The Missouri Pork Association has partnered with seven other state agricultural organizations to launch a summer education campaign with the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.

“Stepping Up to the Plate” aims to increase consumer understanding of how today’s farmers are using the latest technology to provide safe, affordable, nutritious food.

St. Louis Cardinals left-fielder Matt Holliday is teaming up with Missouri pork, corn, soybean, beef, poultry and dairy producers to spotlight the great strides farmers are making in meeting the growing nutritional needs of consumers while improving the environment.

Holliday, a native of Oklahoma, is working with Missouri farmers on an advertising campaign featuring radio ads, grocery store promotions and print advertising.

“We are excited to partner with the Cardinals,” says Rick Rehmeier, featured hog farmer from Augusta. “This is a great way to let consumers know that Missouri’s pork producers care deeply about producing high-quality products, taking care of our animals and natural resources and contributing to our communities.”

Other farmers participating include Donna Telle, a dairy farmer from Uniontown, MO; John Ridder, a beef farmer from Marthasville, MO; Archie “Rusty” Mulford, a poultry producer from Aurora, MO; Kevin Hurst, a corn grower from Tarkio, MO; and Warren Stemme, a soybean farmer from Chesterfield, MO.

Besides learning more about the six family farmers featured in the St. Louis Cardinals campaign, Missouri residents can also sign up online to win the “Ultimate At-Home Tailgate party,” where one winner will receive a new gas grill, flat screen television and Missouri-grown products. The registration form is available at www.farmersfeedus.org. While visiting the Web site, consumers can watch a video tour of five additional Missouri farmers who are working hard to produce today’s food, fuel and fiber.

The educational campaign, a follow-up to the Missouri “Farmers Feed US” initiative announced in January, is expected to run from May through September.