White Corn Inventory Project
The Tuscarora White Corn Inventory Project was an idea born from the need to promote and nurture the ability of ehkwehewe people to continue growing kahnehake:rat, or Indian Corn. Tuscarora people have been well recognized for their ability to grow notable crops of white corn across Haudenosaunee territory.
During the development of the soil survey, the TEP noticed an increase in the amount of our own farmers growing Indian Corn. A standard soil survey report includes estimates on fruit and vegetable yields for specific soil types, but does not include estimates for our Indian Corn varieties. The Tuscarora White Corn Inventory Project began in 2002 to gain preliminary yield estimates for Indian Corn production for different soil types on Tuscarora. However, another unexpected benefit of the project was realized when Tuscarora farmers began taking an interest in soil science and the friendly competition between farmers to better their yields. The project continues at Tuscarora to better understand how land can be managed for sustainable agriculture practices and to promote and continue the legacy of Tuscarora Indian Corn.