But the rush to ethanol and the increased planting of corn should give us all pause.

Corn, a big user of fertilizer, is also a major contributor to the pollution of waterways. From algae blooms in local lakes, to excess sediment collecting in Lake Pepin to the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico, corn production is a major contributor.

That’s not a condemnation of farming, but it is a reality of modern agriculture. Protecting the environment and considering the economic impact of increased food costs must be a big part of the discussion during the march toward more corn production.