Guest blog post by Aaron Putze,
Director of External Relations & Coordinator
Iowa Food & Family Project, Iowa Soybean Association
Few locations are more prominent and effective to engage the 98% of Iowans who don’t farm than the Iowa State Fair, which will be held Aug. 7-17 in Des Moines. For the fourth consecutive year, Iowa Food & Family Project, with a helping hand from the Iowa State Fair and nearly a dozen partners including Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, will showcase the spirit of today’s agriculture and its daily relevance.
“What Farmers Grow Makes Iowa Go!” is the theme of this year’s IFFP exhibit, located in the south atrium of the Varied Industries Building. It will feature the work of Greg and Brandi Glenn, 26-year veterans of sand sculpting and co-owners of Sandscapes®. The work of art will measure 20-by-24 feet, stand more than 12 feet tall, and showcase how food is grown and where it’s enjoyed.
Many activities will reinforce these key themes including:
- Watch the Glenns in action as they sculpt their farm and foodscape literally from the ground up. You’ll marvel at their creativity and skills.
- Children will be invited to color and illustrate what farming means to them and receive a complimentary ice cream cone coupon redeemable at McDonald’s.
- People of all ages can test their food and farming IQ courtesy of our ag spin game (every participant wins!).
- Adults ages 18 and older who register to receive the Iowa Food & Family Project’s “Fresh Pickings” e-newsletter will be eligible to win great prizes including:
- Casey’s Pizza for a Year
- $500 Hy-Vee grocery gift card
- Subway® sandwiches for a year
- Farm-fresh pork, beef and turkey (valued at $1,000)
- Finally, the Iowa FFP will join the Iowa State Fair and U.S. Department of Agriculture in sending fairgoers on a scavenger hunt throughout the fairgrounds to learn more about agriculture. “AgVenture” trail maps will be available at information stands located throughout the fair. Once completed, they can be redeemed for a special gift at the Iowa FFP exhibit.
We look forward to engaging hundreds of thousands of fairgoers that will pass through the south atrium of the Varied Industries Building about how what farmers grow makes Iowa go. Be sure to stop by and say “hello.”
Also remember that “Iowa Girl Eats” Kristin Porter and host of “Join My Journey,” will meet and greet fairgoers. She’ll be inside the south atrium of the Varied Industries Building to autograph the popular “Let’s Cook” cookbook. You can meet Kristin on Friday, Aug. 8, from 1-3 p.m. and on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Other State Fair-Related Blog Posts: