WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Dec. 10, 2010 - Mike Wolfe and his LeClaire, Iowa-based company, Antique Archeology, unearth forgotten or hidden treasures in basements, backyards, garages, barns and junkyards around the country on the hit History Channel show, "American Pickers." The company's passion for "picking" and realizing the hidden potential of America's resources embodies the spirit of Iowa Farm Bureau Federation's Renew Rural Iowa program, and has earned it the Renew Rural Iowa's December Entrepreneur of the Month award.
Wolfe, a Bettendorf native, graciously accepted the award via a video message during IFBF's 92nd annual meeting in Des Moines, Dec. 1-2.
"We've been on so many farms and acreages and find a wealth of treasures to repurpose every day," said Wolfe. "We're proud of this great state, farmers like you, and organizations that recognize the value entrepreneurs bring to our communities; thank you so much."
The Renew Rural Iowa program helps new and existing rural Iowa businesses grow and develop to achieve their best financial success. The program works in collaboration with other small business associations around the state to offer rural entrepreneurs education, mentoring and financial resources.
"Like Antique Archeology, our Renew Rural Iowa program recognizes the value of our rural gems," said IFBF Economic Development Administrator Sandy Ehrig. "In some cases, it's a matter of giving a new rural entrepreneur an opportunity to shine. Other times, our role is to help a local business reach its full potential so that it can better serve the rural community it calls home."
Renew Rural Iowa's next Business Success Seminar will be held Jan. 27 at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Denison. For more information about the program, call (800)-254-9670 or visit www.renewruraliowa.com.
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About Iowa Farm Bureau
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa. More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity. For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the newsroom at www.iowafarmbureau.com.
