Iowa farm families have always shared the value of giving back to their communities and neighbors in need, and it is that same spirit that has guided the Iowa Farm Bureau’s philanthropy efforts over the years to help make Iowa a better place.

In addition to advocating for farmers, the Iowa Farm Bureau has donated to thousands of local and state organizations and activities over the years to assist farmers, youth, conservation efforts and Iowa families while strengthening Iowa’s communities. Those activities, from FFA and 4-H to the World Food Prize and Character Counts, are too numerous to list, but here are a few noteworthy donations:

Iowa Food Bank Association
The Iowa Farm Bureau, in partnership with the University of Iowa Athletics and Iowa State University Athletics, has donated more than $160,000 to the Iowa Food Bank Association through the America Needs Farmers (ANF) and Farm Strong campaigns. A portion of the proceeds from ANF and Farm Strong merchandise sales is donated to the Iowa Food Bank Association.

Adaptive Sports Iowa
Iowa Farm Bureau is the title sponsor of the Adaptive Sports Iowa (ASI) RAGBRAI cycling team. The team includes 80 athletes and volunteers — men and women from Iowa and across the nation — who have various physical or vision disabilities. The cyclists, sporting jerseys and hats emblazoned with the hashtag #ASIfarmstrong, truly represent the “Farm Strong” values of hard work, commitment and perseverance.

Century & Heritage Farm Awards
The Iowa Farm Bureau is a grand patron sponsor of the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation. During the Iowa State Fair, the Century and Heritage Farm awards, which recognize Iowa farms that have been in the same family for more than 100 years, are presented by the Iowa Farm Bureau and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Farmers Market Bags
To support Iowa’s farmers markets, the Iowa Farm Bureau annually donates 1 million recyclable plastic bags to more than 1,700 farmers market vendors throughout the state. The market bags help Iowa farmers save the extra cost of buying their own bags, while also making it more convenient for customers to safely transport the locally grown produce home.

EBT Equipment
The Iowa Farm Bureau helped launch a successful pilot project that expanded the availability of wireless EBT equipment at farmers markets statewide. The EBT equipment allows farmers to accept debit and credit cards, as well as SNAP cards, which helps increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables for all Iowans.

Ronald McDonald House
Farm Bureau also has participated in the Governor’s Charity Steer Show at the Iowa State Fair since the event began 35 years ago. The show has raised more than $3.2 million for Iowa’s Ronald McDonald House chapters.

Iowa Hunger Summit
The Iowa Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Financial Services are also joint presenting sponsors of the Iowa Hunger Summit. The annual event, held during the World Food Prize in Des Moines, brings together more than 500 hunger-fighting leaders and volunteers throughout the state to share strategies on how to end food insecurity here in Iowa and around the world.