WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Sept. 26, 2012 - While Iowa farmers are currently focused on harvesting their fields and caring for their livestock, they also understand the need to open their doors to consumers interested in seeing how food is grown and raised. This fall, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) is offering the Iowa Farmers Feed US sweepstakes program which invites Iowans to meet today's farmers, take video tours of their farms and register for a chance to win free groceries for a year.
Following the sweepstakes, there will be two free grocery grand prizes of $5,000 each from Iowa Farmers Feed US' grocery partner, Fareway Stores, Inc., awarded to Iowa residents drawn at random from those who register at www.FarmersFeedUS.org/ia. The site offers an up close and personal look at eight Iowa farm families and a chance to tour their farms, which include hog barns, white corn fields and turkey barns. Website visitors can register for the sweepstakes with each of the eight farmers, each day of the sweepstakes, which runs from noon today until noon on October 31, 2012.
"My family is involved in the Iowa Farmers Feed US project because we understand that while not everyone is involved in raising food, nearly everyone is interested in seeing how animals are cared for, how crops are raised and how we protect Iowa's soil, air and water," explained Justin Dammann, who raises cattle, corn and soybeans in Page County. "This website offers that opportunity for people throughout the state of Iowa, many of whom have never been on a farm. It's a great opportunity for farmers to showcase our commitment to growing safe, wholesome food today."
The website features beef cattle, turkey, corn, dairy cattle, hog and soybean farmers from across the state, each sharing their personal stories about their history in agriculture, farm families and dedication to producing food. Featured farmers include :
- Justin and Jennifer Dammann, white corn farmers, Essex
- Russ Yoder, turkey farmer, Wayland
- Eric and Emily Crossman, hog farmers, Ogden
- Jim Brown, soybean farmer, Churdan
- Pam Johnson, corn farmer, Floyd
- Stephanie Dykshorn, dairy cattle farmer, Ireton
- Matt Schuiteman, hog farmer, Sioux Center
- Tim Kaldenberg, beef cattle farmer, Albia
Additional Iowa agriculture groups supporting this initiative include the Iowa Corn Growers Association, the Iowa Pork Producers Association and Midwest Dairy.
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