For decades, the football program at the University of Iowa has filled its ranks with young men who grew up in the "Hawkeye State" and included among that roster were plenty of talented, driven young men who grew up on an Iowa farm or in a farming community. Their commitment to detail, acceptance of responsibility, sharp mind and solid work ethic was honed on farms of all sizes and all corners of the state.

These hard-working young men remember the pride they felt when their farm heritage was shown to the world through the America Needs Farmers emblem. It's a feeling they carry with them today, long after they "swarmed" the playing field at historic Kinnick Stadium for the final time.

Their stories of what it takes to be Farm Strong are told here.

Jared DeVries grew up on a family farm near Aplington, Iowa, helping his father grow crops and learning values like hard work, dedication and determination. He took his farm-learned work ethic on to the University of Iowa, where he developed into an all All-Big Ten defensive tackle (1995-1998) and second-team All American. DeVries talks about ANF, what it means to him, our state and our country.

Click HERE to watch a video of Jared.

Casey Wiegmann grew up in Parkersburg, Iowa and although he never farmed, his father has worked for John Deere for the past 35 years, so farming and agriculture have always been a part of his life. As a kid he helped local farmers by detassling. Wiegmann played at the University of Iowa from 1991-1995 and earned second team All-Big Ten honors as an offensive linemen. Wiegmann shares his thoughts on ANF, why it's important, and what it meant for him to wear the decal while playing for Hayden Fry.

Click HERE to watch a video of Casey.

Matt Kroul, a farm kid from Mt. Vernon, spent his childhood helping out on the family farm. The Kroul farm has been in the family for over 160 years. Matt played for the Hawkeyes from 2004-2008, earning second team All-Big Ten honors as a defensive linemen. He also earned Academic All-Big Ten honors as a Hawkeye. Matt talks about his farm, playing for the Hawkeyes and the pride he felt when Coach Kirk Ferentz brought ANF back to the Hawkeye program.

Click HERE to watch a video of Matt.

Mike Haight and Hap Peterson were Co-Captains of the one of the greatest Hawkeye football teams of all time: the 1985 Hawkeyes, a team that went 10-1, won the Big Ten championship, spent five weeks ranked No. 1 in the nation and went to the 1986 Rose Bowl. THaight, a former All-Big Ten offensive lineman, and Peterson, a former All Big-Ten defensive lineman, talk about Hayden Fry's idea of putting ANF on their helmets during the '85 season to show support for our country's farm families who were struggling through a major farm crisis.

Click HERE to watch a video of Mike and Hap.

Mike Haight and Hap Peterson were Co-Captains of the one of the greatest Hawkeye football teams of all time: the 1985 Hawkeyes, a team that went 10-1, won the Big Ten championship, spent five weeks ranked No. 1 in the nation and went to the 1986 Rose Bowl. THaight, a former All-Big Ten offensive lineman, and Peterson, a former All Big-Ten defensive lineman, talk about Hayden Fry's idea of putting ANF on their helmets during the '85 season to show support for our country's farm families who were struggling through a major farm crisis.

Click HERE to watch a video of Mike and Hap.