Farmers and Football Season

Football season is back in action. From high school Friday night lights, to college football Saturdays, and NFL Sunday games, the start of jam-packed football weekends has begun. For farmers, however they only have a couple of free weekends for football before it is time for them to be back in the fields and listening to the games on the radio from the combine seat during harvest season.



It can be argued that tailgating is the best part of football because even if your team loses the game, you can always win the tailgate. I am a huge fan of food, so tailgates are always my favorite! If you want to bring a farmer you have to use tailgating to your advantage. There is a lot of good things that can come from tailgating; from meeting up with old friends, playing games, and eating tons of great food. However, the best kind of tailgates are free ones. Tell the farmer this and they will be all excited because no farmer would ever say no to free stuff!



This past weekend I tailgated with my junior class at our home football game at Northeast High School. We grilled burgers and steaks, played bags, and had a great time in the school parking lot before the game. On Saturday, I attended the Iowa State game in Ames. My grandpa went with us to the ISU Alumni tailgate. It has been over 30 years since his last college game and it was a fun history lesson all day with his great stories.



This next weekend, Sept. 14th is the Cy/Hawk Corn Classic Showdown in Ames and I look forward to attending. Regardless of who wins the big game, between the America Needs Farmers Iowa campaign and the Farmstrong Iowa State advertising, it is a great showcase of Iowa farmers and always a fun and free tailgate put on by the Iowa Corn Grower’s Association. Hopefully, my dad will have most of the hay done and will get to go to the game with us.



All in all, I hope you have a fabulous football season along with some great tailgates and enjoy them with your farmer before he gets too busy in the field. Do not forget about the biggest game of the season this upcoming week as the Iowa Hawkeyes travel to Ames to face the Iowa State Cyclones. Place your bets early and hassle your friends who cheer for the other team. Not to be biased or anything but... Go State! ~ Kesley Holdgrafer