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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Vinton, IA

Home Care Vinton, IA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Cedar River Bridge in Vinton, IA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Vinton, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Vinton, IA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Tracey Gray helped me in the biggest way today! She saved my day and I am so thankful for her choice to help me! Thank you! #CertPrint #AlwaysBestCare”

Coreline I.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care and support they provided to my father. Highly recommended to all!”

James T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all the support your caregivers have provided to my mother. She was very pleased with the care she received. I confidently recommend Always Best Care to all.”

Michael H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!”

Melanie S.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Vinton, IA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Vinton, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Vinton, IA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Vinton, IA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Vinton, IA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Celebration Park in Vinton, IA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Vinton, IA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Lotus Restaurant or visit Vinton Train Depot, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Vinton, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Vinton, IA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Vinton, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Vinton, IA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your IA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Vinton, IA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Vinton, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Vinton, IA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Vinton, IA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Windsor Manor Assisted Living Community
  • The Vinton Lutheran Home Communities & Services
  • Lutheran Home For Aged
  • Cedar Valley Ranch
Home Care Vinton, IA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Vinton, IA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Vinton, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Vinton, IA

Latest News in Vinton, IA

News Boom-Fest Coming to Downtown Vinton - THIS Saturday!

Downtown Vinton will be the place to be on Saturday, August 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. where Boom-Fest brings a day of music, food, shopping and fun to the community.With 100 vendors, this outdoor arts and crafts festival has something for everyone. Visitors can browse crafts galore, grab a bite from one of the food vendors, enjoy live music from the Cedar River Whalers and Todd Frank, and take part in free entertainment for all ages. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday morning and afternoon with family and friends and tak...

Downtown Vinton will be the place to be on Saturday, August 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. where Boom-Fest brings a day of music, food, shopping and fun to the community.

With 100 vendors, this outdoor arts and crafts festival has something for everyone. Visitors can browse crafts galore, grab a bite from one of the food vendors, enjoy live music from the Cedar River Whalers and Todd Frank, and take part in free entertainment for all ages. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday morning and afternoon with family and friends and take in the lively atmosphere of this community celebration.

Boom-Fest is also a chance to support the talented local and area vendors who will be sharing their handmade creations and products. Whether you’re looking for something unique, meeting up with friends or simply looking for something fun to do, there will be plenty to see and enjoy. Boom-Fest is the perfect opportunity to shop local, support area vendors and enjoy everything downtown Vinton has to offer.

So mark your calendar and make plans to join the fun! Boom-Fest is this Saturday, August 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in downtown Vinton. Admission and entertainment are free, so bring the family, invite your friends and come celebrate Vinton's creative spirit!

Boom-Fest

Saturday, August 29 | 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Downtown Vinton

Come for the crafts. Stay for the fun!

Vendor List:

Aunt Chrispy's Creations

Sunkissed aesthetics

Uniquely Real Adornments

Brit’s Custom Tees / Color Street Nails

Iowa Local Forage

Scent-Sations, Inc.

Unique Crafts & More by C & L

NuYou Blooming Beauties

Honor And Respect LLC

Barbara Floyd Campbell Fine Art

Norwex

CraftyRae

Anytime Embroidery and Crafts

Paper Pie Learning

Larry's Custom Picture Framing

LeeAnns Creations

Mad City Windows and Baths

B&B Woodworks

Kindred Collective Boutique & Salon

Seaborn Hot Sauce

Creative Crafts & More

Bags By Cari

Better Together Animal Rescue

Benton Co. Suicide Prevention Coalition

Cookie Maniacs

Stwalley Bee Co.

Grim Prints

Dixie's Garden Art

Crystals and Wood

Beaver's Clay

The Candy Man

Made With Glitter

Sharon's Rag Rugs

Pure Air Technologies

Crafty Designs by Julie

Designs By Mary E

Yb Toy& Games

Clipper Corner

Zombina's Creations

Carol's Creations

Leah, sweet treats.and fresh lemonade.

