ANF, short for America Needs Farmers, is a program to recognize the importance of farmers in Iowa and across America. It is a testament to former Iowa Football Coach Hayden Fry’s commitment to Hawkeyes players, fans, and all of Iowa to showcase the importance and strength of farmers, even during the hardships of the Farm Crisis of the 1980s.

ANF History

The success of Iowa farmers has been hard-fought with generations of work, sweat and sacrifice. Today’s family farmers who make a living from the land have survived many challenges, including the Farm Crisis of the 1980s, which collapsed commodity and land prices, bankrupting thousands of Iowa farmers. Populations shifted from rural communities to larger cities as farm families lost everything. Before it hit, Iowa was home to 121,000 family farms. Nearly 20,000 went under, ending generations of farm legacy for many family farms. Nationally, the Farm Crisis claimed nearly 235,000 family farms.

"The thing I'm most proud of here at Iowa is putting the ANF on our headgear."

Former Head Coach Hayden Fry

Hayden Fry, the head football coach at the University of Iowa at that time, knew the Farm Crisis touched many of his players and most of the fans. He was rebuilding the Hawkeye football legacy and wanted to show the nation that the strength of his team could also be measured in their character. Never one to accept defeat, Fry quietly went to work on a game plan to raise awareness of farmers who were struggling.

In 1985, the Hawkeye football team was rated the top team in the country for several weeks during that season, won the Big Ten championship and, as such, advanced to the 1986 Rose Bowl as the league’s representative.

When Fry’s squad traveled to Ohio State on November 2, something new was noticed on their game-day helmet: a simple yellow circle, 2 ½ inches wide, with the letters A-N-F positioned immediately above the Tigerhawk on the right side of the headgear. It stood for “America Needs Farmers.” In that moment, and through the many games, many players and many wins that followed, it remains a testament to the men and women who proudly give their all to provide the nation’s diverse food supply.

Mike Haight and Hap Peterson were Co-Captains of the one of the greatest Hawkeye football teams of all time: the 1985 Hawkeyes, a team that went 10-1, won the Big Ten championship, spent five weeks ranked No. 1 in the nation and went to the 1986 Rose Bowl. Haight, a former All-Big Ten offensive lineman, and Peterson, a former All Big-Ten defensive lineman, talk about Hayden Fry’s idea of putting ANF on their helmets during the ’85 season to show support for our country’s farm families who were struggling through a major farm crisis.

ANF Wall of Honor Recipients

2024: Brandon Myers
2023: Bryan Bulaga
2022: Tony Moeaki
2021: Marshall Yanda
2019: Matt Kroul
2018: Aaron Kampman
2017: Chad Greenway
2016: Dallas Clark
2015: Robert Gallery
2014: Bruce Nelson
2013: Jared DeVries
2012: Casey Wiegmann

The University of Iowa football program has earned a reputation for having a roster filled with talent, but they also have a rich history of players who display the work ethic and character embodied by the Iowa farmer. These players’ commitment to continuous improvement and determination to overcome challenges reflect what America Needs Farmers (ANF) stands for.

These hard-working former Hawkeyes were proud to wear the ANF on their helmet while representing the University of Iowa, and that pride in the heritage of Iowa agriculture and affinity for farmers remains strong today.

Their personal stories showing the work ethic, tenacity and character that define ANF are told here.

2024: BRANDON MYERS | PRAIRIE CITY, IA

A Hawkeye from 2004 – 2008
Raised in the tight-knit farming community of Prairie City, Brandon Myers grasped the significance of agriculture from a young age by working alongside his grandparents on their farm. Those early experiences were pivotal, teaching him the value of hard work and the necessity of perseverance, even on tough days. The same resilience and dedication he developed on the farm field later propelled him on the football field, where he played at the University of Iowa before enjoying eight successful seasons in the NFL. Brandon is honored to be a part of the ANF program, which highlights the crucial role of farming as the backbone of our nation and the heartbeat of Iowa.

2023: BRYAN BULAGA | CRYSTAL LAKE, IL

A Hawkeye from 2007 – 2009
Bryan Bulaga was born and raised in Illinois and never grew up on a farm, yet agriculture still plays an important role in his own personal story. Both his great-grandfather and in-laws have close ties to farming, so Bryan is keenly aware of the important role agriculture plays in not only feeding and fueling the world, but also in ensuring our national security. Being part of an Iowa football team that included many farm kids, Bryan learned early on what being ‘farm strong’ is all about. Through his football career and life experiences, he’s learned that no matter the obstacles, winners’ power-through and never give up. It’s that same ‘can-do’ perseverance that not only sets him apart on the playing field but sets farmers apart on their farm fields every day.

2022: TONY MOEAKI |  WARRENVILLE, IL

A Hawkeye from 2005 – 2009

Tony Moeaki, like most Iowans, didn’t grow up on a farm, but farming is a part of his family’s legacy. Tony’s grandfather was a farmer in Tonga and his farming operation provided enough food for his family and others in their community and generated enough savings to eventually bring his family to the United States. It’s that heritage that Tony credits for his own character and work ethic both on and off the football field and has instilled in him a strong affinity for agriculture and the farmers who play a critical role in producing our food, fuel and fiber.

