Growing Corn

There's more than meets the eye in a field of growing corn.

One of the experts who talks to our group at one of the University at the Bar sessions is Judi King, who speaks to our participants about the history and culture of Mexico. During our last group, she mentioned the cornfield we've all noticed on the hillside high above Ajijic. I remember looking at it, but not really thinking too hard about how it got there. I suddently realized how much perseverance it must have taken to plant and harvest that corn. First, the farmer would have to tote his seed up by his strong back, unless he was lucky enough to have a burro he could depend upon. And, you know, there probably isn't any water up on that mountain. He would either have to lug it up there or pray the rains give him a healthy crop during the growing season. Just enough rain, of course! If the corn's too full of water, it will spoil. So many things to worry about!

And, then think, when this corn is fully mature (anywhere from 5 to 7 feet tall), it would, of course, have to be harvested by hand. Anybody who plants on the side of a hill isn't going to have any machinery. So he probably just cuts it with a cane knife, and sells it with the husk on.

And, then I can't help but wonder how he gets all that corn down that steep hill. Even with his little burro, it's got to take a lot of trips. Without a burro, I can't even begin to contemplate the effort it must take. And, when he finally does get all that corn down to the village, does he get enough money for it for his family? To me...it seems like an awful lot of effort for not a lot of return. For him, it probably means a better life for his growing family. I don't know about you, but I will certainly look at that patch of land above Lake Chapala a whole lot differently now. I wish that farmer well and, you know, I see people selling roasted corn all the time in Ajijic. I think it's about time I stop and have some.