America Needs Farmers

In 1985, the U.S. was gripped by a Farm Crisis that bankrupted thousands of family farms. Hayden Fry, the University of Iowa's head football coach at that time, knew that the crisis touched many of his team’s players and fans. Never one to accept defeat, Fry quietly went to work on a game plan to raise awareness of farmers who were struggling. On November 2, 1985, the Iowa Hawkeyes faced off against Ohio State in a nationally televised matchup, sporting a new addition to their helmets: a simple yellow circle, with the letters “A-N-F”. It stood for “America Needs Farmers.” Thirty-one years later, ANF remains a testament to the families that proudly give their all to provide the nation’s diverse food supply. A lot has changed since 1985, but America (Still) Needs Farmers! Share your support for America’s farmers on November 2, 2016 (the 31st anniversary of ANF) by adding the "ANF" logo to your profile photo!