHER THAN WHAT
YOUR PANCREAS CAN CONTROL

01:06:07.733 --> 01:06:10.000
AND KEEP IN THE NORMAL RANGE.

01:06:11.800 --> 01:06:13.332
ONE IN EIGHT NEW YORKERS

01:06:13.333 --> 01:06:16.766
HAVE DIABETES
WHICH EITHER IS DIAGNOSED,

01:06:16.767 --> 01:06:18.566
OR THEY DON\'T KNOW
IF THEY HAVE DIABETES,

01:06:18.567 --> 01:06:20.166
AND THEY REMAIN UNDIAGNOSED.

01:06:20.167 --> 01:06:22.766
LIKE, IT\'S NOT LIKE
ANY OTHER DISEASE THAT WE HAVE

01:06:22.767 --> 01:06:25.166
WHERE WE JUST GIVE PRESCRIPTIONS
AND THAT\'S THE END OF IT,

01:06:25.167 --> 01:06:28.567
BECAUSE IT\'S NOT SOMETHING
THAT GOES AWAY.

01:06:30.167 --> 01:06:33.699
(Khan) DIABETES IS A DISEASE
AND OBESITY IS A DISEASE

01:06:33.700 --> 01:06:37.099
WHICH IS STRONGLY LINKED
TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTOR

01:06:37.100 --> 01:06:39.033
OF FOOD AND EXERCISE.

01:06:41.267 --> 01:06:44.732
WHAT IS THE CHEAPER FOOD
FOR PEOPLE, OKAY?

01:06:44.733 --> 01:06:47.433
I THINK COST HAS A LOT TO DO
WHAT PEOPLE BUY.

01:06:49.000 --> 01:06:53.366
THE CHEAPER FOOD
IS REALLY NOT THE HEALTHY FOOD.

01:06:53.367 --> 01:06:54.532
AND THE MAIN THING IS SODAS.

01:06:54.533 --> 01:06:56.166
SODA IS LIQUID CANDY.

01:06:56.167 --> 01:06:58.099
AND PEOPLE THINK
THEY\'RE QUENCHING THEIR THIRST

01:06:58.100 --> 01:07:00.766
DRINKING A GLASS OF SODA,
BUT THERE YOU HAVE A BIG,

01:07:00.767 --> 01:07:02.933
YOU KNOW, AMOUNT OF SUGAR
THAT YOU\'RE DRINKING.

01:07:06.400 --> 01:07:07.999
(Willett)
IN A RECENT ANALYSIS,

01:07:08.000 --> 01:07:10.532
WE FOUND THAT DRINKING
ONE SODA PER DAY ON AVERAGE

01:07:10.533 --> 01:07:13.099
ALMOST DOUBLED THE RISK
OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

01:07:13.100 --> 01:07:16.132
COMPARED TO ONLY OCCASIONALLY
HAVING A SODA BEVERAGE

01:07:16.133 --> 01:07:17.200
OR NOT AT ALL.

01:07:22.100 --> 01:07:23.466
(Mendez)
MY DAD,

01:07:23.467 --> 01:07:26.266
HE HAD A PAIN IN HIS TOE
FOR OVER SIX MONTHS,

01:07:26.267 --> 01:07:27.267
AND HE FOUND OUT

01:07:27.268 --> 01:07:29.599
HE WAS DIABETIC THAT WAY,

01:07:29.600 --> 01:07:32.066
AND THEY CUT HIS BIG TOE OFF.

01:07:32.067 --> 01:07:38.066
AND BEFORE MY FATHER DIED,
IT WENT FROM HIS TOE TO HIS FOOT

01:07:38.067 --> 01:07:41.499
TO BELOW THE KNEE
TO ABOVE THE KNEE,

01:07:41.500 --> 01:07:46.966
AND THEN THEY WANTED TO START
CUTTING ON THE OTHER LEG.

01:07:46.967 --> 01:07:51.767
MY DAD SAID NO, THAT WAS ENOUGH,
AND HE JUST GAVE UP.

01:07:53.500 --> 01:07:57.166
MY MOM DIED
OF A DIRECT RESULT OF DIABETES.

01:07:57.167 --> 01:07:59.499
MY GRANDMOTHER DIED
A DIRECT RESULTS OF DIABETES.

01:07:59.500 --> 01:08:02.132
MY SISTER MADELINE,

01:08:02.133 --> 01:08:03.732
SHE\'S BEEN A DIABETIC
FOR YEARS.

01:08:03.733 --> 01:08:07.567
I WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED
WITH DIABETES.

