Iowa Farm Women Creating CommonGround With Consumers

With more Americans growing up in urban and suburban areas, miles from farm life, there is an increasing disconnect between consumers and the people who grow their food.  In a uniquely mom-driven campaign, Iowa farm women are joining together to talk to other women about food production, food safety, the environment, farm life and their common ground.

The Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Corn Promotion Board, Iowa Corn Growers Association, the National Corn Growers Association and the United Soybean Board have joined together with five states including Iowa to spearhead a grassroots campaign that showcases the common values and expectations between farmers and consumers.  The grassroots program is called CommonGround.

The program aims to feature farm women as the face of production agriculture.  Three woman from across Iowa are participating in the pilot program: Sara Ross, Minden; Suzanne Shirbroun, Farmersburg; and Jill Vander Venn Hartley.

This video was taken at the launch of the Iowa program in February:

Besides holding various events across Iowa, the Iowa volunteers also use social media tools to talk about life on the family farm. They use Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and blogs to connect with Iowans about modern food production.

You can follow each of their blogs via the links below:

Sara - www.sarashousehd.blogspot.com
Jill - www.cornfieldsandtractorwheels.blogspot.com
Suzanne - www.suzannecommonground.blogspot.com

And from time to time, we will feature their posts right here on Iowa Corn sTalk!