Nearly Extinct Corn Making A Comeback

Nearly Extinct Corn Making A Comeback For the Pawnee Nation an almost forgotten food source is becoming familiar again thanks to the efforts of the Pawnee Seed Preservation Project This volunteer group aims to bring the region’s native corn varieties back from the brink of extinction Corn has long been a staple crop for the Pawnee and its prevalence in ceremonies and daily life made it sacred In the 19th century forced migration from Nebraska to Oklahoma made growing the tribe’s heirloom corn varieties in the arid climate and alkaline soil all but impossible After decades of crop failure only a few kernels remained In 2003 tribe member Deb Echo-Hawk started the Pawnee Seed Preservation Project A few kernels were provided to the Archway Museum in Nebraska for planting The corn had a slow start and a few bad harvests but by 2005 enough had produced ears to boost the seed inventory As the corn collection grew something stood out Many cobs produced unusual kernels that didn’t match known varieties In essence these corn kernels were exhibiting recessive traits that exhibited characteristics of long-lost Pawnee varieties By carefully cultivating these unique kernels the group members could reestablish previously lost heirloom corn varieties The corn revival project continues today and each year members of the Pawnee Nation gather for a reveal of that season’s harvest To date the Pawnee corn seed bank includes varieties ranging from yellow and blue flour to flint sweet and speckled eagle corn and many more Each season’s corn is grown in close to two dozen gardens throughout Central Nebraska and the best ears are set aside to replenish the seed bank As the annual harvests continue to grow there’s now enough available to use in ceremonies so that every member can try it firsthand Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma 881 Little Dee Dr Pawnee Okla 74058 ph 918-762-3621

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.