By ANN HINCH
Assistant Editor

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — As a kid in Iowa, Dallas Clark was around farms, but didn’t actually do any of that work himself; his family rented out their land to growers.

“I grew up in a small town, and I grew up in a farming community, but I didn’t farm,” the Indianapolis Colts’ #44 tight end told the crowd at a pro-ethanol event in the state’s capital last week. Still a resident of Iowa, he said this is the first year he is actually farming, and enjoys the labor of it.

“It’s the work you put into it and then seeing the outcome,” he explained of his interest in farming, as well as his involvement with the Hoosier Horsepower Program this past season – a collaboration between the Colts and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance.

Clark was on hand to help present a check for $1,500 to Edgewood High School junior Shanea Hardwick for creating the winning short video in a contest to promote Indiana biofuel. Hardwick, the daughter of Tom and Michele Hardwick of Stinesville, made a video using stop-motion technique with Play-Doh figures and props, illustrating how buying biofuel keeps American money from going overseas.

Clark is spokesperson for Hoosier Horsepower, intended to educate Indiana students about the importance of biofuel to the state’s economy. Money was donated to a scholarship/grant fund for each reception by Clark this past football season; he was named All Pro and set a Colts record by catching 100 passes.

“We don’t catch 100 balls a season, so let’s understand that’s not the average, here,” Clark said to a roomful of laughter, indicating he’d like to do the program again but warning fans not to get their hopes too high. “We peaked early.”

Other program winners not at the event were Allison Ketchan, Rachel Mathes, Tagin Schultheis and Becca Whitten of St. Joseph Middle School in Mishawaka, who collaborated on the winning radio submission. Too, teachers Kari Roberts of Union County High School and Nick Kaiser of St. Joseph Grade/Middle School were named Hoosier Horsepower Agricultural Teachers of the Year.

Students will have another chance to win prizes through the program once school resumes this fall. Teachers and students may go to www.colts.com/hoosierhorsepower to learn more, or call Cathy Arthur at 800-735-0195.