Be #ThankfulforAg and Fight Hunger

I don't think I have really ever experienced what it truly is like to hungry. Not the I just ate lunch and now I'm hungry so I'll have a snack, and a glass of milk, and now I am stuffing my face and not really hungry. I'm talking about the kind of hungry that happens when you haven't ate for awhile, and you have no idea where your next meal is coming from. As farmers we are blessed to know that our freezer and fridge is full of beef that we raise ourselves and other products that our farmer friends grow or raise.

This year I have made a conscious effort to donate to our locate food bank. It has been pretty simple to buy a few extra cans at the grocery store or make a pile of the things that have sat in our cupboards for too long and then run them over to our local pantry. Also, when we butchered our steers we took frozen meat in. I made me so excited that families were going to get nutritious and healthy beef.

This is a great video that explains what a lot of Americans are going through.

The holiday season is here and I have been thinking of other ways that I can help the 1 in 6 Americans that struggle with hunger. I admire the numerous ways that Feeding America helps raise dollars and awareness about hunger. A trip to their website showed me lots of different way we can make a difference this holiday season.

1. Shop online at Zappos.com on Black Friday. For every order placed 10 meals will be donated to Feeding America. 
2. Target and TOMS are teaming up to provide simple ways for Target guests to give back. For every item purchased from a limited-edition collection, Target and TOMS are giving a blanket, one week of meals, or shoes to those in need through American Red Cross, Feeding America, and TOMS. They have everything from TOMS shoes to sweatshirts to candles and bracelets. Shop here! 

And finally my personal favorite. The #ThankfulAg campaign from Bayer Crop Science. When you visit www.thankfulforag.com you get to build your holiday meal, while learning facts about some of our favorite holiday foods. Did you know "One bushel of corn converts to the amount of feed to produce 15.6 pounds of pork." - Iowa Corn Promotion Board

Once you create your meal Bayer Crop Science will donate $1 per share or #thankfullag hashtag to Feeding America. That $1 donation is equal to 10 meals! 

Farmers work hard year round to ensure that there is food for all to eat. Now let's make sure everyone no matter what their situation is has access to that food. If you have ideas of how you support families during the holiday season share them below. 

Real life watermelon feeds and Farm Bureau

Stepping out of the box.

Last night one of the best events of the year was held at my alma mater, Kansas State. It is called Watermelon Feed. Tables upon tables line the lawn of Weber Hall (where the majority of my agriculture classes and livestock judging team practices were held). And at each table is a different club or campus organization you can join. All you have to do is say hi, ask some questions and write your email down and boom you are involved. And then you eat watermelon.

College days are far behind the Boy and I now, and unfortunately there is no Watermelon Feed. I am a pretty outgoing person, however it can be intimidating to get involved in a new community. Especially, when I am used to taking the lead, and I'm finding that a lot of the groups I am interested in are interested in are doing things the same ole, same ole.

However, today I feel like I made a break through. The Boy and I are officially members of the Iowa Farm Bureau and I am hoping to find a new community in this group. I want to 1. make a difference, 2. give back, and 3. be a leader. These things are important to me, and I think most people my age (that would be the upper 20s age bracket) would feel the same.

For those people that are well established in your communities remember that some of us are craving to be apart of something bigger we just need direction, or need to be asked because sometimes it is hard to know what is out there.

And for those of you that are like me. I am finding that you won't always be able to find an email address or twitter handle to get in touch with a contact person. Sometimes you have to pick up the phone or walk into a meeting not knowing what you are getting yourself into.