01:08:09.400 --> 01:08:12.332
WE DON\'T THINK OF WHAT
WE\'RE PUTTING INTO OUR SYSTEM.

01:08:12.333 --> 01:08:15.333
WE DON\'T REALLY THINK
ABOUT IT.

01:08:33.000 --> 01:08:34.832
(Ian)
BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER,

01:08:34.833 --> 01:08:38.766
WE\'D BEEN CORN FARMERS
FOR ALMOST NINE MONTHS.

01:08:38.767 --> 01:08:40.166
IT WAS BECOMING CLEAR

01:08:40.167 --> 01:08:41.866
THAT OUR ACRE
WASN\'T JUST A GAME

01:08:41.867 --> 01:08:44.666
FOR SEEING
WHERE FOOD CAME FROM.

01:08:44.667 --> 01:08:48.466
WE WERE GROWING AN ACTUAL CROP
THAT WAS DESTINED TO BE EATEN

01:08:48.467 --> 01:08:50.467
BY ACTUAL PEOPLE.

01:08:56.700 --> 01:08:57.932
(Pollan)
IF YOU TAKE THAT MEAL,

01:08:57.933 --> 01:08:59.432
IF YOU TAKE
THAT MCDONALD\'S MEAL,

01:08:59.433 --> 01:09:01.299
YOU DON\'T REALIZE IT
WHEN YOU EAT IT,

01:09:01.300 --> 01:09:02.467
BUT YOU\'RE EATING CORN.

01:09:04.567 --> 01:09:09.032
BEEF HAS BEEN CORN-FED.

01:09:09.033 --> 01:09:10.499
SODA IS CORN.

01:09:10.500 --> 01:09:12.099
IT\'S ALL
HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP.

01:09:12.100 --> 01:09:13.299
IT\'S THE MAIN INGREDIENT.

01:09:13.300 --> 01:09:14.332
EVEN THE FRENCH FRIES,

01:09:14.333 --> 01:09:15.432
WHICH ARE... YOU KNOW,

01:09:15.433 --> 01:09:16.899
HALF THE CALORIES
IN THE FRENCH FRIES

01:09:16.900 --> 01:09:18.466
COME FROM THE FAT
THAT THEY\'RE FRIED IN,

01:09:18.467 --> 01:09:21.266
AND THAT FAT IS LIABLE
TO BE CORN OIL OR SOY OIL.

01:09:21.267 --> 01:09:23.299
AND SO WHEN
YOU\'RE AT THAT MCDONALD\'S,

01:09:23.300 --> 01:09:25.966
YOU\'RE EATING IOWA FOOD.

01:09:25.967 --> 01:09:28.633
EVERYTHING ON YOUR PLATE
IS CORN.

01:09:33.533 --> 01:09:35.332
(Curt)
THREE WEEKS FROM HARVEST TIME,

01:09:35.333 --> 01:09:36.699
WE COULD SEE
THAT THE AGRICULTURE

01:09:36.700 --> 01:09:39.199
OUR GREAT-GRANDPARENTS
HAD HELPED BUILD

01:09:39.200 --> 01:09:41.500
WAS NOW GROWING FAST FOOD.

01:10:09.533 --> 01:10:11.266
(Don Clikeman)
IT\'S BEEN A WHILE.

01:10:11.267 --> 01:10:12.399
HOW YOU DOIN\'?

01:10:12.400 --> 01:10:13.432
COME ON IN.

01:10:13.433 --> 01:10:16.666
WELL, HOW ARE THINGS GOING
FOR YOU GUYS?

01:10:16.667 --> 01:10:18.566
HOW\'D YOUR CROP
COME OUT, THEN?

01:10:18.567 --> 01:10:20.232
(Ian) WELL, WE HAVEN\'T
HARVESTED IT YET,

01:10:20.233 --> 01:10:21.832
SO WE DON\'T KNOW
HOW MUCH...

01:10:21.833 --> 01:10:22.833
WHAT THE YIELD IS.

01:10:22.834 --> 01:10:23.932
WHAT THE YIELD IS
AND STUFF,

01:10:23.933 --> 01:10:25.966
BUT IT...

01:10:25.967 --> 01:10:27.132
FAR AS I CAN TELL,

01:10:27.133 --> 01:10:28.599
IT LOOKS LIKE
EVERYBODY ELSE\'S CORN.

01:10:28.600 --> 01:10:30.532
YEAH,
IT\'S STANDING UP AND...

