Nebraska farm women to address food concerns at HyVee in Lincoln

A group of Nebraska farmers is making it easy for urban shoppers to learn about farming and food production.

In a uniquely mom-driven program, Nebraska farm women are joining together to talk to other women about food production, food safety, farm life and their common ground.

Dawn Caldwell

A special kickoff event for this program, known as CommonGround, is Saturday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Northern Lights HyVee on 84th and Holdrege in Lincoln.

“Most Americans are three generations removed from the farm and their only connection to food production is at the grocery store,” Shana Beattie, a farmer from Sumner, Nebraska and CommonGround spokeswoman, said in a news release. “That’s true even in Nebraska, with more people growing up in urban and suburban areas, miles from farm life. Naturally that leads to misconceptions about farming, farm life and the food we eat. We want to set the record straight about farming and food.”

Kristen Eggerling

This is where the CommonGround program comes in.

The Nebraska Corn Board, Nebraska Soybean Board, National Corn Growers Association, and United Soybean Board joined together to spearhead this grassroots campaign to showcase the common values and expectations between farmers that grow the food and consumers who purchase products at the grocery store.

“Food safety is my top priority as a farmer. We want shoppers to know that our families eat the same foods and drink the same water they do,” says Dawn Caldwell, a farmer from Edgar, Nebraska and CommonGround spokeswoman.

Shana Beattie

To meet Beattie and Caldwell, as well as spokeswoman and Martell rancher Kristen Eggerling, visit the Northern Lights HyVee on Saturday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Grocery gift cards and cookbooks will be given away to shoppers throughout the day.