Secretary Naig Invites Iowans to Hit the Road for Second Annual Choose Iowa Fall Crawl

Approximately 125 locations statewide will welcome visitors Oct. 9-10 for fall fun, local food and authentic Iowa ag experiences

DES MOINES, Iowa (Sept. 22, 2026) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today invited Iowans to hit the road and explore local farms and small businesses during the second annual Choose Iowa Fall Crawl on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10. Approximately 125 Choose Iowa members across the state are already signed up to participate, offering Iowans and visitors an opportunity to discover unique destinations, enjoy family-friendly fall activities and support family farms and small businesses.

“Fall is a great time to get out and explore Iowa, and the Choose Iowa Fall Crawl is a great opportunity to hit the road, take the backroads and turn a fall weekend into an Iowa adventure,” said Secretary Naig. “Whether you’re looking for an apple orchard, pumpkin patch, corn maze, farm store, local food or just a fun place to spend a fall day, there will be about 125 Choose Iowa stops to welcome you. Bring your family or friends, enjoy the fall colors, discover some new favorite places and support Iowa farmers and small businesses along the way.”

Participating Fall Crawl locations will represent the diversity of Iowa agriculture and offer a wide range of experiences, including:

  • Apple orchards, pumpkin patches and corn mazes
  • Farms, farm stores and farm stands
  • Agritourism and outdoor experiences
  • Seasonal activities and family-friendly fun
  • Local food, beverages and Iowa-made products
  • Opportunities to meet Iowa farmers, producers and small business owners

Plan Your Fall Crawl with the free Choose Iowa Passport
For the first time, all Fall Crawl stops will be featured on the free Choose Iowa Passport, giving participants an easy way to find participating locations and plan their own adventure. Participants can sign up for the Passport online and have it delivered directly to their phone by text and email.

The free mobile-friendly Passport allows users to:

  • Find Fall Crawl destinations across Iowa
  • Build their own route and discover new places
  • Check in when visiting participating locations
  • Earn points for their visits
  • Redeem points for prizes, including Choose Iowa merchandise and products from
  • Iowa farms and businesses
  • Unlock exclusive discounts at many participating locations

The Choose Iowa Passport, developed in partnership with Travel Iowa, was launched in 2025 to connect consumers with Iowa farms, local food and beverage businesses, and agritourism destinations across the state.

A Statewide Fall Adventure
Each participating location will set its own hours and activities during the Oct. 9-10 Fall Crawl. Visitors are encouraged to use the Passport to plan their routes, confirm individual hours and learn more about what each destination will offer.

Choose Iowa will also have a presence at Country View Dairy near Hawkeye in Fayette County as the farm celebrates its 15th anniversary with its annual Fall Festival. The two-day celebration will include farm tours, food, frozen yogurt, door prizes and family activities.

The Fall Crawl builds on Choose Iowa’s growing lineup of opportunities to connect consumers directly with Iowa farmers and small businesses. Earlier this summer, the second annual Choose Iowa Farm Crawl invited Iowans to visit farms, creameries, farm stores, flower farms, wineries, breweries, restaurants and other destinations across the state.

About Choose Iowa
Choose Iowa is the state’s signature branding and marketing program for Iowa grown, Iowa made and Iowa raised food, beverages and ag products. The Choose Iowa program was launched by Secretary Naig and is administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Now with nearly 360 members statewide, Choose Iowa continues to build momentum and visibility while connecting consumers with Iowa farmers and small businesses. Questions about Choose Iowa and its member benefits, grants and programs can be emailed to [email protected].

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About the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship advocates for Iowa's farmers and protects consumers, animals, our food supply and our shared soil and water resources. Our programs strengthen rural communities, support a thriving agriculture economy, and build a stronger future for all Iowans.

 

Media Contact: 
Don McDowell
Communications Director
(515) 326-1616
[email protected]