2021: MARSHAL YANDA | ANAMOSA, IA

A Hawkeye from 2005 – 2007

Marshal Yanda is a 5th generation farm kid who grew up on a dairy farm just outside of Anamosa, Iowa. Marshal talks about how the work ethic he learned on the family farm ultimately led him to the highest level in professional sports – which includes a 13-year NFL career with All-Pro and Super Bowl Champion bragging rights. He credits his parents for that upbringing as they were great examples of the dedication, hard-work and care it takes to be successful not only in agriculture, but in life. Marshal talks about the importance of livestock farming today and why this “no days off” lifestyle is necessary so we can all enjoy the many products it provides us every day.

2019: MATT KROUL | MT. VERNON, IA

A Hawkeye from 2004 – 2008

Matt Kroul is part of a farm family that goes back to the 1860s. He grows produce, corn, and soybeans, and raises beef cows on his diversified farm. He’s involved with community-supported agriculture (CSA) and is an integral part of the local food system. Matt believes that losing agriculture would take away the foundation of what Iowa really is. It’s the small towns many of us live in, it’s the hundreds of products made from the crops farmers here grow, and it’s the perseverance against unpredictability and challenges. Matt is a shining example of why America Needs Farmers, embracing the mindset of “adapt, overcome, and succeed” that he showed on the field and puts to work on his farm.

2018: AARON KAMPMAN |  KESLEY, IA

A Hawkeye from 1998 – 2001

Growing up in Kesley, Iowa, Aaron Kampman knew about planting, growing and harvesting long before he lettered in football for the University of Iowa. From an early age he understood the intricacies of farming from his grandparents – describing farmers as faithful, humble and hard-working. With the population of the world surpassing 7.6 billion people, Aaron knows farmers will step up to the plate to feed a growing population. He likens the togetherness of the farming community to the togetherness he experienced in the Hawkeye football locker room. Aaron feels ANF is a great celebration of our farmers and a wonderful reminder, that together we are greater than we are apart.

2017: CHAD GREENWAY | MT. VERNON, SD

A Hawkeye from 2001 – 2005

Chad Greenway grew up on a family farm near Mount Vernon, South Dakota, where he helped his family grow crops and raise pigs. The work ethic and determination he learned on the farm has helped all throughout his career. Just as he puts it on the line every game day, he knows first-hand that farmers put it on the line every day to grow our country’s food and fiber. Greenway talks about the importance of farming and how it’s the foundation on which our country stands.

2015: ROBERT GALLERY | MASONVILLE, IA

A Hawkeye from 1999 – 2003

Robert Gallery shares his story and farming legacy. Farming is something he’s proud of, and something we can all be proud of as a state that helps to feed the world. He farms corn and soybeans, and knows that farming teaches you the values of hard work and doing things right.

2016: DALLAS CLARK | LIVERMORE, IA

A Hawkeye from 1999 – 2002

Dallas Clark, a small-town Iowa boy from Livermore, takes great pride in his Iowa upbringing. Growing up in Iowa taught him the value of hard work and that no obstacle is too hard to overcome, the very same values he took to the football field everyday while playing at the University of Iowa where he earned All-American honors and was recognized as the top college tight end in the nation. Clark talks about his love for the state of Iowa, our farmers and why he’s proud to be part of this ANF initiative.

2014: BRUCE NELSON | EMMETSBURG, IA

A Hawkeye from 1998 – 2003

Bruce Nelson grew up on a family farm near Emmetsburg, Iowa, where he helped his family grow crops and raise livestock. According to Nelson, there’s a lot similarities between farming and football. You’re always working with what the environment gives you and once you get that dirt under your fingernails, it’s hard to get it out. That desire to preserve lives on. No one knows that better than Nelson, who after retirement from the NFL, continues to farm in his hometown of Emmetsburg. Nelson talks about the importance of ANF and why he’s proud to be one of many Iowa farmers who are not only feeding the world, but fueling it too!

2013: JARED DEVRIES | APLINGTON, IA

A Hawkeye from 1995 – 1998

Jared DeVries grew up on a family farm near Aplington, Iowa, helping his father grow crops and learning values like hard work, dedication and determination. He took his farm-learned work ethic on to the University of Iowa, where he developed into an all All-Big Ten defensive tackle (1995-1998) and second-team All American. DeVries talks about ANF, what it means to him, our state and our country.

2012: CASEY WIEGMANN | PARKERSBURG, IA

A Hawkeye from 1991 – 1995

Casey Wiegmann grew up in Parkersburg, Iowa and although he never farmed, his father has worked for John Deere for the past 35 years, so farming and agriculture have always been a part of his life. As a kid he helped local farmers by detassling. Wiegmann played at the University of Iowa from 1991-1995 and earned second team All-Big Ten honors as an offensive linemen. Wiegmann shares his thoughts on ANF, why it’s important, and what it meant for him to wear the decal while playing for Hayden Fry.