Pizz-A-Thon Teaches Kids about Agriculture and Food

Judges at the Pizz-A-Thon competition.

It’s amazing to see students ‘reactions when they learn how their food is grown and what ingredients are added to products that they consume each day. During the competition, one judge asked the students to explain any surprises they found as they researched the ingredients on their pizzas.  One student said, “She didn't realize they had to add bacteria to milk in the process of making cheese.”


As a district field manager for Iowa Corn it’s amazing to see the children’s faces light up when they realize how many products corn is really in.  Often times, students see the products for what they really are not what ingredients were involved making the final products that we all purchase from the grocery stores.

Pizz-A-Thon is a program that was developed to create a “hands on-real world” experience, teaching students about agriculture.  The program was developed at Iowa State University by Eldon Weber and has been used for the past 12-years in the Cedar Rapids, Marion and Quad Cities.

The group of students who won the competition.

This hands-on experience centers on learning and competitions, which teaches the students about developing and protecting our food production resources and the value of working as a team.  The “Pizz-A-Thon” includes lessons across many subjects including social studies, language arts, art, science, math, and health, physical education and more. Students compete in preparing and marketing pizza and an art contest with a pizzeria logos and place mats created by the students.  Awards are available in areas where sponsors are supporting the Pizz-A-Thon.

Danielle Yates joined Iowa Corn in October 2012 as a District Field Manager in East Central Iowa.  She grew up on a family farm near Palo, attended Iowa State University and graduated with a degree in Public Service and Administration in Agriculture.  She currently resides in Benton County.  Danielle’s passion to promote agriculture will continue with education, grassroots and outreach efforts.