In spring of 2009 I planted two rare Northeastern corn varieties for the first time as research for what would become the Maize Field project. And now I’m hooked on growing corn. This is now my fourth season. This summer I’m growing another rare Northeastern variety named Abenaki Rose in my community garden patch (pictured here). It was sent to me from a guy in Maine and I sent him some of the Lenape Blue corn from Maize Field.
I always get excited when the first spear-like signs of the corn pop up. The spears quickly unfold into bright green leaves. Another summer begins.
“A yellow shine I saw
In a basket she carries gold
Soft corn gold
In a basket she carries gold
Soft corn gold”
– Lila Downs (Palomo del Comalito)