The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) selected Katie Pratt of Dixon as one of just four winners nationwide to represent the Faces of Farming & Ranching program. Chosen from a pool of more than 100 farmer applicants from across the country, Pratt has been sharing her stories and experiences on a national stage.
So far, she has appeared on national television with Danny Boome of Food Network’s “Rescue Chef” to help decode food terms.
“I am excited to help consumers demystify some of today’s confusing food terms,” Pratt says. “I hope to show viewers that knowing more about how your food is grown and raised – whether it’s organic, local, conventionally raised, etc. – can help you better understand how to make healthy choices based on your own preferences.”
Pratt and her husband, Andy, grow corn and soybeans on a seventh-generation farm. (Related: Grain Storage Gains Momentum)
The Pratts welcome tour groups to their farm, and Katie serves as the Lee County Agriculture in the Classroom coordinator. She has also volunteered as a host and blogger spokeswoman for Illinois Farm Families and participated in USFRA Food Dialogues panel discussions designed to answer Americans’ questions about food and farming. The next food dialogue will take place June 19 at Kendall College in Chicago and will focus on information consumers look for when purchasing food.
For more about the program, visit fooddialogues.com/faces-of-farming-and-ranching.
