Growing up in the Midwest, I know a thing or two about picking a good ear of corn at the market; pull the top of the husk back, if the kernels at the top are in tact you’re good. When pulling back the husks of an ear at Angelo’s Organic Farms stand at the Wellington Square Farmers Market last Sunday for my post-market BBQ I was surprised by the wiggly critter that popped his head out. “Oh that’s the worm,” Jose said, “You don’t know about the worm?” He showed me how all the tops of the corn had been eaten by the worm and many of the other ears had occupants as well. Then Major (a major character of the community) chimed in. “It’s all good, if that worm’s alive, then I’m alive!” True statement, in regard to eating organic corn anyway. Without the use of pesticides this is bound to occur, but it doesn’t make the corn inedible. Organic farmers have a lot of other pests to deal with as well, aside from worms and Monsanto. For example, this farm loses entire rows of kale and chard crops to aphids every season, despite organic strategies to ward them off. So the next time you doubt your consumption of organic produce because you see a bug on your greens or a worm in your corn, shake it off, literally. A little bug is a huge sign you’re consuming clean, GMO and pesticide-free produce. Continue to support organic farming and your insides won’t turn into aliens. See you Sunday!
-Chelsea Mabel
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