Iowans and out-of-state visitors are eager to return to the sights, entertainment, activities and of course, food, at the 2021 Iowa State Fair held Aug. 12-22. This year, Iowa Farm Bureau has dubbed Farm Bureau Park, located on the Grand Concourse, as the ‘Great Meat Up’ where fairgoers can meet real Iowa farmers and learn on how food is grown today.   
 
“The ‘Great Iowa Meat Up’ celebrates our return to being together and the farmers who grow and raise the meat and dairy that Iowans love. No place is more of a testament to that than the Iowa State Fair where we see droves of people lined up for pork chops on a stick, huge turkey legs or ice cream desserts. But we also recognize many people want to know if their favorite fair foods were raised sustainably and with care,” says IFBF President Craig Hill.  “Farmers at Farm Bureau Park are excited to tell their story of top-notch animal care and the conservation efforts happening on their family farms. Through continuous innovation and technology, farmers today are doing more, growing more, and raising healthier animals than ever before – all while using fewer resources which is good for our planet and the animals. It’s a story they’re proud to share.”  
             
Free, low-touch family-friendly games with prizes will help visitors to Farm Bureau Park learn more about how nutritious real milk and dairy products are raised with the environment and animal care in mind. Dozens of Iowa farmers will also be on hand to answer questions fairgoers have on food and farming.

Iowa Farm Bureau members are encouraged to visit Farm Bureau Park to claim their free membership gift and enter a drawing to win a top-of-the-line Traeger Grill and ‘ultimate’ $500 Fareway meat package. Iowans who sign up to become a new Farm Bureau member are registered for a chance to win a Yeti Haul cooler and a $200 Fareway meat package. All visitors can also register to win $500 in free groceries by taking the Member Benefit Challenge. New this year, Farm Bureau Financial Services will hold daily drawings for $500 to invest in a college fund or retirement account.
             
Farm Bureau Day at the State Fair, Tues., Aug. 17 features the annual Farm Bureau Cookout Contest on the Grand Concourse with winners announced at noon. The contest is a celebration of Iowa-raised meat and hosts county Farm Bureau Cookout Contest contestants competing for cash prizes and the title of Cookout Champion. On Sat., Aug. 14, visitors can also meet Iowa’s youngest and brightest agriculturists during “Young Farmer Day” at Farm Bureau Park.

Iowa Farm Bureau-invited health partners will also provide many free services during the fair.  American Physical Therapy Association of Iowa will conduct physical and cognitive screenings on Aug. 13; Iowa Methodist Medical Center will do balance screenings and Unity Point will offer safe driving tips on Aug. 17 and 19; and Health Gauge will do free blood pressure screenings on Aug. 18. For a complete listing of events and activities going on this year at Farm Bureau Park, visit www.iowafarmbureau.com.