10 Ways Iowa Corn Changed My Life

Every day graduation is one step closer. As my last semester races by, I think of all the people that have changed my life over these four years. That list is long, but the men and women at Iowa Corn are certainly near the top. Here are some of the best memories we've made together.

There's just something about that Hilton Magic! All Iowa State
students should experience the thrill of a CyHawk game!

1. CyHawk Series - You're not getting the full Iowa State student experience if you skip the CyHawk games. Whether it's standing in the deafening student section at Hilton or handing out 8,000 t-shirts at Jack Trice, Iowa Corn has touched every corner of my student experience. The Iowa v. Iowa State rivalry is fun in itself, but seeing my favorite farmers and reminders of all their hard work at the games is the cherry on top. Plus, who's day isn't a little better after a high five from Captain Corn?

Meeting Marco Andretti was one of the biggest highlights of the
Ethanol Powered Weekend, but there were so many cool parts!

2. Ethanol Powered Weekend - I never have been much of a racing fan, so if you told high school me that one of my college highlights would be a whole weekend at the Iowa Speedway I would have laughed in your face. Well, college senior me is here to say it's true! Being that close to such fast cars, fueled by ethanol from corn produced on farms of the fans that surrounded me was really neat. Between meeting farmers and munching on sweet corn I learned all kinds of cool facts. Did you know, today over 95% of all fuel sold in the U.S. is blended with 10% ethanol?! To top it off I got to ride in the pace car, meet Marco Andretti and tour the pits! (We’ll save the story where I spill a whole cooler of butter patties in the middle of an intersection for another blog post.)

I've had such a good time serving as an officer of ISU Corn Growers with
these ladies.

3. Network - Iowa Corn has given me an incredible network that I'll keep in touch with for years to come. Because of them, I know people who are passionate about agriculture, just like me, across the country. I've had the opportunity to work next to some of the most passionate agvocates (like Carrie and Janelle) while at Iowa Corn. Everyone in the organization inspires me with their work ethic and dedication to Iowa's farmers.

Meeting these Iowa bloggers at #AgChat Conference was truly
life changing! I can't wait to see where this blog takes me after all
 their advice.

4. ISU Corn Growers - For the last four years, when I wasn't in class, chances are I was at a club activity. Iowa State University Corn Growers Association (ISUCGA) has given me a chance to grow my friendships and leadership skills. With my fellow members, I've put on large events, cleaned up the local highway and traveled around the state. Serving as this group's secretary challenged me to grow creatively and as a teammate. Together, we made many memories that will last a lifetime.

Pump promotions with Iowa Corn were such a fun way to travel the state
and talk to people about ethanol.

5. Ag Chat Conference - If you follow my social media, you know I traveled to Nashville in November for an AgEI trip and #AgChat conference. The conference inspired me and was the last push of motivation I needed to tackle re-branding this blog. In just two days, my photography and writing improved. So many ladies generously shared their advice with me. It was also awesome to meet bloggers I've admired for years in real life. None of this would have been possible without Iowa Corn's generous sponsorship. Extra shout out to my new friend Alicia at Pork Diaries for driving me all the way back to Iowa!

During my internship I went on some really neat farm tours with foreign
teams. It was awesome to see them learn about American agriculture.

6. Internship - For many college students, internships are the highlight of their college career. I'm no exception. The summer after my sophomore year I had the privilege of spending three months as the Market Development intern in Iowa Corn's office. In that short time I experienced so much! More importantly than mastering Excel or learning how to ship thousands of t-shirts, I began to understand the global impact Iowa corn farmers make. By attending the Governor's Livestock Charity Steer Show, Ethanol Powered Weekend and hosting foreign teams I learned how important corn is to the livestock, fuel and export industries. There's no way I could remember all the facts and figures I heard that summer, but I will admit www.iowacorn.org has been cited as a source for more than one of my course papers. 

Last year our ISUCGA group went on an industry tour to Pioneer in
Johnston, Iowa. I learned so much!

7. Twitter Takeover - Anyone who knows me, even just a little, knows I'm passionate about sharing the stories of agriculture, especially on social media. That's why I was so giddy when Iowa Corn asked me to take over their Twitter account for a day last semester. It was so much fun to share how the organization and ag community have impacted my life with all their followers.

