When I was in school, I was taught that the push for corn was to help the central states. We don't really grow that much sugar cane in the US and the belief that we should spend that money internally, I think, is not misguided. So as I read your comment, I can't help but remember that. Maybe it was American propaganda filtering its way into the school system to brainwash me. Or maybe it was true. either way, one has to admit that Americans love sugar. We are going to consume a lot of it regardless. Doesn't seem like a bad thing to find a sugar alternative that grows well in the continental US.