Though Deere & Co. (NYSE: DE) has soared almost 30% this year, the stock isn't running out of gas -- pun intentional -- yet thanks to the huge demand for ethanol. Not only do farmers need equipment to harvest the corn for the fuel additive but companies need construction equipment to build plants to process it, which will benefit Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT).

Remember that demand for ethanol is surging. According to the Renewable Fuels Association, there are 86 ethanol plants under construction, compared with 16 in January 2005. The total number of plants has jumped from 81 to 119 during that same time period. By 2030, the U.S. may use 14.6 billion gallons of ethanol, compared with 4 billion in 2005, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Surprisingly, Archer Daniels Midland Co. (NYSE: ADM), which gained notoriety for pushing the ethanol under former CEO Dwayne Andreas, hasn't fared as well as Deere. Its shares, which have risen about 7% this year, are trading at a forward multiple of 13.6, compared with Deere's 14. When I covered the ethanol business for a newsletter company in the early 1990s, I found out quickly that the industry is more than just ADM. In fact, many ethanol producers secretly detested the agribusiness giant.

Nonetheless, even with the increased competition from upstarts, ADM will also benefit from the growing use of the corn-based fuel additive. The company is just too big too ignore.

Another patriotic trend worth considering is the growth of barbecues. Record numbers of grills were shipped last year, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association. There's no reason why that shouldn't continue, which is good news for the likes of Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) and Lowes Cos. (NYSE: LOW).

Speaking of which, I've got to clean my grill. Company is coming.

Happy Fourth of July.