01:10:30.533 --> 01:10:32.966
(Ian) IT\'S STANDING UP, AND IT\'S
KIND OF YELLOW AND HARD,

01:10:32.967 --> 01:10:34.499
AND I THINK OUR PROBLEM
IS FIGURING OUT

01:10:34.500 --> 01:10:36.532
WHAT WE WANT TO DO WITH IT
ONCE WE HARVEST IT,

01:10:36.533 --> 01:10:39.499
BECAUSE WE\'VE BEEN OUT
FIGURING OUT WHERE IT COULD GO,

01:10:39.500 --> 01:10:43.666
AND NONE OF OUR OPTIONS
SEEMS PARTICULARLY ATTRACTIVE,

01:10:43.667 --> 01:10:46.632
AND I\'M NOT
TERRIBLY IMPRESSED WITH...

01:10:46.633 --> 01:10:48.599
AND YOU SHOULDN\'T BE.

01:10:48.600 --> 01:10:51.099
YOU SHOULD BE IMPRESSED
AT THE STUPIDITY.

01:10:51.100 --> 01:10:53.266
WE AREN\'T GROWING QUALITY.

01:10:53.267 --> 01:10:55.466
WE\'RE GROWING CRAP.

01:10:55.467 --> 01:10:57.732
POOREST QUALITY CRAP
THE WORLD\'S EVER SEEN,

01:10:57.733 --> 01:10:59.399
WE\'RE GROWING IT TODAY.

01:10:59.400 --> 01:11:01.332
(Woolf) YOU DON\'T EAT
THE CORN YOU GROW?

01:11:01.333 --> 01:11:03.332
NO.

01:11:03.333 --> 01:11:05.432
I\'M NOT SAYING THAT I MIGHT NOT
GRIND UP A LITTLE BIT

01:11:05.433 --> 01:11:10.299
FOR SOME CORNMEAL,
BUT I BASICALLY DON\'T.

01:11:10.300 --> 01:11:11.532
(Don Clikeman)
I DON\'T GROW...

01:11:11.533 --> 01:11:13.932
NECESSARILY GROW MY CORN
FOR FOOD.

01:11:13.933 --> 01:11:15.466
I DON\'T CARE
WHAT\'S DONE WITH IT.

01:11:15.467 --> 01:11:16.467
I\'M SELLING IT.

01:11:16.468 --> 01:11:19.066
IT\'S BOTTOM LINE.

01:11:19.067 --> 01:11:22.832
YOU DON\'T THINK
WE HAVE ENOUGH CORN?

01:11:22.833 --> 01:11:25.566
[laughing]

01:11:25.567 --> 01:11:27.167
WE\'VE GOT
LOTS OF CORN.

01:11:32.800 --> 01:11:35.199
(Ian)
TWO WEEKS BEFORE HARVEST,

01:11:35.200 --> 01:11:38.333
THE PRICE FOR A BUSHEL OF CORN
AT THE ELEVATOR WAS $1.65.

01:11:41.467 --> 01:11:44.632
WE HAD SPENT $142
TO RENT THE ACRE,

01:11:44.633 --> 01:11:49.332
AND WITH $133.24
FOR SEED AND CHEMICALS

01:11:49.333 --> 01:11:54.166
AND $74.68
TO RENT AND RUN THE EQUIPMENT,

01:11:54.167 --> 01:11:57.467
OUR TOTAL COSTS
ADDED UP TO $349.92.

01:11:59.767 --> 01:12:04.766
BUT EVEN IF WE GOT A HUGE YIELD,
LIKE 200 BUSHELS,

01:12:04.767 --> 01:12:08.832
WE WOULD ONLY GET PAID
$330 FROM THE ELEVATOR,

01:12:08.833 --> 01:12:11.800
A LOSS OF $19.92.

01:12:21.567 --> 01:12:23.032
(Curt)
IT LOOKS LIKE WE MAY LOSE MONEY

01:12:23.033 --> 01:12:24.732
GROWING AND SELLING
THIS CORN.

01:12:24.733 --> 01:12:25.733
OH, YEAH.

01:12:25.734 --> 01:12:27.032
BUT WE MIGHT MAKE
A LITTLE BIT.

01:12:27.033 --> 01:12:29.132
BUT YOU\'LL MAKE MONEY
OFF THE GOVERNMENT,

01:12:29.133 --> 01:12:30.599
AND THAT\'S
WHAT IT\'S ALL ABOUT.

01:12:30.600 --> 01:12:34.232
WELL, SEE, YOU PROBABLY ONLY HAD
HALF OF YOUR INITIAL PAYMENT.

01:12:34.233 --> 01:12:35.532
YOU\'LL GET THAT.

01:12:35.533 --> 01:12:38.066
THEN YOU\'LL GET
A COUNTER-CYCLICAL PAYMENT.

