Monsanto is working on a genetically engineered variety of corn designed to grow bigger ears. While that's a major leap for the agribusiness company, it's only a small step in corn's long and storied history.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke about global food insecurity and hunger on Thursday at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During his speech, Vilsack highlighted a recently released USDA report that found roughly 14 percent of Americans are food insecure.
Ethanol production in the United States may contribute to shrinking food stocks and rising food prices, experts warn. Following the food crisis of 2008, experts say the increasing dedication of crops to fuel may lead to future malnutrition and starvation around the globe.
