Trending
DES MOINES -- Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig recognized 17 Iowa students whose artwork was selected for the special-edition 2026-27 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 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.
The special-edition 2026-27 Choose Iowa Coloring Calendar artists include:
Cover
Rose Greenlees, 16, Adel
September
Wells Wibholm, 7, Blairsburg
October
Evelyn Douglas, 16, Keystone
November
Hudson Eggers, 9, State Center
December
Kennah Determan, 10, State Center
January
Preslee DeRossett, 10, Melbourne
February
Renee Franks, 13, Atkins
March
Hathaway Samson, 7, Baxter
April
Presley Jacobsen, 6, State Center
May
Maliah Hernandez, 14, Blairstown
June
Natellie Heartsill, 16, Chariton
July
Dorian Devore, 10, Melbourne
August
Beth Rashidi, 14, Van Horne
Four additional student artists received honorable mentions: Makinley Miller, 12, Atkins; Raelynn Sondag, 12, Van Horne; Penny Childers, 12, Newhall and Landry Ferch, 6, State Center.
Free special-edition 2026-27 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 at: www.chooseiowa.com/kids-teachers?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery