Indianapolis Colts team up with farmers to promote biofuels
August 10, 2009
BY Erin Krueger
Report posted Aug. 25, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. CST
The Indiana Corn Marketing Council, the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indianapolis Colts are teaming up to promote biofuels. The new partnership, called Hoosier Horsepower, aims to educate Indiana consumers about the many benefits of using ethanol and biodiesel.
"The Colts' partnership with Indiana's soybean and corn farmers is extremely exciting and important," said Tom Zupancic, Colts senior vice president of sales and marketing. "It's exciting because the program allows us to connect with fans of all ages throughout the state. It's important because farming is the backbone of our state's economy."
Colts tight end Dallas Clark will serve as the official spokesperson of the Hoosier Horsepower program. "I have always been around farming since I grew up in Iowa and have played for the Colts here in Indiana," said Clark. "I think the Hoosier Horsepower program is a great way to talk to students and adults about the technological advances in farming and the benefits of biofuels."
The Hoosier Horsepower program centers around an educational component that is a multidimensional effort designed to connect with and educate students of all ages. The program will work with both the Indiana State Department of Education, as well as the Indiana FFA organization, to engage, excite and educate both students and their teachers.
According to Indiana Corn Marketing Council Communications Director Megan Kuhn, three distinct educational curriculums will be developed; one for elementary school students, one for middle school students and another for high school students.
The elementary program will seek to raise awareness of biofuels and will center on coloring and poster contests. Kuhn said students participating in the program will have a chance to win a visit from the Colts' mascot Blue. Students participating in the middle school program will write radio scripts describing the benefits of biofuels and how they benefit the Indiana economy. The high school program will feature a video contest, the winners of which will be featured on the Colts jumbotron before a game. Winners of the high school video contest will also be eligible to receive scholarship awards. As part of the program, for each catch Clark makes during the season the Colts will donate $100 on behalf of Indiana corn and soybean farmers to the scholarship fund.
The program will also recognize teachers for their outstanding work in the classroom by granting Hoosier Horsepower Teacher Awards. More details about the educational components of the program will be available to teachers and students on Sept. 1 at www.colts.com/HoosierHorsepower
In addition to these educational components to the program, Kuhn said that the Hoosier Horsepower program will have a radio presence on the game day broadcasts. A biofuels mobile learning center will also be featured at pregame festivities.
"In the end, we want Hoosiers to know that Indiana corn and soybean farmers are suppliers to a biofuels industry that is helping our country's bid for energy independence; producing fuels that are good for our environment and supporting our state's economy," said Mike Shuter, president of the Indiana Corn Marketing Council. "And we are doing this while producing enough corn and soybeans to meet all the demands for feed, food, fiber and fuel."
The Indiana Corn Marketing Council, the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indianapolis Colts are teaming up to promote biofuels. The new partnership, called Hoosier Horsepower, aims to educate Indiana consumers about the many benefits of using ethanol and biodiesel.
"The Colts' partnership with Indiana's soybean and corn farmers is extremely exciting and important," said Tom Zupancic, Colts senior vice president of sales and marketing. "It's exciting because the program allows us to connect with fans of all ages throughout the state. It's important because farming is the backbone of our state's economy."
Colts tight end Dallas Clark will serve as the official spokesperson of the Hoosier Horsepower program. "I have always been around farming since I grew up in Iowa and have played for the Colts here in Indiana," said Clark. "I think the Hoosier Horsepower program is a great way to talk to students and adults about the technological advances in farming and the benefits of biofuels."
The Hoosier Horsepower program centers around an educational component that is a multidimensional effort designed to connect with and educate students of all ages. The program will work with both the Indiana State Department of Education, as well as the Indiana FFA organization, to engage, excite and educate both students and their teachers.
According to Indiana Corn Marketing Council Communications Director Megan Kuhn, three distinct educational curriculums will be developed; one for elementary school students, one for middle school students and another for high school students.
The elementary program will seek to raise awareness of biofuels and will center on coloring and poster contests. Kuhn said students participating in the program will have a chance to win a visit from the Colts' mascot Blue. Students participating in the middle school program will write radio scripts describing the benefits of biofuels and how they benefit the Indiana economy. The high school program will feature a video contest, the winners of which will be featured on the Colts jumbotron before a game. Winners of the high school video contest will also be eligible to receive scholarship awards. As part of the program, for each catch Clark makes during the season the Colts will donate $100 on behalf of Indiana corn and soybean farmers to the scholarship fund.
The program will also recognize teachers for their outstanding work in the classroom by granting Hoosier Horsepower Teacher Awards. More details about the educational components of the program will be available to teachers and students on Sept. 1 at www.colts.com/HoosierHorsepower
In addition to these educational components to the program, Kuhn said that the Hoosier Horsepower program will have a radio presence on the game day broadcasts. A biofuels mobile learning center will also be featured at pregame festivities.
"In the end, we want Hoosiers to know that Indiana corn and soybean farmers are suppliers to a biofuels industry that is helping our country's bid for energy independence; producing fuels that are good for our environment and supporting our state's economy," said Mike Shuter, president of the Indiana Corn Marketing Council. "And we are doing this while producing enough corn and soybeans to meet all the demands for feed, food, fiber and fuel."
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