01:12:38.067 --> 01:12:41.499
AND NOW YOU\'RE GONNA GET
A LOAN DEFICIENCY PAYMENT.

01:12:41.500 --> 01:12:43.766
IT\'S THE GOVERNMENT PAYMENTS
THAT ARE KEEPIN\' GUYS GOING.

01:12:43.767 --> 01:12:46.266
IT AIN\'T THE VALUE OF THE CROPS.

01:12:46.267 --> 01:12:49.232
(Curt) HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU THINK
COMES INTO GREENE EVERY YEAR

01:12:49.233 --> 01:12:51.232
FROM THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT?

01:12:51.233 --> 01:12:54.166
OH, IT\'S BY FAR
THE LARGEST INDUSTRY IN GREENE,

01:12:54.167 --> 01:12:55.700
BY FAR.

01:12:57.900 --> 01:13:00.099
BUT IF IT WASN\'T FOR THAT,

01:13:00.100 --> 01:13:04.099
YOU WOULDN\'T SEE THE CROPS
PLANTED OUT HERE NEITHER.

01:13:04.100 --> 01:13:07.100
YOU WOULDN\'T BE RAISIN\'
11 BILLION BUSHELS OF CORN.

01:13:10.767 --> 01:13:14.566
(Curt) OUR $19.92 LOSS
WAS GOING TO BE OFFSET

01:13:14.567 --> 01:13:17.132
BY A $28 DIRECT PAYMENT
FROM THE GOVERNMENT,

01:13:17.133 --> 01:13:19.032
AND SEVERAL OTHER
SUBSIDY PAYMENTS

01:13:19.033 --> 01:13:21.000
THAT WE HADN\'T EVEN KNOWN ABOUT.

01:13:25.433 --> 01:13:27.832
WE HAPPEN TO HAVE
A KIND OF SUBSIDY SYSTEM...

01:13:27.833 --> 01:13:28.932
AND WE HAVEN\'T ALWAYS HAD IT,

01:13:28.933 --> 01:13:30.732
ONLY FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS
OR SO...

01:13:30.733 --> 01:13:33.167
THAT REWARDS THE OVERPRODUCTION
OF CHEAP CORN.

01:13:35.733 --> 01:13:38.432
(Cook) CORN IS THE CROP
WE\'VE SPENT THE MOST MONEY ON

01:13:38.433 --> 01:13:39.899
OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS,

01:13:39.900 --> 01:13:43.999
AND SO WE\'VE GOT MOUNTAINS
OF GRAIN ALL OVER THE MIDWEST

01:13:44.000 --> 01:13:45.466
BECAUSE THE SUBSIDY PROGRAMS

01:13:45.467 --> 01:13:47.233
KEEP THE PRODUCTION GOING
FULL BLAST.

01:13:52.200 --> 01:13:57.299
(Pollan) ALL THAT CHEAP SURPLUS CORN
GOES SOMEWHERE,

01:13:57.300 --> 01:13:59.400
AND IN FACT, A LOT OF IT\'S
GOING ONTO OUR BODIES.

01:14:02.433 --> 01:14:04.632
(Cook) THERE IS A ROLE THAT
THE SUBSIDIES HAVE PLAYED

01:14:04.633 --> 01:14:07.499
IN MAKING THE RAW MATERIAL
AVAILABLE

01:14:07.500 --> 01:14:11.332
FOR AN OVERWEIGHT SOCIETY.

01:14:11.333 --> 01:14:12.832
WE SUBSIDIZE THE HAPPY MEALS,

01:14:12.833 --> 01:14:14.733
BUT WE DON\'T SUBSIDIZE
THE HEALTHY ONES.

01:14:17.500 --> 01:14:19.532
(Pollan) THERE\'S A VERY SPECIFIC HISTORY
TO THIS,

01:14:19.533 --> 01:14:25.366
I MEAN, HOW WE GOT
TO YOUR ACRE IN IOWA.

01:14:25.367 --> 01:14:27.232
YOU REALLY DO HAVE TO GO BACK

01:14:27.233 --> 01:14:31.066
TO EARL BUTZ AND THE REVOLUTION
IN FARM POLICY

01:14:31.067 --> 01:14:32.567
THAT HAPPENS IN THE 1970s.

01:14:37.333 --> 01:14:41.466
(Butz) WHAT WE WANT OUT OF AGRICULTURE
IS PLENTY OF FOOD,

01:14:41.467 --> 01:14:44.067
AND THAT\'S OUR DRIVE NOW.