8. Wardrobe - This is one of those unintended benefits of involvement with Iowa Corn. I lost track of how many Iowa Corn shirts I've collected a long time ago, but I'm confident I could get through a week or two without repeating a one.

9. Farmland - Last spring, ISUCGA pulled off a wonderful Farmland Screening and Panel event. That night, guests watched the documentary Farmland, and had the opportunity to ask questions of six local Iowa farmers. Organizing this event is one of my biggest accomplishments of the last four years, but it wouldn't have been possible without the support of Iowa Corn. They lent us Captain Corn and the 8 foot farmers, plus donated cups (made from corn) so everyone could enjoy popcorn and drinks with the movie. The experience just wouldn't have been complete without popcorn!! 

10. Industry Visits - The Market Development internship and ISUCGA opened doors to visit many ag businesses. I've learned more about livestock and seed corn production thanks to Iowa Corn related trips. You can read more of what I learned at a cattle feedlot, dairy days, egg facility and Pioneer in their individual blog posts.

It's safe to say college wouldn't have been the same without Iowa Corn. I'm so thankful they've been part of my agricultural journey so far, and I can't wait to see where the future leads. To learn more about their organization and how it can change your life go to www.iowacorn.org. To keep up with all they're doing with farmers and college students like me around the state follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Thanks for reading!

Ag Jobs A to Z: Industry Relations Specialist

Photo Credit: Emma Andrew, Industry Relations Specialist

If you've been following Roots on social media, you know I traveled to Nashville, Tennessee in November for AgChat Conference, thanks to Iowa Corn. (It was also combined with this AgEI trip.) While I was there I took pages and pages of notes to help me improve as a blogger. I also met tons of fantastic agriculture professionals and agvocates. As I wrap up this Ag Jobs A to Z series, I can't wait to introduce you to a few of them.

We'll start off with Emma Andrew. I really appreciate the time she took to share her perspective as an Industry Relations Specialist. Read more to learn about her career working with dairy. Also, keep an eye out for her work in your local grocery store dairy isle or on the Fuel Up Play 60 campaign!

1.Where did you go to school?
I went school at the State University of New York at Geneseo (SUNY Geneseo) I studied Communication: Media & Journalism with a minor in Spanish.

2. What inspired you to pursue a job in industry relations?
Growing up on a large dairy farm taught me the importance of hard work and instilled a passion for the dairy industry. I wanted to use my skills in the field of communication and Spanish to promote and support the dairy industry. I desired to share my knowledge of the dairy industry with consumers to enhance their understanding of the many benefits dairy farms provide the local community. It was my aspiration to have a career that allowed me to pursue that goal.

3. How long have you been working in industry relations?
I have been doing Industry Relations since June 2014. 

4. What skills are necessary for a career in industry relations?

• Public speaking
• Flexibility of time, work, and schedule
• Ability to create promotions, stories, contests, dialogues, and programs to enhance dairy industry’s image.
• Relate well with farmers
• Dairy industry knowledge or background (is beneficial not required)
• Basic Computer skills
• Social media skills
• Ability to write clearly and concisely 
• Willing to travel 

5. How does your job fit into the agricultural industry? (Who do you work with? Who do you help? Who helps you?) 
I work for The American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, the dairy Check-off organization for NY, parts of PA and NJ. We promote dairy products and farmer image through various programs (Fuel Up to Play 60, Breakfast After the Bell, Dairy aisle reinventions, RD talks, farm tours, etc.) We work with other producer groups like NEDPA, Farm Bureau.

6. What career/internship opportunities are there in industry relations?
DMI has internships available and all of the major dairy coops.

7. Is there anything else you would like a student audience to know?
It is the perfect career for Ag Communications Students. 

Huge thanks to Emma for sharing about her job as an Industry Relations Specialist! Thanks for reading!

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Monday Night Movie Night: Frank Doll

It's been a long time since I've shared a Monday Night Movie Night, but with all the exciting Why I Farm releases recently, I can't help myself today.

Today, I'm sharing Frank Doll's Why I Farm video. It's the first video released as Beck's Why I Farm campaign enters its third year. Unfortunately, I've never met Frank, but working on his video as part of my summer internship had an impact on me. 

Hearing friends and community members speak so highly of him really made me think. How would people respond if they were interviewed about me?