Backyard Vines, LLC

The Garloff Stitchery

Scott Shrader Photography

Klaudia Von Sweets

Craftastic Chrissy

Brunettes salon&barber

Winifred's Quilted Wonders

Sweet Bee Treats/Crafts by Mike

Benton County Historical Society

Di's Creations

Grandma Leona's Bakery

Scentsy

Pink Saturn Treasures

Art Everyday

Nanaley Notions

Veterans Creed Veteran Services

CB Etchings & More

Dawn's Crafts & More

WG Custom Leather

CM Photos

The Bread Boutique by Trish

42 North Winery

Crafts by Amber

Crafts by Cindy

Gloria Orcutt Art

Revelation Creation

Jason Hoover’s Native American Art

Plus many more individual artists and bakers!

Auction at former Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School draws concern from alumni, former staff

VINTON, Iowa (KCRG) - An auction scheduled this month at the former Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in Vinton has alumni and former staff concerned about what items may be sold off.Pat Hamling, a former student who started at the school as a third grader in 1945, said the campus holds decades of personal history.“I graduated in ’55. Those were wonderful years of my life,” Hamling said.Four-day auction to span nine buildingsRod Backes of Backes Auction said the sale will take place across a...

VINTON, Iowa (KCRG) - An auction scheduled this month at the former Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in Vinton has alumni and former staff concerned about what items may be sold off.

Pat Hamling, a former student who started at the school as a third grader in 1945, said the campus holds decades of personal history.

“I graduated in ’55. Those were wonderful years of my life,” Hamling said.

Four-day auction to span nine buildings

Rod Backes of Backes Auction said the sale will take place across all nine buildings on campus over four days.

“There’s nine buildings on the campus and we’re selling in all nine buildings. The first day we’ll be going through three. The second day, the service building, that’s just one massive auction itself. Day three we’ll be in four and then the last day we’ll be in the large main campus building,” Backes said.

Items tagged for auction include lockers, seating and an organ from the school’s auditorium. Backes said the third floor of the main building — which houses a museum full of school history — will not be part of the sale.

“None of that will be up for auction and it cannot be up for auction. The Hobarts (the sellers) want to make sure they’re doing the right thing and they’re going to keep all the equipment up there. All of the antiques and stuff that go with the college,” Backes said.

Preservation group says it has not seen full auction list

Carolyn Hibbs, a former teacher and president of the IBSSS Mary Ingalls Society, said her organization has not been given the opportunity to review what is up for sale.

The goal of the Mary Ingalls Society is to preserve the history of the school.

“There are still things upstairs that we haven’t even sorted through yet. And I don’t know whether they’ll plan on eliminating all that stuff too,” Hibbs said.

Former teacher Rich Farmer said he would like the chance to flag items of historical significance before the auction proceeds.

“It’d be nice to go through and say this has historical significance and so we would recommend you save this and move it into the museum,” Farmer said.

The Mary Ingalls Society hopes the main building can eventually serve as a museum to display items currently stored on the third floor. The school stopped housing students in the dorms in 2011.

Current building owner responds

One of the owners of the building said this auction was the most efficient way to empty out the building for new tenants.

“I think the key takeaways to the story from my perspective are nothing of any historical significance is part of the auction, so that includes both Braille School history and building history,” said BJ Hobart of Hobart Historical Restoration. “AmeriCorps left the premises and in doing so, left behind a lot of things. In trying to get the buildings empty to prepare for new tenants, we decided this was the best way.”

Hobart also said her company has also given the Mary Ingalls Society multiple opportunities to get whatever they wanted from the building throughout the years.

“The last communication I had with the Society was in July, 2023 where I had asked them for a list of remaining items they wished to retrieve. I received in partial response: “The items we took from the first floor earlier are items that the Mary Ingalls Society purchased with monies acquired through our fund-raising efforts or were donated directly to us. The school requested us to do this,” Hobart sent to TV9. “I have not received any further communication, so it was my assumption that anything of any value to them had been retrieved. As I advised 3 years ago, we cannot act as a storage facility, and we are unable to continue to store items in perpetuity for anyone.

For the time being, we are keeping safe all their paperwork and all the museum items, though depending on the next renter, we may need to insist they remove those remaining items."

