Farmers Feed US

Missouri Launches 'Farmers Feed US' Campaign
Consumer contest offers free groceries for year and online connection with real farmers.
Compiled by staff - Missouri Ruralist
Published: Jan 11, 2010

On the heels of a successful campaign in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, Missouri's farmers are launching their own "free groceries" sweepstakes on Monday, Jan. 11, featuring five Missouri farmers from different commodity groups. The new campaign was announced Jan. 8 at the Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture in St. Louis.

Upon visiting www.FarmersFeedUS.org, consumers will be able to register for a chance to win by meeting a Missouri farmer and learning how they produce safe, nutritious and affordable food. Consumers can register with each of the five featured farmers daily through April 11, the end of the 90-day program.

"Agriculture is the No. 1 economic driver in Missouri, bringing in $5.62 billion in farm receipts," says Don Nikodim, with the Missouri Pork Association, one of the organizations represented in the program. "And this is an opportunity for five farm families to share what we produce with Missouri consumers and to let them know we share their values -- taking care of our families, taking care of our animals and land and giving back to our communities."

The Web site features beef, corn, dairy, pork and soybean farmers from across the state, who will share information about their family farms. In addition to guiding visitors through their registration for free groceries, each farmer also offers a brief online tour of their farm. Featured farmers include:

Andrew McCrea, beef farmer, Maysville
Rob Korff, corn farmer, Norborne
Shannon Squibb, dairy farmer, Clever
Kenny Brinker, hog farmer, Auxvasse
Chris Filer, soybean farmer, Garden City

Over the course of the 90-day campaign, consumers throughout the state will also see and hear from these farmers as they are featured in advertising and in-store promotions. Consumers will even have the opportunity to interact with these and other Missouri farmers on their blogs and Facebook pages. Link

These are great ideas for anyone looking for ways to connect to consumers. Working with your local grocery stores or building your presence online are just two of many different ways to build that connection. No matter what you are doing, every little bit helps. In fact, all of us doing just a little every day will make a huge difference. I continue to challenge everyone to look for the everyday opportunities to tell your story. ~Troy