Welcome to Winter…. or Spring? With these abnormally warm February days it is hard to tell if summer is right around the corner or another blowy winter day will jump out and scare us again!
Just like you are itching to break out your favorite pair of shorts and sandals, farmers are itching in anticipation to get our equipment and get in the field. The spring fever is here, but farmers must wait to ensure the best conditions to plant their crop, so ultimately, they can produce the best corn for food, feed and fuel for consumers.
Iowa is #1 in growing corn in the U.S. That’s right, our farmers are pretty dang good at what they do! As a consumer you enjoy this #1 product in over 4,000 everyday products. From the fuel that runs your car to the ingredients filling your cupboards and even that steak you are ready to throw on the grill! Corn is everything!
Check out the latest issue of Warm Welcomes to the Farm to find delicious corn-inspired recipes, hear from a mom and consumer about shopping for corn-fed goodies, enter to win our giveaway and more. We hope you enjoy this latest edition of Warm Welcomes from the Farm!
Meet our farmers and learn about their storieshere!
Tired
Follow Mackenzie along on a corn-fed shopping trip to Fareway. As she fills up her cart with some of the 4,000 corn products. She is proud to feed her family these groceries because she knows that Iowa farmers take pride in the product they produce! of the same old same old recipes? Try out these exciting new corn-fed recipes to mix up your lunch or dinner plans!
Homemade Cheddar Cornbread Recipe:
Check out this delicious corn bread recipe from Midwest Dairy! Mix and match any add-ins to make thiscornbread your own and serve it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Find the full recipe here.
Fareway’s Viral Corn Dip:
This popular corn dip will have you craving it every day! Perfect for sharing with friends at gatherings, or maybe you will want to keep the whole batch for yourself! Enjoy with some corn chips for extra corngoodness! Find the full recipe from Fareway here.
Korean Beef and Vegetable Bowls:
Stir-up your dinner with this corn-fed beef stir-fry recipe courtesy of Iowa Beef Industry Council. This recipe is packed full of protein and veggie goodness! Find the full recipe here.
By Makenzie Eddie
As a mom of three little kids, I’ve often joked that taking a trip to the grocery store alone is the equivalent of a solo vacation. This trip allows for quiet time, getting a few steps in and for me to just do my thing without having to clean up a mess or answer any questions (usually about dinosaurs). In fact, that trip to the store is always one of the bright spots of my week.
And, although I may be making it sound like a mindless task that gives me a little break from the chaos of motherhood, this weekly trip to the store is actually one of the most important jobs I have as a mom. Why? This trip allows me to gather the items I need to ensure my family is not only fed, but fed with nutrient rich, high quality food. As a mom, I know there is a lot I can’t control - from bumps and bruises received on the playground, to conversations on the back of the bus, even the outfits my children decide to put together (express that creative freedom kids!). But, the food they consume absolutely is within my control and that is something I take seriously. It is incredibly important to me that my family consumes food that will fuel not only their bodies, but also their brains and keep them the healthiest versions of themselves.
In today’s world of parenting, there are plenty of things to cause anxiety –but when I head to the grocery store, I have one less thing to worry about, because of the food options available. I am grateful every day to live where I do, knowing so much of the food available to me was grown and raised by the hardworking corn farmers right here in Iowa. From the corn-fed beef, pork and poultry options behind the meat counter, to the milk and cereal I am purchasing, I can feel confident in my decisions because I know for a fact that the farmers who helped create it work hard to produce the best product possible. I have seen firsthand the care and attention farmers put into their jobs, ensuring that every step is checked and rechecked so they can grow a crop that will feed and fuel not only people like me who are close by, but people all over the world.
As amazed as I am about how these little seeds that are planted right here in Iowa during spring grow to be something that can be utilized in a variety of ways that keep my family (and so many other families) healthy and moving, I’m even more amazed at the farmers who make all of this possible. While I’m strolling the aisles of my local Fareway, browsing the over 4,000 products available to me and my family, they’re ensuring that another crop is being safely planted, tended to and harvested, giving so many of us busy parents peace of mind and confidence that will help us face another day of messes, dinosaur questions and crazy outfits. And for that, I’m extremely grateful.
Mackenzie Eddie is a wife and mother of three who makes it a point to see the humor in life. She works as a marketing consultant and content creator, working with brands that align with her personal interests and passions. Mackenzie recently moved with her family back to rural Southeast Iowa, where she grew up. Being part of a small community surrounded by agriculture, hardworking entrepreneurs and nature fuels her creativity every day and continues to bring inspiration for her personal and professional work.
Corn-fed Easter Eggs
Stuck inside on a cold day, but want to bring in the spring excitement? Break out these egg-citing designs on your corn-fed Easter eggs this year! Check out over 30 ideas from Good Housekeeping. Explore them here!