[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 146 (Friday, August 13, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E898]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING BRIGHAM HOEGH AND ERIN LAIN AS IOWANS OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 13, 2021

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing Brigham Hoegh and Erin Lain, 
founders of Corn 4 a Cause, as our Iowans of the Week.
  If you are from Iowa, have heard about Iowa, or have traveled through 
Iowa, you know that corn is not just part of our beautiful scenery, 
it's also part of our heritage and culture. This cherished crop 
symbolizes and fosters work, livelihoods, and communities across our 
great state. Even though Iowa has a rich agricultural industry 
producing bountiful crops like corn, many families here still struggle 
with access to fresh produce to put on their dinner tables. That's why 
Brigham and Erin have come in to help.
  Brigham Hoegh and Erin Lain founded Corn 4 a Cause roughly four years 
ago after Brigham had a surplus of sweetcorn. She teamed up with Erin 
to start their nonprofit organization that aims to address the issue of 
fresh produce access in communities around Iowa.
  Brigham's family farm is in Cass County, Iowa, just north of 
Atlantic. Each year since Brigham and Erin started Corn 4 a Cause, they 
have planted, grown, and harvested sweetcorn to sell and donate across 
western Iowa. What's amazing about their work is that for every dozen 
ears of com purchased, another dozen ears are donated to different food 
pantries and other nonprofits aiming to provide fresh produce to those 
without consistent access to it. This arrangement allows for those who 
are purchasing the com to gain valuable, eye-opening insight into food 
insecurity in their own communities. Not only do people get a sense of 
how prevalent the issue is, but they're also able to help immediately 
by purchasing a dozen ears of corn that will be matched by Corn 4 a 
Cause's donation to local families.
  One acre of sweetcorn yields roughly 15,000 ears of corn. Brigham and 
Erin have planted two acres of sweetcorn this year, which provides 
roughly 30,000 ears of corn to be sold and donated.
  Corn 4 a Cause started out serving communities and pantries primarily 
in western Iowa. However, Brigham and Erin quickly found more demand 
for their yields in other areas of the state and were harvesting so 
much sweetcorn that they needed to start getting more pantries and 
nonprofits involved. With more corn to go around, they have started 
expanding their donations to central Iowa.
  Brigham and Erin focused on delivering fresh produce to those who 
need it. They are passionate about making fresh, Iowa-grown food 
accessible to more families in a socially conscious way. They state 
their values as: ``Full bellies. Summer fun. Local food. Equity 
first.'' Corn 4 a Cause partners with organizations that serve 
communities of color to cultivate a more equitable food system, and a 
more equitable society. Brigham and Erin also encourage anyone who 
loves to plant their own produce to plant some extra so it can be 
donated to food pantries and other nonprofits fighting to eliminate 
food insecurity in Iowa and America.
  Reliable and equitable access to food, let alone fresh, healthy 
produce, is a major issue across our country and in our own backyard. 
Organizations like Corn 4 a Cause and individuals like Brigham and Erin 
are tackling these problems head-on at the ground level to make a 
difference for their neighbors. Because of their dedication and hard 
work, it is my honor to name Brigham Hoegh and Erin Lain of Corn 4 a 
Cause as our Iowans of the Week.

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