The 2006 Field to Food Run, organized by the Iowa NAMA chapter, was a successful event with strong participation from runners and volunteers.

A beautiful 70 degree summer evening provided a perfect setting for the 106 participants who completed the 5K Run in Johnston, IA on Friday, June 23.

The Field to Food Run is a unique race in central Iowa. It starts in the corn and soybean fields at Pioneer Hi-Bred International, winds through the city streets and finishes in the parking lot north of the Hy-Vee Food Store in Johnston. The even is designed to increase awareness about the interdependence of food production from our Iowa farm fields to the quality of food products consumers enjoy from our grocery stores.

At the finish line, several Iowa NAMA members along with several Iowa FFA and Farm Safety 4 Just Kids volunteers participated in providing an “Iowa grown” meal for runners and their families. The meal included pork patties, beef patties, soy nuts, yogurt, chips, fruit, orange juice drinks and hostess cupcakes. Food items were donated by: Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Lee Seed Company, Wells Blue Bunny, Anderson Erickson, Crystal Clear, Cookies BBQ and Steve and Carol Vinton Farms.

Prizes were presented to the top male and female finishers in each age category as well as the top three overall winners among men and women. Prizes for the Run were donated by Garst Seed Company, Solutions, Inc., Iowa Corn, Iowa State Fair and Living History Farms.

For the past 11 years, the Field to Food Run has generated over $50,000 in donations for agriculture related causes. This year’s benefactors included two non-profit organizations, The Iowa FFA Foundation and Farm Safety 4 Just Kids. Funds given to Iowa FFA Foundation will support the Food Science and Technology career development event and Enrichment Center. Proceeds given to Farm Safety 4 Just Kids will support their efforts to promote a safe farm environment to prevent health hazards, injuries and fatalities to children and young adults.

The success of the Field to Food Run would not have been possible without the support of our corporate sponsors, Garst Seed Company, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, DeeZee Manufacturing, Successful Farming, John Deere, Solutions, Inc., Cookies BBQ, Kent Feeds Inc., Agri-Access, Midwest Coaches, Midwest Seed Genetics, Van Wall Group, Vermeer, Two Rivers Marketing, Fitness Sports, The Nest, Denny Elwell Company and Stine Seed Company. Their generosity and support allow us to promote the importance of Iowa agriculture to a consumer audience in a fun and distinctive way.

A special thanks to the 2006 Field to Food Run committee who invested many hours of planning to ensure a successful event. Committee members included: Doug Reynolds, Solutions, Inc.; Carrie Jorgensen, McCormick Company; Joe Baitinger, Farm Market ID; Louann Hausner, John Deere; Roxi Beck, Osborn & Barr Communications; Cortney Malter; Pioneer Hi-Bred International; Steve Bobenhouse, Fitness Sports; and Stephanie Vinton, 2006 Field to Food Run Chair, Agri-Access.