KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / TUESDAY, MARCH 29. 2011 / NEWS / 3A
FILM
'King Corn' documentary delivers kernel of truth
Total Corn Subsidies by State (1995 - 2009)
Corn Subsidies
Even though every state in the continental United States has received some federal subsidies for corn since 1995, they have mostly gone to the mid-west. This map shows the total corn subsidies a state has received from 1995 to 2009. Iowa and Illinois have received the most, followed closely by Indiana, Minnesota and Nebraska.
BY ADAM STRUNK astrunk@kansan.com
This was one of the central messages of the documentary King Corn, which KU Environs screened Monday night at Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts St. The documentary detailed ways corn is used and processed, the prevalence of corn in the American diet and the government subsidization of the corn industry.
"Even just watching that movie I think I learned a lot," said Emily Katz, a sophomore from Overland Park. Katz was one of the 325 people who attended the movie screening. "It's crazy to think how much corn is in what you eat ... I really think people should be more aware about this stuff and what they are putting in their body."
This was the kind of discussion KU Environs, a campus group that promotes awareness about environmental issues, hoped to prompt with the event.
"It introduces you to something you know so well, but in such a different way." Kim Scherman, a junior from Eudora and KU Environs officer, said. "It is really amazing how much corn is in our lives. We are not trying to say anything bad or judge corn. We just want to promote discussion."
According to Aaron Heckman chief operating officer for Eckan, the community action agency which oversees Just Food, the food bank had set a goal raising $100,000 in order to sustain services and keep the organization running.
If we are what we eat, then most Americans are made of corn.
"I am ecstatic," Draskovich said. "I am so grateful. What else can I say? They called and asked if their fundraiser would help, and I said of course it would help."
With Just Food still needing to raise $43,000 to reach its goal, volunteer Terry Draskovich said the fundraiser was a welcome help.
Besides facilitating discussion, the event served as a fundraiser for
Movie goers Monday night not only had a chance to see a cheap movie and help out a food pantry, but to get a free burrito and win prizes donated by Lawrence businesses. Those attending the event received gift cards for free burritos from Chipotle. They could also enter a drawing to win prizes such as dinner for two at Free State Brewing Company, two $50 gift certificates to Tellers and four free yoga classes from Southwind
The food pantry faced a large budget shortfall after the Stimulus payments, which provided the initial income to start the organization, expired in December.
Just Food, a local food bank that distributed food to more than 2,000 people in the Lawrence area last month. KU Environs asked for a $3 donation from movie-goers and promised to give 70 percent of the $1050 raised Monday night or $735 to Just Food.
Hjersted said that the Films for Action website Lawrence.filmsforaction.org features around 700 documentaries, which visitors can view for free.
51¢ = The per gallon federal tax credit for blending ethanol.
(i.e. a 10% ethanol blend = 5.1 cents subsidy)
After the documentary finished, Curt Ellis, one of the documentary creators, addressed the crowd via Skype. The crowd had a chance to ask Ellis questions about the film.
Health Collective.
The other 30 percent of the money raised by the event went to Films For Action, a community group that co-sponsored and promoted the event. The group screens documentaries and operates a website to promote awareness on environmental, social and political issues.
"Well it's an amazing film and we are always looking to partner with other groups willing to do film screenings" said Tim Hijersed project director for Films for Action.
"Becoming a policy advocate, that what's we wanted people to think about after seeing our film, 'what are the polices that drive people to grow more corn?'," said Ellis when answering the question of what he wanted people to learn from the film. "Government subsidies are the kind of things we reward through our tax dollars and they have a big influence on what we eat in America and what we farm."
Edited by Dave Boyd
— Graphics by Clayton Ashley
CAMPUS
Show features new book designs
BY STEPHANIE SCHULTZ
sschultz@kansan.com
For those passionate about the design and decor of books, an easy choice is in town: the 2010 American University Presses book, jacket and journal show.
The University Press originated in 1946 at the University, and the design show has been hosted on campus every year since the 1980s, said Sara Henderson White, assistant to the director at the University Press of Kansas.
"We want the public to have the opportunity to see the books that we publish and appreciate the care, the thought, and the design elements that go into producing a book." White said.
More than 550 entries from the 2009 will be be judged during the show. The winning books of the traveling show are brought to the University Press's annual meeting, White said.
Then the books travel to five different destinations, including
Lawrence.
"University Presses are able to say ahead of time if they want to host the show," White said. "It comes every spring and we get it from wherever it came last."
The entries were separated into categories that included scholarly and trade typographic and illustrated, poetry and literature, reference, and journal. Afterward, four judges decide the winning designs for each category.
"They go to the offices in New York of the association and they look over hundreds of books"
White said. "They spend two days going through those books until they come up with the ones they deem the winners."
This year, 56 books and journals and 40 jackets and covers are on display in the University Press of Kansas building. They will remain on display until April 8.
For more information on the University Press of Kansas, visit www.kansaspress.ku.edu or their Facebook page.
Edited by Sean Tokarz
How the 2004-2005 Corn Crop was used
Feed Exports
Food, Industrial, and Seed
Life After College ALUMNI PANEL
KU students are invited to the annual Life After College Alumni Panel to gain networking insight and job search wisdom from successful KU alumni.
6-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 29
Adams Alumni Center
1266 Oread Ave.
A dessert reception for networking will follow the panel. Business casual attire is encouraged. No RSVP required.
Sponsored by the KU Alumni Association and the University Career Center
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