Salt Lake City—In commemoration of its 100th anniversary, Intermountain Farmer’s Association (IFA) dedicated the milestone year to a noteworthy program of community service. Each IFA branch aimed to volunteer for 100 hours throughout 2023, contributing more than 3,500 hours to various community service projects throughout the Intermountain West.

The service endeavors varied widely, ranging from volunteering at the local county fair to repairing a flood-stricken backyard to tying blankets for kids in need.

“One of our core values is to be a visible and desired member of the community,” said Adam Fox, IFA Creative Director. “This ‘100 Hours of Service’ initiative was instrumental in helping our employees embody that value and give back to Intermountain West communities that have supported us over the past 100 years.”

These hours represent far more than statistics; they tell stories of lives touched and communities strengthened. Here are just a few examples of the diverse ways IFA employees served their neighbors:

• Restoring a single mother’s backyard: In Southern Utah, the IFA Country Store in Cedar City and the Southern Utah Agronomy Center collaborated for more than 200 hours to renovate the backyard of a single mother of three, Heather. Severe flooding had ruined the yard, but the team worked together to plant grass seed, lay gravel, and more. “Outside of her two jobs, Heather is a Pastor who volunteers her time by visiting with the elderly on hospice. She has always given back to others, so it was great to give back to her in this way,” said Sam Mortensen, branch manager of the Cedar City IFA Store.

• Providing warmth and comfort to vulnerable children: The IFA corporate office staff tied and donated over 100 fleece blankets to the Utah Children’s Justice Center and Salt Lake City Police Department. “Serving the community is essential not only for our IFA brand, but for each of us as individuals,” said Mikyla Bagley, coordinator of the project. “These blankets will provide not only warmth but a gift of love and support to those in need.”

• Funding a widow’s medical bills: Tremonton IFA partnered with professional bull rider Tyler Bingham to host a fundraising event, “Bucking Bulls for a Good Cause” for a widowed mother of six in their community who had suffered a stroke. The event, which included four professional bull riders and three mini bull riders, raised money to help cover this family’s medical expenses.

• Helping rural communities thrive: A group of women from IFA’s South Region Feed Mill chose to volunteer their time at the Juab County Fair, contributing to areas like the Stock Show and the Fine Arts Department. “We believe involvement in the community is essential to a well-rounded life and sense of belonging,” said Chelsie Bartlett, “In rural communities like ours, the Fair wouldn’t happen without volunteers.”

These efforts are just a glimpse into the many volunteer experiences of IFA employees across the Intermountain West.

As an entire company, IFA also wanted to give back: it contributed $267,000 to local organizations, community events, and youth livestock shows.

“Junior and local livestock shows play an integral role in providing hands-on educational experiences and opportunities for youth within agriculture,” said Tyler Stinson, IFA Associate V.P., Farm Supply Marketing, “Recognizing the impacts of local livestock shows on young producers, IFA is proud to contribute to both the youth and our local communities through generous sponsorships and contributions at these events.”

As IFA enters its next century, the spirit of service in 2023 reflects the company’s ongoing dedication to fostering positive change in the communities it serves.

About IFA

Intermountain Farmers Association (IFA) has been helping to grow the things you love for more than 100 years. The company’s roots date back to Gunnison, UT, in 1923 when farmers organized a marketing cooperative to distribute surplus eggs in the region. Years of growth followed; the company’s name was formally changed from Utah Poultry & Farmers Cooperative to Intermountain Farmers Association in 1961. Today, IFA is a locally-owned farm and ranch cooperative that proudly supports all those who live and love the rural lifestyle. We provide expertise and experience to deliver the tools and services that people need in farm supply, agronomy and feed. For more information, visit ifa.coop