The pilot of a light sport aircraft suffered an engine failure on approach; landing short of the airport in a cornfield without injury or damage.

Narrative

After approximately a forty five minute flight; I began to setup for a two mile landing approach at my departure airport. At about 1;700 FT the engine stuttered then stopped. I began emergency landing procedures; setup best glide attitude; picked best emergency landing field; tried to start the engine three times and declared an emergency--although my altitude was too low for UNICOM to hear me; so I Idented the transponder (not enough time to squawk emergency code). A local pilot heard my mayday and relayed it to the airport.I completed a normal off airport landing in a cornfield. No injuries! No apparent damage to the aircraft. Contacted Tower via phone and informed them of the situation. Tower was most helpful and offered assistance. I advised no further assistance was needed. An inspection discovered a blockage existed in the fuel vent line this is NOT an item on the preflight check list. I would strongly suggest that a cover used on this vent hose and blowing into hose as part of preflight.