Q: A recent AJC article stated that 18 states grow 91 percent of the nation’s corn. Is Georgia included in that list? Can you list all 18 states?
—Gerald Wade, Stockbridge
A: Georgia was the 23rd-leading corn producing state in the U.S. in 2013 with 81,375 bushels. Iowa, at 2.16 million bushels last year, was the leading producer of corn in the U.S., followed by Illinois (2.1 million), Nebraska (1.6 million), Minnesota (1.3 million) and Indiana (1 million), according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Six through No. 18 are: South Dakota (808,680), Ohio (661,980), Kansas (508,000), Wisconsin (445,300), Missouri (435,200), North Dakota (396,000), Michigan (348,750), Texas (276,000), Kentucky (243,100), Arkansas (162,690), Pennsylvania (160,230), Mississippi (146,080) and Colorado (129,690). The U.S. grows 32 percent of the world’s corn and is the leading producer of the crop.
Q: A German Army general has assumed duties as the chief of staff of U.S. Army Europe, the first time a non-American officer has held that position. Why would the president undermine U.S. command to do this?
—Roberta Cromlish, Stone Mountain
A: German Brig. Gen. Markus Laubenthal was appointed as chief of staff U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) in July as a measure of cooperation between the U.S. and Germany. Relations between the countries have been strained in the wake of allegations of spying and recording phone calls by the U.S., Stars and Stripes reported.
“This is a bold and major step forward in USAREUR’s commitment to operating in a multinational environment with our German allies,” USAREUR commander Lt. Gen. Donald Campbell Jr. said. There are 25,000 U.S. soldiers stationed in Germany.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
About the Author
