Switchgrass

A native prairie grass could kick corn in the pants. It delivers five times more energy than it takes to grow. "This is an energy crop that can be grown on marginal land," said a lead researcher, via SA and NPR.

That means the fuel tank may have less food in the next century. Corn refined ethanol, slow to catch on, has been used as a gasoline additive for years, although producing a gallon of biofuel takes more energy than it creates, via Slate. Recent spikes in ethanol production have caused increased food costs, or agflation. But can farmers be weaned off corn subsidies?