40 Reasons Why America Needs Farmers

When people picture Iowa, they might think of cornfields. Or maybe pigs. But that’s not even half the story.

Whether it’s the crayons in your child’s backpack, the tires on your car or the ingredients in your medicine cabinet and cosmetics—Iowa farmers work quietly behind the scenes to produce the products you depend on.

That’s why, for 40 years, America Needs Farmers (ANF) has stood for more than just three letters on a football helmet. It’s a symbol of strength, resilience and the positive impact Iowa farmers have on our state.

To celebrate this milestone, we’re revealing 40 surprising ways agriculture touches your everyday life, leading up to the 2025 ANF Game Day at Kinnick on October 18. Because whether you reside in a rural town or a populated city, the steadfast commitment of an Iowa farm family is likely closer than you think.