May 16, 2012

Corn clothing is on the horizon

Clothing made from corn grown in Iowa could soon be showing up in storesacross the country, and become a boost to corn farmers. Researchers havedeveloped a process to make a fiber known as “Poly Lactic Acid” or P-L-A outof corn. Oelwein farmer Vic Miller is on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board,which financed the research to develop the fiber.Miller says the best-case scenario would have the corn clothing on themarket by next year.He says getting through the red tape of federal regulations is also a factorin getting the clothing on the market. Miller has tested the corn-madeclothes.He says while the fabric can’t be dried with heat, it does dry quickly andwrinkle free by hanging it up. Miller says other products made with P-L-Aare gaining attention because they can be engineered to break down rapidly.He says Japan has a big interest in P-L-A products that can help them withtheir landfill crunch.Miller says opening up the use of P-L-A could be have a major impact on Iowafarmers.Miller says the increased demand for corn through P-L-A use could add atleast one dollar to the price of a bushel of corn.

School Board Association urges you to vote

The Iowa Association of School Boards is urging voters to head to the pollsTuesday for this year’s schoolboard elections. Association spokeswoman LisaBartusek says voters need to keep several things in mind when picking whothey think are the best candidates.Bartusek says school board members have to be committed because it is avolunteer position.Bartusek says they are working on finding more candidates for upcomingelections. About one third of the seats state-wide are up for election.