“Friends of America’s Heartland� premieres new website, encourages donations from growers, non-farmers, ag organizations and businesses
Farmers and ranchers from across the nation are joining with a broad consortium of agricultural organizations including the U.S. Grains Council, businesses and regular viewers to launch a new grassroots campaign to support America’s Heartland, the only nationally-distributed television program on U.S. agriculture, as it seeks production funding for its seventh season.
“Friends of America’s Heartland� has launched a new website asking the grassroots fans of the award-winning series to support it by making donations and encouraging others to do so. The site at www.friendsofamericasheartland.org is already receiving individual donations from fans of the series.
The grassroots effort is drawing praise from many major U.S. commodity groups, who are already promotional partners for America’s Heartland. “We truly believe there’s no other program on television that does a better job sharing the positive stories of American agriculture with non-farm viewers,� said Bart Schott, president of the National Corn Growers Association.
Terry Vinduska, chairman of the U.S. Grains Council, added, “As longtime supporters of America’s Heartland, we’re delighted there’s a new campaign underway to keep this essential program on the air.�
Lead spokespeople for the grassroots campaign include Chris Chinn, a Missouri hog farm owner and outspoken agriculture advocate.
“This show has brought the American farm and ranch into the homes of millions who otherwise would not see how we operate our farms & ranches on a daily basis,� said Chinn. “America’s Heartland puts a face and a voice to agriculture, and it’s the accurate image of how U.S. farmers & ranchers are protecting our nation’s food security while meeting the ever growing demand of our world population.�
The “Friends� campaign will supplement the generous support already promised for season seven by the American Farm Bureau Foundation, Farm Credit Services and the United Soybean Board. Additional major funding support is still being sought. The program has an expanded website at www.americasheartland.org, and viewers can connect with the show on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. America’s Heartland is produced by KVIE Public Television in Sacramento.
About America’s Heartland
Launched in 2005, the award-winning America’s Heartland travels throughout the United States, introducing non-farm viewers to the men and women who provide the food, fuel and fiber we use and consume daily. Frequently-appearing segments are targeted specifically to consumers: “Off the Shelf� looks at food choices we make at the supermarket; “Fast Facts About Food� reveals the nutritional benefits in many agricultural products; and “Harvesting Knowledge� explores the rich history of foods we enjoy every day.
America’s Heartland also examines how technology is changing production and how sustainability and environmental issues are becoming increasingly important to producers and consumers. Currently, the series is seen on more than 230 PBS stations covering 62 percent of the United States. America’s Heartland also reaches viewers with primetime broadcasts on RFD-TV, the cable and satellite channel celebrating the rural lifestyle. Overall, the series reaches more than 40 million viewers each season.