West Des Moines, Iowa – September 8, 2020– The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation has opened registrations for a cross-curricular program for elementary, middle, and high school students. The experiential learning contest allows students to creatively develop a marketing strategy for a turkey product of their choice, while learning about the multitude of agricultural careers and skills it takes to develop and sell a product.

Students in grades 3 through 12 are eligible to participate. Students will learn about the turkey production industry and turkey nutrition as a result of participation.

Elementary students who participate in the contest will select a turkey product and then work together in teams of three or more, or as a classroom, to submit a poster that advertises the product and showcases the health benefits associated with eating turkey. Middle school and high school students who participate will work together to submit a marketing plan of their selected turkey-focused product. Their marketing plans included an introduction, product details, marketing tactics, a market analysis, and nutrition information. The program is funded in part by the Iowa Turkey Marketing Council.

“Iowa is an important turkey producing state,” said Morgan Minnehan of the Iowa Turkey Federation. “This contest helps students understand about the industry and how turkey can be a nutritious part of a balanced diet.”

Registration is due October 25. Contest submissions are due November 1. Submissions will be judged by a panel of industry experts, turkey producers, and educators.  Prizes include up to $200, a personalized virtual tour (FarmChat®) of a turkey farm, and first place classrooms will have a turkey brought to their school and supported by the Iowa Turkey Federation.

For the full rules, resources, and registration for this contest, please visit https://www.iowaagliteracy.org/tools-resources/general/for-students.