It’s the most wonderful time of year, time for another edition of Warm Welcomes from the Farm!
Farmers are home all tucked in their bed, while thoughts of their next planting season dance in their head. Our farmers wish the winter season was that easy!
During this time of year farmers are still playing an active role around the farm, finishing up any field work before the first frost, balancing the end of year books, making plans for next season ’ s crop and caring for their animals in the cold winter conditions. It may not always be the most beautiful time on the farm, but we are happy to share it with you!
In this newsletter you will find delicious corn-inspired holiday recipes, meet the faces of Iowa’s corn farmers, feel inspired about holiday and farm traditions and enter to win our goodie giveaway. We hope you enjoy this latest edition of Warm Welcomes from the Farm!
This fall, farmers across Iowa and the state were busy harvesting their crops they planted and cared for over the last year. This season is one of thanks for the bountiful harvest, safety of those working long hours and for the hard work and dedication of farmers. We are thankful for all farmers who work 365 days a year to put food on our tables this holiday season. Over 97 percent of Iowa farms are owned and operated by family farmers there is extra stress on many farm families to maximize the good days mother nature provides to get the crops out, delivered to market and fall prep work done while school starts and clocks fall back. Meet some of the faces of Iowa’s corn farmers from across the state below and see many of their families who are part of the Iowa family farm! Happy Holidays from our families to yours.
Meet our farmers and learn about their stories here!
Nothing compares to the delicious food during the holiday season. From turkey and gravy to the cookies left out for Santa, food is an instrumental part of bringing us together during the holidays! Find some of our favorites below for this holiday season!
Turkey Prep
Nothing beats a flavorful and juicy turkey on the Thanksgiving or Christmas table. Our friends over at the Iowa Turkey Federation will show you the perfect way to make your turkey a hit this season! Find the full recipe here.
Cornbread Stuffing
Nothing says holiday season like a twist on traditions! This isn’t your mom’s stuffing. Try this corninspired stuffing season alongside your other holiday favorites. Try the recipe here.
Cornmeal Raspberry Linzer Cookies
These crowd-pleasing cookies will be a hit at all your holiday functions this season! Check out the full recipe from Mid-west Dairy for some corn and dairy collaboration here.
Did you know that cornmeal is made from the ‘99%’ of corn that is grown in Iowa, field corn. Seriously, this corn goes into feed, fuel and 4000+ other products you can find in your grocery store!
Hungry for more? Visit our website to see even more corn-inspired recipes!
Corn Grows Iowa, Corn Grows Tradition
By Amanda Fortman, Publications Manager at Iowa Corn
Growing up on my family’s fourth generation farm taught me a lot about traditions. From the holiday traditions of sharing a feast with our closest family and friends and of giving back to those who need more than you, to traditions of hard work and passing down the land down better than you got it, farming and the holidays are surrounded by traditions. Some of my personal favorite traditions include baking holidays goodies with my mom and spending time with friends and family. We all have our way of feeling connected during the holiday season.
I always found that farmers and those in the agriculture industry are some of the most generous people, I saw this growing up and continue to see this working in the industry today. During the fall and through the year you may see farmers helping out their neighbors finish the crop during an unprecedented or difficult year or donating their homegrown pork or beef to a local food pantry to help families right in their own community. They always seem ready to lend a helping hand.
But farmers don’t have to be the only ones with traditions of supporting one another. This holiday season don’t forget to support your local Iowa corn farmer. What to know how? Fuel up your vehicle with Unleaded 88; this is fuel made from corn grown right here in our state. Buy meat, dairy and eggs; these are all corn-fed. Drink water from the tap because corn farmers care about the water they share and take pride in protecting the soil and water. And finally fill your cart with corn this holiday season; corn is found in almost 4,000 grocery store products making it easy to support Iowa farmers every day.
Start your own corn-inspired traditions this holiday season! We hope you know that farmers work every day on behalf of you and your families. From our farm families to yours we hope you have a safe, happy and healthy holiday season!
Popcorn Garland
Decorating the Christmas tree or house for the holiday season can be extra fun and inexpensive this holiday season with this popcorn garland. While over 99% of corn grown in Iowa is field corn, used for ethanol, livestock feed and 4000 other products and 1% being the delicious, sweet corn we enjoy in the summer, there is a small percentage of corn grown in Iowa that is the pop-able kind! What better way to celebrate that Iowa is the #1 corn state than creating a popcorn garland this holiday season. What you will need:
-Popcorn Kernels
-Plastic Yarn Needle
-Thread
-Optional: cranberries, cinnamon sticks, other décor
Find the full directions here.
Unleaded 88 Winning Drive Giveaway
The Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series is in full swing, and you can show your team pride with the Unleaded 88 Winning Drive only from KwikStar. When you fuel up with eight gallons or more of Unleaded 88 with Kwik Rewards, you’ll be automatically entered to win quarterly prize packs worth over $400! You’ll also earn a shot at the grand-prize package worth over $4000, including $2000 in KwikStar gift cards, a pair of tickets to the 2024 Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk football game, and other great prizes to make you the envy of your rivals.
Support Iowa’s corn farmers and learn how to win here.