01:14:48.500 --> 01:14:51.932
THIS YEAR, 1973,
WE\'RE GOING TO SEE

01:14:51.933 --> 01:14:55.699
THE MOST MASSIVE INCREASE
IN PRODUCTION OF FARM PRODUCTS

01:14:55.700 --> 01:14:58.132
EVER IN THE HISTORY
OF THIS COUNTRY,

01:14:58.133 --> 01:15:01.566
AND NEXT YEAR, WE\'RE GOING
FOR A STILL FURTHER INCREASE

01:15:01.567 --> 01:15:04.400
ON TOP OF THAT
AS WE PULL ALL STOPS.

01:15:29.000 --> 01:15:31.166
(woman)
OH, ALL RIGHT, JUST A MOMENT.

01:15:31.167 --> 01:15:32.667
IS HE EXPECTING YOU?

01:15:40.733 --> 01:15:42.700
HE\'S GOT SOME CORN ON THE DOOR.

01:15:45.133 --> 01:15:47.232
DR. BUTZ?

01:15:47.233 --> 01:15:49.399
WE\'VE BEEN MAKING A FILM

01:15:49.400 --> 01:15:52.199
ABOUT A YEAR WE\'VE SPENT
GROWING AN ACRE OF CORN.

01:15:52.200 --> 01:15:53.632
GROWING AN ACRE OF CORN, HUH?

01:15:53.633 --> 01:15:54.966
YES, SIR.

01:15:54.967 --> 01:15:58.632
IT\'S CHANGED FROM THE DAYS
WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE.

01:15:58.633 --> 01:16:03.732
WHAT PART DID YOU PLAY
IN CREATING THE FOOD SYSTEM

01:16:03.733 --> 01:16:05.199
THAT WE HAVE TODAY?

01:16:05.200 --> 01:16:08.032
(Butz) WHEN I WAS A YOUNGSTER
ON THE FARM,

01:16:08.033 --> 01:16:11.732
WE HAD THESE PROGRAMS
CUTTING BACK ON PRODUCTION.

01:16:11.733 --> 01:16:14.432
WE PAID FARMERS NOT TO PRODUCE,

01:16:14.433 --> 01:16:17.366
ONE OF THE STUPIDEST THINGS
WE EVER DID, I THINK,

01:16:17.367 --> 01:16:19.432
WHERE THEY GOT PAID
FOR NOT PRODUCING

01:16:19.433 --> 01:16:24.232
INSTEAD OF PAID FOR PRODUCING.

01:16:24.233 --> 01:16:27.466
AND WHEN I BECAME SECRETARY,
WE STOPPED THAT SYSTEM.

01:16:27.467 --> 01:16:29.399
(Curt) WE\'VE HEARD
FROM SOME PEOPLE

01:16:29.400 --> 01:16:33.266
THAT THEY THINK
THERE IS TOO MUCH FOOD.

01:16:33.267 --> 01:16:35.132
WHAT DO YOU THINK
OF THAT?

01:16:35.133 --> 01:16:37.699
WELL, IT\'S THE BASIS
OF OUR AFFLUENCE NOW,

01:16:37.700 --> 01:16:40.132
THE FACT THAT WE SPEND LESS
ON FOOD.

01:16:40.133 --> 01:16:43.166
IT\'S AMERICA\'S BEST-KEPT SECRET.

01:16:43.167 --> 01:16:44.432
WE FEED OURSELVES

01:16:44.433 --> 01:16:49.566
WITH APPROXIMATELY 16-17%
OF OUR TAKE-HOME PAY.

01:16:49.567 --> 01:16:50.832
THAT\'S MARVELOUS.

01:16:50.833 --> 01:16:52.099
THAT\'S A VERY SMALL CHUNK

01:16:52.100 --> 01:16:53.866
TO FEED OURSELVES.

01:16:53.867 --> 01:16:55.099
AND THAT INCLUDES
ALL THE MEALS

01:16:55.100 --> 01:16:57.432
WE EAT AT RESTAURANTS,

01:16:57.433 --> 01:17:01.099
ALL THE FANCY DOODADS
WE GET IN OUR FOOD SYSTEM.

01:17:01.100 --> 01:17:04.566
BUT I DON\'T SEE
MUCH ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT THERE,

01:17:04.567 --> 01:17:08.800
WHICH MEANS WE\'LL SPEND OUR
SURPLUS CASH ON SOMETHING ELSE.

01:17:16.200 --> 01:17:18.166
(Curt)
IN OUR GREAT-GRANDPARENTS\' DAY,

01:17:18.167 --> 01:17:21.332
FAMILIES TWICE AS MUCH
OF THEIR INCOME ON FOOD,

01:17:21.333 --> 01:17:23.266
WHICH DIDN\'T LEAVE
A LOT OF MONEY OR TIME

01:17:23.267 --> 01:17:24.367
FOR OTHER THINGS.

