In Oregon, corn is on the menu more — thanks in part to culture and climate change

In the U.S., corn is ubiquitous. It’s the most-grown crop in the country. Corn products line several grocery aisles: on the cob or kernels in a can, popcorn, chips, cereals, bread mixes for baking — the list could go on and on.

When Americans think of states that grow corn, Oregon very likely isn’t the first to come to mind. Iowa is bar none the country’s corn leader.

Crops usually more associated with Oregon are crab, wine and truffles — but corn is a top food product grown in Oregon, bringing more money to the state than crab. On the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s list of the top 20 most valuable agricultural commodities in the state as of April, corn grain is 15th at $80.5 million. (Meanwhile, Dungeness crab is 18th at $67.1 million).

In 2023, Oregon farmers are expected to plant 85,000 acres of corn — 13% more than last year. In comparison, wheat farming in Oregon trumps corn by a landslide, with nearly nine times the acreage. But land for wheat in the state is only expected to grow 3% this year.

As Oregon changes, both in population and from warming temperatures, corn is becoming a more important food.