The Iowa NAMA Chapter hosted the “Field to Food Olympics” on June 21, 2008 in conjunction with the Johnston Green Days Festival. This new event evolved from previous years’ 5k run and marks 13 years of Field to Food events for the Iowa Chapter. The Field to Food Olympics highlighted the connection between Iowa agriculture and the food we enjoy every day.

Participants completed four stations:

• Agriculture safety trivia: participate in 101-style trivia to learn about the precautions involved in agriculture.
• Dress for success: gear up for chores by dressing in ag appropriate working attire.
• Pedal tractor driving: navigate through the obstacle course and head to the fields for harvest.
• Find the soybeans: it’s harvest time – search for soybeans in a bucket of corn.

Two beneficiaries, the Iowa FFA Foundation and Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, each will receive a $1,000 donation from the event. The Iowa FFA Foundation will use proceeds to support the Food Science and Technology Career Development Event Awards and the FFA Enrichment Center. Farm Safety 4 Just Kids will use proceeds to support their efforts to promote a safe farm environment to prevent health hazards, injuries and fatalities to children and youth.

The chapter would like to thank the following sponsors: Agri-Access, Baitinger Consulting, CMA Consulting, and Successful Farming. We would also like to thank the volunteers from Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, 2008 Iowa FFA State Officer team, and members of the AIB College and Iowa State University student chapters.