The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will host three award ceremonies this week celebrating and commemorating Iowa agriculture as part of the 2025 Iowa State Fair. Each of the three ceremonies is open to the media, and the public is invited to attend.
The details are as follows:
Choose Iowa Coloring Calendar Recognition Ceremony
When: Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Agriculture Building, Iowa State Fair
Notes: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will recognize 16 K-12 students from around the state whose artwork was selected for the 2025-2026 Choose Iowa Coloring Calendar. Choose Iowa is the state’s signature brand for Iowa grown, Iowa made, and Iowa raised food, beverages and ag products. A full press release listing the featured artists will be sent on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Free Choose Iowa Coloring Calendars will be available for fairgoers at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s booths in the Agriculture Building and Varied Industries Building while supplies last. Photos of the students in attendance with Secretary Naig will be available within one month of the conclusion of the fair on the Department’s Flickr page.
Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards Ceremony
When: Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Oman Family Youth Inn, Iowa State Fair
Notes: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Iowa Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon will recognize 40 Iowa farm families with the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award (IFELA). The award recognizes the exemplary voluntary efforts of Iowa’s farmers committed to healthy soil and improved water quality while also serving as leaders within their ag community. A full press release listing the families will be sent on Wednesday, Aug. 13. Photos of the families in attendance with the dignitaries will be available within one month of the conclusion of the fair on the Department’s Flickr page.
Iowa Century and Heritage Farm Recognition Ceremony
When: Thursday, Aug. 14 at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Historic Livestock Pavilion, Iowa State Fair
Notes: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Brent Johnson will recognize 449 Century Farm (100 years) or Heritage Farm (150 years) owners. The Century Farm recognition will begin at 9:00 a.m. and proceed in alphabetical order by county. The Heritage Farm recognition will begin after the Century Farm recognition ceremony concludes and proceed in alphabetical order by county. A press release will be sent on Thursday, Aug. 14. Families receiving Century and Heritage Farm recognition will be added to the searchable database on the Department’s website. Photos of the families in attendance with Secretary Naig and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Johnson will be available within one month of the conclusion of the fair on the Department’s Flickr page.
