An ag group’s spokesman urges Iowans to pause during the busy holiday seasonto give thanks for the many benefits we enjoy in the Hawkeye State. AaronPutze, spokesman for the Iowa Farm Bureau, says Iowans can be proud theyhave the opportunity to be world leaders in food production. Putze justreturned to Iowa from a road trip through several Western states and otherMidwestern states.According to state agricultural statistics, Iowa’s 93-thousand-500 farmsaverage about 350 acres in size. Nearly 33-million of the state’s 36-millionsurface acres are used for food production. Iowa farmers helped the state torank first in corn, soybeans, hog and egg production. Iowa also ranked amongthe top12 states for lamb, beef and milk production. While the hard work ofthousands of Iowa farm families has made the state an agricultural leader,Putze says some factors were beyond human control, like the hot, dry weatherthat hit parts of southwestern Iowa. Nearly 23-percent of Iowans, or445-thousand-823 people, work at ag-related jobs.