The Minnesota Pork Board is among nine Minnesota agricultural groups working together on a statewide campaign to further educate consumers on how farmers raise the crops and livestock that reach grocery store shelves and meat cases.
Consumers are encouraged to visit the website, www.FarmersFeedUS.org, to enter an online sweepstakes featuring two grand prizes of free groceries for a year, each valued at $5,000.
Upon visiting the site consumers enter the sweepstakes by first meeting a Minnesota farmer who will describe his or her farming operation and who will guide visitors through the contest registration process.
The Minnesota Pork Board’s featured farmer at FarmersFeedUS.org is Nicollet County pork producer Judy Bode of Courtland. Also showcased are Minnesota beef, chicken, corn, dairy, egg, soybean and turkey farmers.
Throughout the 90-day sweepstakes, Bode and the other farmers will be seen in television advertising, on Facebook and Twitter, at the Minnesota State Fair and other consumer events.
Bode, her husband Reuben, and their son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Missy, have a farrow-to-wean hog farm that employs seven and provides weaned pigs for finishing to 12 other families, including their daughter
and son-in-law, Lisa and Dan Fischer, and son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Lora. The Bode’s three
Consumers who visit the FarmersFeedUS.org website will be introduced to Judy and Reuben Bode’s family and farm. Members of the Bode family are:(front, left to right) Judy and Reuben Bode; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Dan Fischer; daughter-in-law and son, Lora and Craig; and daughter-in-law and son, Missy and Ryan. On the tractor, from left to right are grandchildren Emily Fisher, (daughter of Lisa and Dan), holding Ava Bode, (daughter of Craig and Lora); Eric Fischer, (son of Lisa and Dan); Madelyn Bode (daughter of Craig and Lora); and Gavin, Collin and Dustin Bode(sons of Ryan and Missy).
children are fourth generation hog farmers.
Bode’s responsibilities on the farm are primarily in the farrowing barns where she takes care of sows and newborn pigs. She also works in other segments of the hog operation and assists with crop production. She grew up on a dairy farm, became a beautician after high school and returned to farming after marriage.
“I never seem to tire of watching the miracle of pigs being born,” Bode said.
Bode believes it’s important for those who work in agriculture to educate consumers on where their food originates and how farmers care for their livestock, farmland and communities.
“I believe that we all need to work together to help feed this world,” she said. “I love what I do in my little corner of God’s country and I try to do my best every day. Taking pride in our farm is what gives me the greatest satisfaction."
Other featured farmers and participating commodity groups are:• Brian Asmus, egg farmer, Winthrop Broiler & Egg Association of Minnesota • Shannon Kuball, dairy farmer, Waterville Midwest Dairy Association • Kent Meschke, turkey farmer, Little Falls Minnesota Turkey Research & Promotion Council • Brian Schafer, beef cattle farmer, Goodhue Minnesota Beef Council • Greg Schwarz, corn farmer, Le Sueur Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council • Charity Vold, dairy farmer, Glenwood Minnesota Farm Bureau • Matt Widboom, soybean farmer, Worthington Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council • Bill Wuertz, chicken farmer, Paynesville Broiler & Egg Association of Minnesota • Minnesota Department of Agriculture, staff time
Consumers who visit the FarmersFeedUS.org website will be introduced to Judy and Reuben Bode’s family and farm. Members of the Bode family are:(front, left to right) Judy and Reuben Bode; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Dan Fischer; daughter-in-law and son, Lora and Craig; and daughter-in-law and son, Missy and Ryan. On the tractor, from left to right are grandchildren Emily Fisher, (daughter of Lisa and Dan), holding Ava Bode, (daughter of Craig and Lora); Eric Fischer, (son of Lisa and Dan); Madelyn Bode (daughter of Craig and Lora); and Gavin, Collin and Dustin Bode(sons of Ryan and Missy).
