Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig presented the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to Ernie and Paula Barnes during a ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at the 2026 Iowa State Fair. The award recognized the Barnes family for their commitment to livestock care, service to Iowa agriculture and decades of leadership supporting the pork industry and the Iowa State Fair.

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Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today presented the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to the Longinaker family of Fremont County as part of Iowa Corn Day at the 2026 Iowa State Fair. The award recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in caring for the environment, their livestock and being good neighbors in their communities.

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Secretary Naig Announces Major Expansion of Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program to the Greater Des Moines Watershed

Secretary Naig joined Bryan Whaley, CEO of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, and cattle producers from Calhoun, Pocahontas and Webster counties at the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters at the Iowa State Fair to announce the expansion of the popular Cattle and Conservation Working Lands program into the 22 counties located within the Greater Des Moines watershed.

The cost-share program supports cattle and other livestock producers in converting under-performing or highly erodible acres of row crops into pasture and hay ground. This provides land and forage to support the growth of the U.S. beef herd, while reducing soil erosion and improving water quality.

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Hannah Hagen Crowned 73rd Iowa Dairy Princess

Hannah Hagen, an 18-year-old from Waterville, was crowned the 73rd Iowa Dairy Princess during an evening ceremony at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines on Wednesday, August 12. Hannah, daughter of Erik and Lisa Hagen, will spend the year serving as a goodwill ambassador for Iowa’s dairy farmers. Throughout her year-long reign, she will make public appearances to connect with consumers and help them understand the dedication of dairy farm families to their cows, their land and the milk they produce.

Hannah represented Allamakee County in the contest. She will be a freshman at Iowa State University this fall where she will study animal science.

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