News 514 Iowa Century and Heritage Farm Families Honored at the 2026 Iowa State Fair

Representing the Noe Farm, a Century Farm, Brian Carlson, Nancy Gottehuet, Melinda Carlson ---Annual recognition of multi-generational family farms coincides with America250, the 50th anniversary of the Century Farm Program and the 20th anniversary of the Heritage Farm Program.Area Century Farms Recognized at the Iowa State Fair in 2026Brian Carlson, Garrison, 1920-2026 (pictured)Donald G. and Shelly A. Petersen, Mt. Auburn, 1919-2026Mark Pingenot, Vinton, 1920-2026Darwin ...

Representing the Noe Farm, a Century Farm, Brian Carlson, Nancy Gottehuet, Melinda Carlson

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Annual recognition of multi-generational family farms coincides with America250, the 50th anniversary of the Century Farm Program and the 20th anniversary of the Heritage Farm Program.

Area Century Farms Recognized at the Iowa State Fair in 2026

Brian Carlson, Garrison, 1920-2026 (pictured)

Donald G. and Shelly A. Petersen, Mt. Auburn, 1919-2026

Mark Pingenot, Vinton, 1920-2026

Darwin & Sharon Rieck, Blairstown, 1919-2026

Al & Kandy Schminke, Van Horne, 1908-2026

Stephen A. Underwood, Garrison, 1892-2026

Robert L. Schares, LaPorte City, 1907-2026

Benton County Heritage Farms Recognized at the 2026 Iowa State Fair

Susan Kay Grovert Much, Newhall, 1866-2026

Beverly Hamann Gibson, Keystone, 1873-2026

Brent Harder, Keystone, 1873-2026

Remington-Gordon LLC, Vinton, 1869-2026

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Brent Johnson today honored 514 Iowa farm families with Century or Heritage Farm designations during ceremonies at the 2026 Iowa State Fair. The annual recognition celebrates families who have owned their farms for 100 and 150 years, respectively.

This year, 274 Century Farms and a record 240 Heritage Farms were recognized in the historic Livestock Pavilion. The 2026 ceremonies carry added significance as Iowa celebrates America250, the 50th anniversary of the Century Farm Program and the 20th anniversary of the Heritage Farm Program.

“As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, we are reminded that the story of American agriculture runs straight through the story of our country,” said Secretary Naig. “For generations, farm families have helped feed, fuel, defend and sustain this nation. The values that built America, including hard work and personal responsibility, private property and ownership, perseverance and the determination to leave something better for the next generation, are reflected in each of these Century and Heritage Farm families. There is an intense sense of pride that comes with keeping a farm in the family for 100 or 150 years, and these families represent an incredible legacy of sacrifice, stewardship and progress. As we look ahead to America’s next 250 years, agriculture will remain fundamental to our nation’s success because of families like these who continue to carry that proud tradition forward.”

The Century Farm Program has a special connection to America’s milestone celebrations. The program was established by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation in 1976 as part of the Nation’s Bicentennial Celebration. Fifty years later, Iowa is once again celebrating a major American milestone while recognizing the farm families whose dedication and perseverance have helped shape the state and nation.

“Iowa’s Century and Heritage Farms have been foundational in the growth and prosperity of our great state, and it’s an honor to recognize and celebrate their family farm legacies,” said Brent Johnson, Iowa Farm Bureau President. “Celebrating this special achievement is a testament to the deep roots and generations of hardworking farm families who continue to move Iowa forward.”

The Heritage Farm Program was established in 2006 to recognize the extraordinary achievement of families who have maintained ownership of their farms for at least 150 years. This year’s record 240 Heritage Farm recipients comes as the program celebrates its 20th anniversary. Since the programs began, more than 21,000 Century Farms and more than 2,400 Heritage Farms have been recognized across Iowa.

America250 was also incorporated throughout this year’s recognition ceremonies. Each 2026 Century and Heritage Farm family received a certificate and farm sign featuring the America250 seal and was photographed in front of a special America250 backdrop.

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