West Des Moines, Iowa – November 24, 2021– The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation and the Iowa Turkey Federation are happy to announce the winners of the 2020 Gobble Up! Turkey Marketing Competition.

The contest was open to Iowa students in grades 3-12. Students created marketing plans, including advertisements, cost analyses, and nutrition information, for specific turkey-centric products. The cross-curricular contest helps teachers meet educational standards while students learn about turkey production and nutrition.

The winners are as follows:

Elementary Division:

  • 1st place: Des Moines Christian School taught by Rhonda Osborn. The student team of Samantha, Lexi, Tessa, Brady, and John submitted a poster titled Fall Turkey.
  • 2nd place: Des Moines Christian School taught by Rhonda Osborn. The student team of Lydia D., Katelyn, Elloise, Bowen, and Haddy submitted a poster titled Pava Pavo.
  • 3rd place: Des Moines Christian School taught by Rhonda Osborn. The student team of Hudson, Sawyer, Noah, Morgan, and Gabe submitted a poster titled Turkey Patch.

Middle School Division:

  • 1st place: Waverly-Shell Rock taught by Kristie Kuhse. The student team of Natalie Beck, Emma Anhalt, Hayden Wardlow, and Charlie Hoodjer submitted a project titled The Turkey Table.
  • 2nd place: Waverly-Shell Rock taught by Kristie Kuhse. The student team of Dana Westendorf, Caleb Shipper, Hadley Spooner, and Gabe SmolikHagen submitted a project titled Turkey and Touchdowns Turkey Noodle Soup.
  • 3rd place: Waverly-Shell Rock taught by Kristie Kuhse. The student team of Addie Ott, Anaka Ott, and Cat Wedeking submitted a project titled The Ultimate Grilled Turkey Sandwich.

High School Division:

  • 1st place: English Valleys taught by Kristin Fisch. The student team of Emma Pierce, Cael Mihal, Luke Dillon, Keegan Walker, Owen Axmear, Libby Armstrong, Jon Downing, Kennedy Axmear, Gabby Kustes, Machayla Bearbower, and Bryce Riegel submitted a project titled The Poppin’ Turkey Burger.
  • 2nd place: Lynnville-Sully taught by Jenny Petersen. The student team of Lane Fisk, Kaleb Fopma, Brayden Hardeman, Jager Huyser, Sydney Jansen, Jaden Norman, Owen Norrish, Makenna Schnell, Gentry Walston, Matthew Winters, Ty Jones, and Abigail Squires submitted a project titled The Turkey Twister.
  • 3rd place: Dubuque taught by Jennifer Gravel. The student team of Tyler Brown, Alexia Gazo Farrero, Jacob Grall, Isaiah Halfhill, Thomas Hansen, Owen Hull, Davonta Jackson, Angel Kelly, Braiden Kramer, Mason Kunkel, Sophia Loso, Amiya McGhee, and Olivia Smith submitted a project titled Turkey Pot Pie.

“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.”

Contest submissions were due November 1, 2021. Submissions were 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 lunch brought to their school sponsored by the Iowa Turkey Federation. The program is funded in part by the Iowa Turkey Marketing Council.