Boasting magnificent rainbow hues, Glass Gem stands out as possibly the most attractive corn variety. Moreover, the enchanting narrative surrounding it adds an extra layer of fascination.

Edited Image: organicandhealthy.org

The journey commenced when Carl Bagpes, an Oklahoma farmer, delved into his Native American roots. Entering adulthood, he embraced cultivating older corn varieties as a means to step away from his familial legacy. Having been involved in corn breeding and excelling in isolating and analyzing its traits, it became evident that his keen eye for vivid, captivating colors could be transformative. This eventually led to the cultivation of a rainbow-colored corn variety.

The essence of this narrative is profound.

In the course of time, Bagpes, with a heart as open as his fields, found solace in cultivating. He connected with individuals on a deeper level, forging friendships that transcended mere acquaintanceship.

The exact number of seasons he meticulously selected, saved, and replanted these special seeds remains a mystery. However, after many years, his painstaking efforts bore fruit, creating a wondrous corn variety that has captivated people around the world.

In 1994, a family member named Greg Schoen crossed paths with Bagpes at a game party in Oklahoma. Bagpes had his eyes set on the screen, and Schoen was in the distance.

During that entire year, Bagpes shared some of the rainbow seeds with Schoen. It was in the summer that Schoen planted the first seed.

Image Editing: Greg Schoen

Schoen and Bagpes remained close friends, and over the years, Schoen expanded his circle of friends. Initially, Schoen only grew small amounts of colorful corn in New Mexico, where he resided at the time.

In 2005, Schoen began cultivating larger plots of the rainbow corn near Santa Fe, alongside traditional crops and diversities.

When integrated into the traditional agricultural setting, the rainbow corn introduced new strands. Indeed, the corn exhibited even more vibrant colors and vivid patterns.

Schoen eventually coined the name “Glass Gems” for a blue-green and pink-purple corn he developed in 2007. This is the original picture that went viral in 2012, catapulting the uniquely-colored corn into an international sensation.

Since then, Glass Gem has undergone further selection and perfection to become the embodiment of its present-day beauty.