Summer in Iowa means more than just sunshine and warm weather — it’s a season packed with hometown festivals, bustling county fairs, and backyard barbecues. From Main Street parades to pork chops on the grill, these events celebrate the best of Iowa communities and Iowa agriculture. Whether you’re sipping on local craft brews or savoring a sweet corn roast, summertime traditions offer the perfect opportunity to support and showcase Iowa-grown products. This season, make sure what’s on your plate reflects what’s grown in your state.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says he looks forward to summer as a chance to visit as many county fairs as his schedule allows. He says it brings back memories of his own time, showing livestock and enjoying fair traditions as a kid. For him, it’s not just about the events — it’s about connecting with people who make Iowa agriculture what it is.
Naig says there’s been a strong push to connect more consumers directly with Iowa farms through programs like Choose Iowa and IDALS-led initiatives. One recent example was the summertime Farm Store Crawl, which highlighted on-farm shopping experiences across the state. Naig says the event was a rousing success, helping showcase the diversity and quality of Iowa-made products.
Naig says events like the Farm Store Crawl — or any of the state’s many vibrant farmers markets — are perfect ways to connect consumers with the people and products behind Iowa agriculture. He says it’s a direct line from the farm to the table, and a great reminder of just how much Iowa producers have to offer.
As we celebrate the Fourth of July, there’s still plenty of summer left to enjoy Iowa’s fairs, festivals, and fresh local flavors. From county fairgrounds to farm stands, there are countless ways to support Iowa producers and experience the best our state has to offer. So get out, explore, and take pride in what makes Iowa truly special.
