County fairs are underway across Iowa, bringing communities together to celebrate agriculture while giving thousands of young people an opportunity to showcase months of hard work and preparation. While livestock shows and exhibits often draw the most attention, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says the greatest value of county fairs can be found in the lessons they teach.
Naig said county fairs provide young people with opportunities to develop responsibility, perseverance, and confidence through projects that require months of planning and dedication. Whether caring for livestock, preparing static exhibits, or competing in speaking and judging contests, participants gain experiences that often shape them well beyond their years in 4-H and FFA.
Those experiences are made possible through the support of families, volunteers, extension staff, fair boards, and countless community members who invest their time in making county fairs successful year after year.
The Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network has already begun recognizing many of those dedicated individuals through the 2026 Heart of the County Fair Awards. Additional recipients will be honored at county fairs across the state throughout the summer, and visitors to the Iowa State Fair will have an opportunity to learn more about each of this year’s honorees and the contributions they have made to their local fair communities.
Naig said while ribbons and trophies may recognize a successful fair season, the relationships, work ethic, and life lessons developed along the way are what make Iowa’s county fairs a tradition worth preserving for future generations.
