Farmer Trading Cards Catching On Fast

An idea that got its start in Rhode Island and then quickly spread to Missouri and other states has brought a bit of fame and glory to the lives of the crop and livestock farmers featured on the new "Farmer Trading Cards".

"Our fantasy would be to get kids to trade farmer cards the way they trade baseball cards," says Kimberly Clark, who came up with the trading card concept.

Like many other states, Rhode Island has a Farm-to-School program, where farmers bring produce to schools and make presentations. Growers also contract with school lunch management companies. But Clark wanted students to have something tangible, and she recognized how popular all kinds of trading cards are with children. She developed cards with a photo on front and detailed farm information on the back.

"We started the cards a couple years ago and give them to schools to hand out," Clark explains.

They're given to children from grade two and up. Clark has been surprised by the response from older students and adults. So far, there are 20 trading cards. They continue to add new ones as more farmers become involved with the school nutrition program.

A coalition of Missouri farm groups printed 6 trading cards featuring hog, corn, and dairy producers. Volunteers handed out the cards during 6 St. Louis Cardinals baseball games last year.

Other local Farm Bureaus and county extension offices have contacted Clark for information about starting trading card projects.

"We're happy to provide the template to anyone else if they would like it," says Clark, adding that they also offer the cards on their website so anyone can print them out.

For anyone considering making trading cards, Clark offers one piece of advice. "The kids love the ones with animals on them. Now as we create the cards, we ask producers to pose with pets or livestock," Clark says.