01:17:27.333 --> 01:17:28.599
WHEN I GREW UP,
IT WAS HARD WORK.

01:17:28.600 --> 01:17:30.532
YOU GOT UP IN THE MORNING,

01:17:30.533 --> 01:17:33.899
AND YOU WENT OUT
AND DID SOME CHORES,

01:17:33.900 --> 01:17:36.732
BECAUSE WE ALWAYS KEPT
OUR OWN LIVESTOCK.

01:17:36.733 --> 01:17:38.932
WE HAD OUR OWN HORSES FOR POWER.

01:17:38.933 --> 01:17:42.632
THE LABOR IT TOOK
TO MAKE AN ACRE OF CORN

01:17:42.633 --> 01:17:47.432
OR A BUSHEL OF CORN
WAS TREMENDOUS.

01:17:47.433 --> 01:17:48.799
(Curt)
IT WAS EASY TO SEE

01:17:48.800 --> 01:17:51.466
WHY PEOPLE IN OUR
GREAT-GRANDPARENTS\' GENERATION

01:17:51.467 --> 01:17:54.832
WOULD DEDICATE THEIR LIVES
TO MAKING FIELD WORK EASIER

01:17:54.833 --> 01:17:56.566
AND FOOD MORE AFFORDABLE

01:17:56.567 --> 01:17:58.799
BY EXPANDING THE REACH
OF AGRICULTURE

01:17:58.800 --> 01:18:03.432
AND TRANSFORMING
THE WAY WE FARM.

01:18:03.433 --> 01:18:06.466
(Butz) RURAL AMERICA
HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED.

01:18:06.467 --> 01:18:08.366
THE KIND OF FARM
THAT I GREW UP ON

01:18:08.367 --> 01:18:09.733
DOESN\'T EXIST TODAY.

01:18:11.400 --> 01:18:13.499
THIS IS A COMMERCIAL OPERATION.

01:18:13.500 --> 01:18:15.532
IT USED TO BE
A FAMILY OPERATION,

01:18:15.533 --> 01:18:16.832
BUT IT\'S NOT ANYMORE.

01:18:16.833 --> 01:18:18.299
BUT AS A CONSEQUENCE,

01:18:18.300 --> 01:18:20.099
WE FEED OURSELVES
VERY CHEAPLY NOW.

01:18:20.100 --> 01:18:24.432
YOU SEE THOSE TREMENDOUS FIELDS
OF CORN OUT THERE,

01:18:24.433 --> 01:18:26.767
CORN AS FAR AS YOU CAN SEE.

01:18:28.367 --> 01:18:30.900
THAT\'S THE AGE OF PLENTY.

01:18:34.833 --> 01:18:37.399
(Ian) IT WAS EARL BUTZ\'S FARM PROGRAM
THAT MADE

01:18:37.400 --> 01:18:40.533
OUR GREAT-GRANDPARENTS\'
DREAM OF PLENTY A REALITY.

01:18:42.567 --> 01:18:45.066
WE SPEND LESS OF OUR INCOME
ON FOOD

01:18:45.067 --> 01:18:47.766
THAN ANY GENERATION IN HISTORY.

01:18:47.767 --> 01:18:50.966
AND FEWER OF US ARE NEEDED
TO PRODUCE THAT FOOD

01:18:50.967 --> 01:18:52.967
THAN EVER BEFORE.

01:18:56.367 --> 01:18:59.399
BUT WE ALSO MIGHT BE
THE FIRST GENERATION

01:18:59.400 --> 01:19:03.000
TO LIVE IN A TIME
WHEN ABUNDANCE BRINGS TOO MUCH.

01:19:08.167 --> 01:19:11.167
[vehicles rushing]

01:19:19.767 --> 01:19:22.767
[gas lamp hissing]

01:20:12.467 --> 01:20:15.467
[melancholy vocal music]

01:21:18.567 --> 01:21:22.666
WHEN OUR GREAT-GRANDFATHERS WERE
CHILDREN GROWING UP IN GREENE,

01:21:22.667 --> 01:21:25.933
PEOPLE BRAGGED
ON 40-BUSHEL HARVESTS.

