Hands in the Dirt: Squirrel Corn

Photo and article by Donna Iverson 
 
Squirrel corn? Was that a new variety of sweet corn or field corn, I wondered. Then it hit me. Squirrel corn was dried corn being sold at my local farmers market to feed backyard squirrels. At $1 a cob.
 
People were buying it as a treat for squirrels or to provide an alternative feeding station to keep squirrels out of the bird feeders.  If that is possible. Which it is not.
 
Of course, DIYers could dry corn themselves and save some money. But it’s a lot of work.  First you have to grow the corn and harvest it.  Then remove the husks and silks. Next, blanch the corn in boiling water for two minutes to remove bacteria.  And then plunge it in ice water. Next, place the cobs on an oven rack on low heat at 175 degrees for 8 to 10 hours. Store in a paper bag. 
 
If you live in rural Michigan, you could place the corn on a rack balanced on a couple of saw horses or cement blocks.  Place outside in full sun for three to five days and it is ready for use. If you are a farmer, you may have a corn crib to dry corn or a corn drying machine, the cost of which can run up to $100,000.
 
If you plan to feed squirrels with dried corn, remember it is at best a treat and not a nutritional food source.  Consider adding apples, watermelon, or cabbage and other vegetables like squash, peas, carrots, and zucchini, to their feeding regime. 
 
Of course if you are a wildflower enthusiast. Squirrel corn means something entirely different. It is an early spring native plant that looks a lot like Dutchman’ Breeches. With delicate white flowers it is found in Michigan woodlands. 

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