WEST DES MOINES, IOWA (October 8, 2024) — Iowa Farm Bureau and the University of Iowa Athletic Department will celebrate America’s farmers at the thirteenth-annual America Needs Farmers (ANF) Game Day, Saturday, October 12, at Kinnick Stadium. The highly-anticipated game against last year’s national runner-up and new Big Ten member, the University of Washington, kicks off at 11AM.
As part of the annual celebration recognizing the significance of Iowa agriculture, fans will have the opportunity to interact with farmers at the ANF Legends Tent in Krause Family Plaza and play tailgate games 8-10:30AM for a chance to win exclusive ANF/Hawkeye prizes, such as clear ANF sunglasses, bags, koozies, wrist lanyards, bandanas, light-up necklaces, and more, while learning how Iowa agriculture plays a major role in our daily lives.
The first 250 fans to visit the ANF Legends Tent will receive a reversible ANF bucket cap. Fans will also have the opportunity to get autographs from the newest ANF Wall of Honor inductee, Brandon Myers, along with former Hawkeye great and new radio color commentator, Pat Angerer.
“The annual ANF game and tailgate activities provide a great opportunity for fans to interact with Iowa farmers and learn about the diversity and innovation of agriculture today, while celebrating the importance of agriculture to our state and nation,” said Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson. “Iowa farmers care about the environment and are national leaders in conservation and production, which is why the ANF game presents a great opportunity for fans to interact and get answers to questions about farming today from local farm families.”
The ANF Wall of Honor salutes past University of Iowa football players who exemplify the tenacity, work ethic and character of the Iowa farmer, and former Hawkeye standout and NFL star, Brandon Myers, becomes the twelfth member of the prestigious group.
A four-year letter-winner with the Hawkeyes, Myers credits his success to a solid work ethic and lessons learned growing up on his grandparents’ farm in central Iowa. Myers utilized his farm strong work ethic to capture three bowl game victories with the Hawkeyes followed by a successful eight-year NFL career.
“Growing up and spending time on my grandparents’ farm helped instill a work ethic and grit I’ve carried with me through my life, and it’s something I share with my boys,” Myers says. “That means constantly showing up, doing things the right way and putting in hard work whether on the farm or the football field.”
Previous ANF Wall of Honor recipients include Casey Wiegmann (‘12), Jared DeVries (‘13), Bruce Nelson (‘14), Robert Gallery (‘15), Dallas Clark (‘16), Chad Greenway (‘17), Aaron Kampman (‘18), Matt Kroul (‘19), Marshal Yanda (‘21), Tony Moeaki (‘22), and Bryan Bulaga (‘23).
A gold ANF decal was placed on players’ helmets during the Hawkeyes’ 1985 Rose Bowl season by head coach Hayden Fry to show support for farmers during the 1980’s Farm Crisis. The Hawkeye helmets still have the special decal on them today. ANF serves as a longstanding tribute to America’s farmers, and IFBF and the University of Iowa are excited to help connect Iowa’s farm families to consumers to learn more about the production of food, fuel and fiber and the farm families raising it.
Fans can show their ANF and Hawkeye pride by purchasing ANF merchandise during game day in shops around the stadium with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Iowa Food Bank Association. For more information about ANF and Game Day activities, visit www.americaneedsfarmers.org.
About Iowa Farm Bureau
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is the largest statewide, grassroots farm organization in Iowa, celebrating 100 years of creating a vibrant future for agriculture, farm families, and their communities. For more information, visit iowafarmbureau.com/.