01:21:29.833 --> 01:21:34.066
100 YEARS LATER,
WE HARVESTED ALMOST 180 BUSHELS,

01:21:34.067 --> 01:21:38.832
WHAT, FOR OUR TIME,
WAS QUITE AVERAGE,

01:21:38.833 --> 01:21:41.432
OUR SMALL PART
OF THE BIGGEST CORN HARVEST

01:21:41.433 --> 01:21:43.300
IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

01:21:49.000 --> 01:21:50.000
THANK YOU SO MUCH.

01:21:50.001 --> 01:21:52.766
[laughter]

01:21:52.767 --> 01:21:56.566
(Ian) WELL, HERE,
FIRST TO THE FARMER HERE.

01:21:56.567 --> 01:21:58.166
AND TO FARMER
NUMBER TWO.

01:21:58.167 --> 01:22:01.233
[laughter]

01:22:02.233 --> 01:22:05.233
[glasses clinking]

01:22:08.933 --> 01:22:12.099
(Pyatt) AND I FARMED ALL MY LIFE,
PRACTICALLY.

01:22:12.100 --> 01:22:14.366
PERSONALLY, I DON\'T LIKE
THE LOOKS OF WHERE WE\'RE HEADED,

01:22:14.367 --> 01:22:19.199
BUT MAYBE SOME PEOPLE SAY
THERE\'S NO STOPPING IT.

01:22:19.200 --> 01:22:22.832
I THINK WE\'RE GONNA LOOK
AT INDUSTRIALIZED AGRICULTURE;

01:22:22.833 --> 01:22:25.132
THAT\'S REALLY
WHAT WE\'RE LOOKING AT NOW,

01:22:25.133 --> 01:22:28.599
YOU KNOW, LARGER AND LARGER
OPERATIONS ALL THE TIME.

01:22:28.600 --> 01:22:30.032
WELL, IT\'S A CHEAP FOOD POLICY.

01:22:30.033 --> 01:22:31.567
LET\'S FACE IT.

01:22:33.633 --> 01:22:35.932
(Johnson) AS WE PUSH THE CART
DOWN THE GROCERY AISLE,

01:22:35.933 --> 01:22:40.399
WE DON\'T REALLY STOP AND THINK
ABOUT EVERYTHING

01:22:40.400 --> 01:22:45.999
THAT HAS SOME
OF OUR HOMEGROWN PRODUCTS IN IT.

01:22:46.000 --> 01:22:50.032
OUR BIG THING IS PRODUCING
AS MANY BUSHELS AS WE CAN

01:22:50.033 --> 01:22:53.299
FROM THE ACRES THAT WE PLANT.

01:22:53.300 --> 01:22:55.300
FIVE FEET.

01:22:58.300 --> 01:22:59.300
OKAY.

01:24:36.300 --> 01:24:38.099
[distant voices]

01:24:38.100 --> 01:24:40.899
[auctioneer speaking quickly]

01:24:40.900 --> 01:24:42.966
A DOLLAR BILL? A DOLLAR BILL?

01:24:42.967 --> 01:24:45.599
SOMEBODY USE THAT FOR A DOLLAR?

01:24:45.600 --> 01:24:46.600
I\'D HAVE SOLD IT TO YOU.

01:24:46.601 --> 01:24:49.132
GIVE ME $2.50 FOR IT ALL.

01:24:49.133 --> 01:24:50.399
(Reid)
WELL, IT\'S KIND OF AN END

01:24:50.400 --> 01:24:55.232
OF ANOTHER FARM FAMILY
IN THE COMMUNITY.

01:24:55.233 --> 01:24:59.499
PYATT FAMILY\'S BEEN HERE
IN THIS COMMUNITY

01:24:59.500 --> 01:25:02.166
FOR FIVE, SIX GENERATIONS

01:25:02.167 --> 01:25:07.000
AND IT\'S JUST ANOTHER END
OF ANOTHER GENERATION.

01:25:26.567 --> 01:25:28.166
YOU GREW UP HERE,
RIGHT?

01:25:28.167 --> 01:25:30.466
YEAH, I WAS BORN RIGHT HERE
IN THIS ROOM.

01:25:30.467 --> 01:25:32.499
IT\'S ALL THE FARTHER
I EVER GOT IN LIFE.

01:25:32.500 --> 01:25:33.599
[laughs]

01:25:33.600 --> 01:25:34.766
(Curt)
HOW ARE YOU GONNA FEEL

01:25:34.767 --> 01:25:36.332
ABOUT LEAVING GREENE?

01:25:36.333 --> 01:25:38.966
OH, SO-SO. I DON\'T KNOW.

01:25:38.967 --> 01:25:41.666
WE\'LL SEE.

