Six Iowa farm families will be recognized for their dedication to agriculture as recipients of the 2026 Way We Live Award at the Iowa State Fair.
The award honors families whose lives have been shaped by farming and who demonstrate a strong work ethic, resilience, community involvement and a lasting commitment to Iowa agriculture.
This year’s recipients include Mensen Holsteins of Guttenberg, Moeckly Farms of Polk City, Bawnmore Farm of Chelsea, Blueberry Bottom Farm/Zihlman Family Farms of Brighton, the Bob and Patty Henderson Family of Albia, and Jeff and Shannon Hafner of Panora.
The families represent a wide range of Iowa agriculture, from dairy and livestock operations to organic crops, fruit production and sustainable farming.
Among the honorees is the Henderson family of Albia, which operates a pasture-to-plate farming operation. The family manages 500 cows, a 1,200-head feedyard and 1,700 acres of row crops while using sustainable practices, including vermiculture and vermicomposting. The Henderson family will be recognized August 20 at 11:45 a.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.
Blueberry Bottom Farm/Zihlman Family Farms of Brighton will be honored August 18. The diversified organic farming operation produces row crops, fruits and nuts while emphasizing sustainability, stewardship and direct-to-consumer sales.
Other recognition ceremonies will be held throughout the Fair, with Mensen Holsteins and Moeckly Farms honored August 14, Bawnmore Farm on August 15, and Jeff and Shannon Hafner on August 22.
Now in its 18th year, the Way We Live Award has recognized 101 Iowa farm families. Each winning family receives $250, admission and parking, other prizes and recognition at the Iowa State Fair.
Source: Iowa State Fair