There's just something that warms my heart when I hear a mother speaking about her children. I love how Judy supports Frank's agvocacy!

I've always admired women in ag, farm moms and wives! It's pretty neat to hear how much raising their sons on the farm means to Pam, especially since she grew up outside the dairy industry.

I can really relate to Derrik's comments. Back home, there are a handful of farmers that welcomed me to learn from their operation and sparked my interest in agriculture. They are mentors, friends and role models. Like Derrik, I'm thankful for the influence these agvocates have had in my life.

I could talk to farmers like Homer all day. His smile projects his passion for the farm before you hear him say a word. I love his slow storytelling and vision for the future. You can just tell by the twinkle in his eye, he's proud of where his son is leading the farm.

All in all, I was most inspired by Frank himself. On top of working 14+ hours Sunday to Sunday, he never stops sharing his agricultural story. He cares about his cows and the consumers that enjoy the products that come from his farm. 

I hope you're touched by these stories as I have been. I can't wait to see what the Why I Farm campaign will release next! Thanks for reading!

Wordless Wednesday: FarmHer

For this week's Wordless Wednesday I'm sharing another guest photographer's amazing work! Last week at the AgEI Entrepreneurship Roundtable, I was blessed to meet Marji Guyler-Alaniz. This sweet lady is on a mission to share the story of women in agriculture through her talents behind the camera. Her photos are currently featured at the Des Moines Social Club and have been picked up by Huffington Post and the popular site, Upworthy. I hope you are inspired by each of these photos as much as I have been!

I'd love to share more about my time with Marji and her business, but since I cheated last week, I better keep this Wordless Wednesday on track. Please visit the FarmHer website for more details and "Like" the FarmHer Facebook page to see the latest happenings with the project. Thanks for reading!

Monday Night Movie Night, 2nd Edition!

I was excited to see so many people checked out last week's blog post, Monday Night Movie Night, I decided to share other clips I've been enjoying lately. As always, I'd love to hear your feedback and let me know what gems you've found on YouTube!

Even though I study agriculture, work in agriculture, and dream about agriculture I have a lot to learn on the subject! Despite my love of dairy products, the industry is something I know very little about. Check out this clip to learn about the production of some of my favorite foods.

(Click the photo)

A Monday Movie Night isn't complete without a little fun. The now world famous Peterson Farm Brothers have several parody videos that are sure to make you laugh. Listen closely to their clever lyrics and you may learn a bit too! Here's their latest video, All I Do Is Farm. Visit their YouTube channel for hours of entertainment.

I had never heard of gluten until high school when a close friend's mom found out she had Celiac disease. Now, gluten-free items are advertised in nearly every aisle of the grocery store. This video breaks down all the rage to simple facts that are easy to understand... and there are sweet doodles!

Here's another parody video I just had to share with you! This kid isn't even in high school yet, and is already a great agvocate! Cute, inspiring, and pretty catchy!

Animal health and comfort is a priority for livestock producers around the country. I recently discovered this YouTube channel, and have enjoyed learning about real farming practices and why farmers do what they do. Learn about keeping hogs healthy here.

Watching all these videos again makes me so proud to be a part of the agricultural industry. Maybe, I'll even make one of my own some day. Thanks for reading!

Northwest Iowa Dairy Days

One of the reasons I finally decided to begin my blogging journey has been my internship with Iowa Corn. I'm so blessed to be able to work in the Market Development department and surround myself with so many experts in agriculture. Later this summer, you'll hear more about my big projects like pump promotions, foreign teams, and the Iowa Corn Indy 300. 

Every once in a while, to help out other departments in the office, I get to go on their trips. Several weeks ago I traveled with our Communications intern to Northwest Iowa for a Dairy Days event. Because it wasn't my project I didn't know what our night would entail, but as soon as we arrived realized I was in for a treat!

The educational event was hosted by Plymouth Dairy Farms near LeMars, Iowa. The 2,700 head dairy farm invited families of all ages to join them for an open house that included tours of the dairy, kids activity tent, and a free meal. I was so disappointed we ran out of time before I got the chance to hop on the tour, but was really impressed with the neat and clean facilities on the farm. Western Iowa Dairy Alliance and Midwest Dairy Association were excellent sponsors. Many passionate volunteers directed visitors, passed out literature, and offered a helping hand to those of us setting up booths.