01:25:41.667 --> 01:25:44.199
WE ARE WONDERING
IF THERE\'S ANY WAY

01:25:44.200 --> 01:25:46.532
YOU\'D LET US TRY AND RAISE
THE MONEY

01:25:46.533 --> 01:25:48.132
TO ACTUALLY BUY THAT ACRE.

01:25:48.133 --> 01:25:51.599
[laughing]

01:25:51.600 --> 01:25:53.899
YOU GUYS, YOU\'RE GONNA STARVE
THIS COUNTRY.

01:25:53.900 --> 01:25:56.900
[upbeat acoustic guitar music]

01:26:02.067 --> 01:26:06.166
(The Seeds) SEE THE FARMER
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN.

01:26:06.167 --> 01:26:11.766
HE\'S ALWAYS WORKING
TILL THE SUN GOES DOWN.

01:26:11.767 --> 01:26:16.566
UP EVERY MORNING
RIGHT ON 5:00.

01:26:16.567 --> 01:26:21.366
WANT THEM GREEN SEEDS
TO COME ALIVE.

01:26:21.367 --> 01:26:26.266
BUT HE DON\'T WEAR
NO FARM CLOTHES.

01:26:26.267 --> 01:26:30.332
HE\'S ALWAYS USING
A RAKE AND HOE,

01:26:30.333 --> 01:26:34.866
BUT HIS SEEDS
ARE STARTING TO GROW.

01:26:34.867 --> 01:26:40.332
LIKE A BIG STALK
THROUGH THE SKY.

01:26:40.333 --> 01:26:45.499
HE USED TO LIVE
IN APARTMENT CITY

01:26:45.500 --> 01:26:47.399
WITH THICK
AND PRIESTLY WINDOWS

01:26:47.400 --> 01:26:50.199
BUILT RIGHT IN IT.

01:26:50.200 --> 01:26:54.899
BUT HE MOVED
TO A LITTLE, TINY TOWN.

01:26:54.900 --> 01:26:59.599
WANTED TO BE A FARMER
ALL YEAR ROUND.

01:26:59.600 --> 01:27:04.232
AND ON A COUNTRY ROAD,
WHERE YOU CAN\'T SEE A THING,

01:27:04.233 --> 01:27:05.666
HE\'S GOT FIVE ACRES

01:27:05.667 --> 01:27:07.999
FILLED WITH
LITTLE GREEN THINGS.

01:27:08.000 --> 01:27:15.267
HE SAID HE\'S WORKING SO HARD
ALL NIGHT AND DAY.

01:27:24.500 --> 01:27:29.499
MISTER FARMER,
LET ME WATCH YOUR CROPS.

01:27:29.500 --> 01:27:34.366
MR. FARMER,
LET ME WATER YOUR CROPS.

01:27:34.367 --> 01:27:38.866
MR. FARMER,
LET ME HARVEST YOUR CROPS.

01:27:38.867 --> 01:27:42.566
I WANT TO HAVE
A DREAM COME TRUE.

01:27:42.567 --> 01:27:48.832
I SAID,
FARMER, FARMER, FARMER,

01:27:48.833 --> 01:27:54.766
I WANT TO BE JUST LIKE YOU.

01:27:54.767 --> 01:27:59.632
SEE THE FARMER
WALKING DOWNTOWN.

01:27:59.633 --> 01:28:04.299
ALWAYS DRAWS A CROWD
WHEN HE\'S AROUND.

01:28:04.300 --> 01:28:08.866
HE\'S ALWAYS WEARING
CITY CLOTHES.

01:28:08.867 --> 01:28:13.966
HE SHOWS THEM OFF
WHEREVER HE GOES.

01:28:13.967 --> 01:28:18.232
YOU CAN SPOT HIM ANYWHERE.

01:28:18.233 --> 01:28:21.732
GOT A BRIGHT PINK THUMB,
BUT HE DON\'T CARE.

01:28:21.733 --> 01:28:24.266
I SAID, HE LOOKS
LIKE SOMETHIN\'

01:28:24.267 --> 01:28:31.566
FROM A VERY BAD DREAM.

01:28:31.567 --> 01:28:36.299
MR. FARMER,
LET ME WATCH YOUR CROPS.

01:28:36.300 --> 01:28:40.766
MR. FARMER,
LET ME WATER YOUR CROPS.

01:28:40.767 --> 01:28:45.599
MR. FARMER,
LET ME HARVEST YOUR CROPS.

01:28:45.600 --> 01:28:48.732
MR. FARMER,
LET ME SAVE YOUR CROPS.

01:28:48.733 --> 01:28:54.733
I SAID,
FARMER, FARMER, FARMER.

01:28:56.400 --> 01:28:59.400
[reflective country music]