Popcorn festivals and even "popcorn capitals of the world" dot the middle of the country. Yet this ubiquitous snack is grown on fewer than 1,000 farms in the U.S. today.

Tourists attracted by signs along Highway 20 can drive into Sac City, Iowa, to see a handmade monument to agricultural production.

“It's awesome! When you think about 9,000 pounds of popcorn, that's pretty cool,” said David McAvoy.

He and his wife, Cindy, stopped to see the World’s Largest Popcorn Ball, as they drove to Mount Rushmore from their home in Tennessee. Encased in glass, the ball stands more than eight feet tall.

“All you see when you're driving is corn everywhere,” McAvoy said of their trip through Iowa. “So, you can make all kinds of popcorn.”

In fact, McAvoy likely didn’t see popcorn.

Most farmers aroun

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