Secretary Naig Honors 17 Students Selected for the Special-Edition Choose Iowa Coloring Calendar at the 2026 Iowa State Fair

Secretary Naig Honors 17 Students Selected for the Special-Edition Choose Iowa Coloring Calendar at the 2026 Iowa State Fair

Special-edition calendar celebrates Iowa agriculture and America's 250th anniversary through the creativity of Iowa students

DES MOINES, Iowa (Aug. 18, 2026) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today recognized 17 Iowa students whose artwork was selected for the special-edition 2026-2027 Choose Iowa Coloring Calendar during a ceremony in the Agriculture Building at the 2026 Iowa State Fair.

As part of Iowa's America250 celebration, students were invited to submit artwork combining Iowa agriculture with patriotic themes and symbols of American pride. The annual contest encourages young Iowans to creatively showcase the food, beverages, livestock, crops and other agricultural products that are grown, made or raised in Iowa.

"These talented young artists have done a wonderful job capturing what makes Iowa agriculture special while also celebrating the pride we share in our state and country," said Secretary Naig. "Choose Iowa is all about connecting Iowans with the fresh, healthy food and agricultural products grown, made and raised in our state by our farmers. As America marks its 250th anniversary, this special-edition calendar is a fitting way to celebrate Iowa agriculture, the farm families and communities behind it, and the next generation who will carry that proud tradition forward."

Choose Iowa is the state's signature brand for Iowa grown, Iowa made and Iowa raised food, beverages and agricultural products. Launched by Secretary Naig and administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Choose Iowa has grown to include nearly 360 members statewide. The program connects consumers with Iowa products while creating new markets and opportunities for Iowa farmers and businesses.

The special-edition 2026-2027 Choose Iowa Coloring Calendar artists include:

Cover
Rose Greenlees, age 16, Adel

September
Wells Wibholm, age 7, Blairsburg

October
Evelyn Douglas, age 16, Keystone

November
Hudson Eggers, age 9, State Center

December
Kennah Determan, age 10, State Center

January
Preslee DeRossett, age 10, Melbourne

February
Renee Franks, age 13, Atkins

March
Hathaway Samson, age 7, Baxter

April
Presley Jacobsen, age 6, State Center

May
Maliah Hernandez, age 14, Blairstown

June
Natellie Heartsill, age 16, Chariton

July
Dorian Devore, age 10, Melbourne

August
Beth Rashidi, age 14, Van Horne

Four additional student artists received honorable mentions:

Makinley Miller, age 12, Atkins

Raelynn Sondag, age 12, Van Horne

Penny Childers, age 12, Newhall

Landry Ferch, age 6, State Center

Free special-edition 2026-2027 Choose Iowa Coloring Calendars will be available for fairgoers at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship booth in the Agriculture Building while supplies last. A digital version of the special-edition calendar will be available on the Choose Iowa website.

High-quality photos of the winners receiving their certificates will be available within one month of the ceremony on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's Flickr page.

Learn more about Choose Iowa at ChooseIowa.com.