Viral 7-year old ‘Corn Kid’ named South Dakota’s ‘Corn-Bassador’

A 7-year old who went viral with his rave review of corn earlier this year was officially named South Dakota’s state “Corn-bassador” this weekend.

The viral video showed 7-year old Tariq, now widely known as “Corn Kid,” in an Instagram video posted by Recess Therapy, trying corn for the first time after recently discovering it was a real food.

“I can’t imagine a more beautiful thing,” Tariq says with wonder in an interview with Recess Therapy host Julian Shapiro-Barnum. He goes on to describe the food as “A big lump with knobs,” and suggests it should cost $1 and wishes the audience a “corn-tastic” day.

Tariq was invited to Mitchell, South Dakota’s Corn Palace, a one-of-a-kind tourist attraction featuring corn murals and other corn-themed attractions meant to display South Dakota’s thriving corn industry.

The Corn Palace opened in 1892, and has since attracted tourists from around the world. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem officially declared Tariq the state’s official corn ambassador – known as the South Dakota Corn-Bassador on Saturday. 

“South Dakota is one of the top corn producers in the nation, providing nourishment to people across the globe,” Noem wrote in her declaration. “Since being told that corn was real, Tariq believes wholeheartedly it tastes good, especially with butter,” she added.

The governor also officially named September 3, 2022, “Official Corn-Bassador Tariq Day.”