Iowa Farm Bureau and the University of Iowa are offering Hawkeye fans a chance to win four tickets and on-field sideline access to the America Needs Farmers (ANF) game against Penn State University on October 18. Fans can enter by visiting IowaFarmBureau.com/ANFExperience and completing a short quiz about how Iowa farmers provide food while caring for the environment and animals. The contest, which runs through October 8, also includes a Kirk Ferentz autographed football and ANF gear as part of the prize package.
The America Needs Farmers initiative was started by former Hawkeye Coach Hayden Fry during the 1980s Farm Crisis to support farmers. The annual ANF game continues this tradition by recognizing individuals in agriculture who have a positive impact in Iowa and beyond.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of ANF. To commemorate this milestone, Iowa Farm Bureau has partnered with Scott Siepker, known as ‘Iowa Nice Guy,’ for a video series highlighting 40 different ways agriculture affects daily life beyond just food, fuel, and fiber.
Micah Hyde has been named the 2025 recipient of the ANF Wall of Honor. This recognition is given to former University of Iowa football players who demonstrate qualities associated with farming such as tenacity, work ethic, and character. Hyde played as an All-Big Ten defensive back for the Hawkeyes before spending eleven years in the NFL. He attributes his success to lessons learned from working on a family friend’s farm in rural Ohio during his youth.
After his NFL career, Hyde founded Imagine For Youth Foundation, which has raised millions of dollars to help children and families.
Previous recipients of the ANF Wall of Honor include Casey Wiegmann (2012), Jared DeVries (2013), Bruce Nelson (2014), Robert Gallery (2015), Dallas Clark (2016), Chad Greenway (2017), Aaron Kampman (2018), Matt Kroul (2019), Marshal Yanda (2021), Tony Moeaki (2022), Bryan Bulaga (2023) and Brandon Myers (2024).
“Farming and football have each evolved since the inception of ANF during the 1980s, but the values and qualities that define ANF are just as important today — commitment, integrity and a work ethic focused on continuous improvement,” said Brent Johnson, president of Iowa Farm Bureau. “We look forward to welcoming fans to the ANF Legends Tent on ANF game day to celebrate the importance of agriculture in our daily lives and recognizing Micah Hyde as the 2025 ANF Wall of Honoree.”
On game day at Krause Family Plaza’s ANF Legends Tent, fans will be able to meet local farmers, win prizes, get autographs from former Hawkeye players including Micah Hyde, and purchase merchandise supporting both ANF initiatives and benefiting organizations like the Iowa Food Bank Association.
More information is available at AmericaNeedsFarmers.org.
