The Illinois Corn Marketing Board supported effort called, “Illinois Farm Families” has launched a new website: www.WatchUsGrow.org We know that Moms have questions about farmers, farming, and how we grow your food. We’re opening our doors, and inviting Chicago-area Moms to visit our farms, so we can answer your questions, and show you what really happens on today’s farms. Visit watchusgrow.org and apply to be a Field Mom or subscribe to follow the Field Moms online as they tour our farms.  

May 25, 2011 (PRweb) – Illinois Farm Families understand that consumers have questions about how their food is grown and raised. “We’re offering Chicago-area Moms the opportunity to become Field Moms – to visit our farms, get their questions answered and see firsthand how we grow food for our families and yours,” says Illinois Farm Families spokesperson Donna Jeschke, who grows corn and soybeans in Grundy County, Illinois.  

Illinois Farm Families will equip the Field Moms with video cameras, and let them record and share what they see and learn. Their videos, stories and photos will be available to everyone on www.watchusgrow.org.

Field Moms publicity

In addition to having their videos, photos and comments featured on www.watchusgrow.org, Field Moms also will be participating in media interviews, blogging about their experiences, and appearing in other publicity materials. Field Moms also should be prepared to write journal and blog entries about their farm tour experiences for Twitter and Facebook.

What to expect as a Field Mom

Chicago-area Moms can apply for the opportunity to become a Field Mom at www.watchusgrow.org. To be eligible, a Mom must be an Illinois resident at least 18 years old, with at least one child under the age of 13 living at home.  Applications will be accepted until August 21, 2011.

Field Mom applicants should have a strong interest in learning more about their food and where it comes from. They are expected to be honest, willing to ask questions among peers and farmers, and able to attend up to five day-long farm tours over the next year. Most tours will leave the greater Chicago area at 8 a.m. and return about 6 p.m. More information about Field Mom expectations is available on our website.

Even if you can’t commit to being a Field Mom, you can subscribe to follow the Field Moms on their farm tours, and communicate with them online. Illinois Farm Families will send you email alerts when the Field Moms are on the move, posting thoughts, pictures or videos, or when there’s other news to share. 

During the summer of 2011, subscribers to watchusgrow.org can also register to win free groceries for a year through the Farmers Feed U.S. Sweepstakes. 

About Illinois Farm Families

Illinois Farm Families are Illinois farmers who support Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Soybean Association and Illinois Beef Association. “We’re committed to having conversations with consumers, answering your questions about food, farmers and farming, and openly sharing what really happens on today’s Illinois family farms,” Jeschke explains. As a farmer, mother and grandmother, Jeschke is passionate about showing consumers how Illinois farmers raise food that is safe and healthy.

“That’s what the Field Mom program is all about,” Jeschke continues. “More than 94 percent of Illinois farms are family owned and operated, and we feed our families the same food we grow for yours. We’d like to show how you we grow nutritious, quality food for all our families, and what it takes to protect our land and our animals.  We’d also like to offer you the chance to get your food questions answered by the farmers who grow it.”

To ask Illinois Farm Families a question, get more information or apply to be a Field Mom, visit www.watchusgrow.org.