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WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Farm Bureau and the University of Iowa will showcase the many ways “America Needs Farmers” at the seventh annual ANF Game Day, held Saturday, Sept. 23 at Kinnick Stadium. This nationally televised game against Penn State will bring the story of agriculture to a whole new audience of consumers, but there will also be plenty of ways to celebrate ANF before the 6:30 p.m. kickoff. Once again, many family-friendly activities are on tap at the Iowa Farm Bureau ANF Legends Tent in Krause Family Plaza, beginning at 1:00 p.m. leading up to the kickoff.
New this year, fans will have the opportunity to be part of the first Iowa Hawkeye ANF picture mosaic. Beginning Sept. 20, Hawkeye fans can submit on americaneedsfarmers.org or tag photos with #ANFPoster on Twitter or Instagram to make up a larger photo displayed on an 80-inch monitor which will be on display at the Iowa Farm Bureau ANF Legends tent located south of the stadium. Fans who get their photo taken at the tent to add to the collage have an opportunity to win ANF gear instantly and will also receive an 8-inch by 10-inch mosaic “selfie” print made up of photos of other Hawkeye fans as well as Iowa farmers.
“This mosaic will be a fun addition for Hawkeye fans to enjoy, and it embodies what America Needs Farmers is all about,” said IFBF President Craig Hill. “As the picture comes together, we’ll see Iowa is made up of diverse farmers and Iowans who rely on the goods farmers help produce including those that make up everyday items like tires, medicine, and batteries. And it takes Iowans’ support of agriculture to make it all happen.”
Tent visitors can visit with farmers and play tailgate toss for a chance to win ANF prizes and get autographs from former Hawkeye greats including Marvin McNutt, Kevonte Martin-Manley, James Vandenberg and this year’s ANF Wall of Honoree Chad Greenway.
Greenway played linebacker for the Iowa Hawkeyes from 2002 to 2005, and during his tenure was named first-team All-American by Pro Football Weekly, first-team All-Big Ten and Iowa Hawkeye Special Teams Player of the Year. He played his NFL entire career with the Minnesota Vikings, earning accolades for his work on and off the field, including being named the Byron “Whizzer” White Award winner and the Vikings’ Community Man of the Year for his charitable work to causes and communities. Greenway credits his strong work ethic to the work he did on his family farm near Mount Vernon, South Dakota where they raised pigs, cow-calf pairs, corn, soybeans, and wheat.
“My family and I are so proud to represent the University of Iowa and ANF on the Wall of Fame! This honor is truly special to me as I grew up on a farm in rural South Dakota and love all aspects of farming,” stated Greenway. “Being a part of such a special movement is something I will cherish forever. On Iowa, Go Hawks!”
Greenway is the sixth recipient of the America Needs Farmers Wall of Honor, saluting former University of Iowa football players who exemplify the tenacity, work ethic and character of the Iowa farmer. Greenway will be introduced on-field during the game, and a special ANF presentation by the Hawkeye Marching Band will happen during the pregame.
ANF was created by former University of Iowa football head coach Hayden Fry in 1985 during the Farm Crisis of the 1980’s, a severe economic situation affecting farmers in the Midwest. This year marks the 32nd anniversary of ANF, a longstanding tribute to America’s farmers and a way to connect with Iowa’s farm families to learn more about the production of food, fuel, and fiber. Fans can show their ANF and Hawkeye pride by purchasing merchandise during game day in shops around the stadium with a portion of the proceeds by these sales supporting the Iowa Food Bank Association. This year, ANF gear sales have contributed $32,000 to the Iowa Food Bank Association, and since the inception of the Iowa Farm Bureau and University of Iowa’s partnership in 2011 have raised $145,750 to feed hungry Iowans.
For more information about ANF and Game Day activities, visit www.americaneedsfarmers.org.
