A Winning Combination

A Winning Combination

By Bethany Baratta

Iowa Farm Organization Supports and Celebrates Iowa's Student-Athletes

Students learn plenty of lessons inside a classroom, but sometimes a broader perspective can be advantageous. Take teamwork and resiliency, for example. Students can learn about teamwork and resiliency through a book but experiencing them as part of a sports team or through extracurricular activities helps make the lesson more meaningful.

In the classroom or on the field, Iowa Farm Bureau invests in partnerships with the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) to celebrate achievements in and out of the classroom.

“We seek to create a vibrant future for agriculture, our farm families and the communities in which we live,” says Craig Hill, a soybean, corn and pig farmer near Ackworth and immediate past president of Iowa’s largest general farm organization. “Iowa’s youth are vital to agriculture and Iowa’s communities.”

The student and athletic sponsorships mirror Iowa Farm Bureau’s mission, says Hill.

Recognizing Academic Achievement

Iowa Farm Bureau celebrates students in all 99 counties in the state, representative of the makeup of the organization’s nearly 160,000 members.

The Governor’s Office, IHSAA, IGHSAU and its title sponsor – Iowa Farm Bureau – annually present the Governor’s Scholar Program. It recognizes nearly 400 of Iowa’s best students. Applicants aren’t required to be athletes to receive the recognition, though many are involved in athletics and activities outside of the classroom.

“Part of the partnership is linking the concept of the full student-athlete who is active in the classroom and focused on academics because it’s their path to the future,” says Chad Elsberry, IHSAA assistant director.

Recipients of the Governor’s Scholar recognition go beyond being good students. They’re also often involved in extra-curricular activities like fine arts and athletics, notes Elsberry.

Celebrating Athletic Excellence

Iowa Farm Bureau’s investment also recognizes student-athletes on the track, court, field and everywhere in between. Support of the girls’ and boys’ athletic associations provides funding for coaches’ clinics, preparing coaches with the tools they need to be effective role models for Iowa’s youth.

The partnership celebrates students’ efforts in their respective sports. Team plaques, championship balls, championship hats and team pictures are a few of the mementos Iowa Farm Bureau provides students and schools commemorating their achievements on the playing field.

“It’s a way to celebrate their accomplishments in the tournament and a reminder of the work they put in every day,” says Dana Ardary, marketing manager for Iowa Farm Bureau.

Hill is often seen presenting the awards to winning teams.

“It’s so gratifying to meet the kids and hand out the awards,” Hill says. “My son Adam played on a state basketball championship team, so I know how much it

means to the student-athlete, family and community. It’s a great opportunity for us to celebrate hard work and outstanding achievements.”

Noting the achievement of the Governor’s Scholar Program recipients and their efforts outside of the classroom, Hill says recognizing student-athletes is a double reward.

“When you recognize an individual’s athletic achievements, you know they’re probably also striving to be a good student,” he says.

Supporting Health, Impacting Families

In 2018, Iowa Farm Bureau expanded its support of studentathletes by providing no-cost concussion insurance coverage for student-athletes.

The HeadStrong Concussion Insurance program covers all male and female students in grades 9 to 12 participating in practice or events sanctioned by the IHSAA and IGHSAU.

“The well-being of our youth is important,” Hill says. “Providing concussion insurance helps alleviate some of the health and financial concerns of coaches, parents and participants.”

The provided coverage is another element of Iowa Farm Bureau’s commitment to Iowa’s youth and communities, Elsberry says.

“Iowa Farm Bureau has made a tremendous commitment and investment in Iowa communities and schools,” Elsberry says. “We value it very much, knowing it helps serve the whole student – the student in the classroom and the student involved in activities.”