The Iowa Corn display was inside the children's tent along with tables from Iowa State Extension, a petting zoo, the corn pools and other commodity group's information. I loved watching little ones squeal with excitement as they pet young calves, bunnies and kittens. A large crowd of children enjoyed burying themselves in the corn pools. 

 

 



At our table families lined up to make corn necklaces for a solid two hours. Despite heavy rain the line was steady. It was so exciting to see eager young faces curious about corn. As the children filled their small baggies with soil, selected a corn seed, watered it and clipped it on a lanyard we asked them questions. "Is the corn hard or soft? Do you eat this kind of corn? Why are you putting water in there?" As they moved down the line Sarah, the other intern, and I explained, "This corn is hard, not soft and juicy like sweet corn. You eat sweet corn at your house, but these cows eat hard corn. The corn helps the cows produce the milk you drink. If you tasted their corn you'd think it was yucky. Corn plants need water just like you to grow big and strong." By the time the kids proudly held their finished project they were repeating all they'd just learned to their parents.

At the end of the night, over 200 corn necklaces had been made. According to an article in the local newspaper, more than 2,000 visitors completed the tour. Several employees of the nearby ice cream plant, Wells Blue Bunny, brought their families to see where the products they make start out. After our display was torn down and the Escape was packed up we enjoyed burgers and ice cream bars.

I truly enjoyed my visit to Northwest Iowa and agvocating with so many others in the ice cream capital of the world! Thanks for reading!

For more photos check out the Western Iowa Dairy Alliance Facebook album here.

5 Agvocates to Check Out While You Wait For The Storm To Clear

All across Iowa we've experienced heavy rains and strong winds lately. If you're still waiting for the storm to pass, roads to open up, or fields to dry out (and even if you're not) take some time to check out these excellent agriculture bloggers. I regularly follow their pages and have been fortunate enough to meet a few. These agvocates are my role models, and are great about communicating what is happening on the their farms.

1. Katie Olthoff

Last summer I was lucky enough to meet Katie Olthoff at a social media class in Hampton, Iowa. Then, about 6 months later she was panelist at a Food Dialogues event I attended at Iowa State University.  A busy farmer, mother, and business owner, Katie is dedicated to blogging about her experiences through the Commonground organization. Her perfect blend of farm stories, cute DIY posts, and life lessons make her blog an enjoyable and informative read.
http://www.onthebanksofsquawcreek.com/

2. Dairy Carrie

Now an industry wide known agvocate, Dairy Carrie is one of the leaders in communicating farm practices to consumers. I first learned of her work last summer and pick up something new from her Facebook page or blog almost daily. In the past year, I've learned you can always count on her posts to be the honest truth, good news or bad, straight from the farm. I admire her courage to talk about tough issues like animal accidents/death and face large companies, like Panera Bread, that post anti-farmer messages. Someday, I'd love to visit her operation or hear her speak in person.
http://dairycarrie.com/


3. Trent Loos

Before I'd ever heard of agvocating, or Iowa State was ever on my radar, I attended an agricultural communications conference where I heard Mr. Loos speak for the first time. Immediately, I was captivated by his passion and knowledge. In the few hours I spent with him, the facts and figures he shared planted the seeds for my agvocating roots. The realities he shared shocked and angered me. Since then, I've enjoyed checking in on his website and listening to his radio show. Hopefully he will come to Iowa State again.
http://www.loostales.com/


4. Larry Sailer

At the same time I met Katie last summer, I was introduced to Mr. Sailer's blog posts. I enjoy the perspective he can share as he's experienced many changes in the agricultural industry. His humble approach and impressive network make his posts feel like a warm conversation at the local coffee stop. The stories he writes often include references to the small towns where I completed my first internship and truly communicate the close knit, rural area's dynamics.
http://www.thefieldposition.com/author/larrysailer/

5. Peterson Farm Brothers

As a college student, it's been really easy for me to look at the last four blogs regularly and admire all the work they've been doing for the industry. For the past two years thoughts of "When I grow up and blog..." have filled my daydreams. It all seemed so far away and unrealistic to make a part of my life until I saw some guys my age stepping up. Their agvocacy adventure began with parody videos like this and has transformed into farm tours and international speaking trips.
https://www.facebook.com/PetersonFarmBros
http://www.petersonfarmbros.com/index2.php#!/HOME