2026 Farm Bureau Cookout

Farm Bureau Cookout Winners Honored

Top grillers and smokers met in a friendly competition during the 2026 Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout, held Tuesday, August 18, at the 2026 Iowa State Fair.

Cookout Champion
1st – Michaiah Jones, Coralville

Beef
1st – Refugio Contreras, Hampton 
2nd - Ben Zehr, Keswick

Lamb
1st – Mitch Elliott, Muscatine 
2nd - Logan Kahler, Boone

Pork
1st – Erik Gutierrez, Glenwood
2nd - Rick Slaymaker, Ottumwa 

Chicken
1st – Martez Stevenson, West Des Moines 
2nd - Matthew Stout, Washington

Turkey
1st – Michaiah Jones, Coralville
2nd - Erik Mortens, Polk City

Youth
1st – Sawyer Brinkman, Carroll 
2nd - Chris Andrews, Dayton

Showmanship
1st – Refugio Contreras, Hampton

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The Iowa State Fair is one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country and the single largest event in the state. The Fair began over 170 years ago and is now considered one of the best events in the nation, attracting more than one million Fairgoers every year from all over the world. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University, just off the interstate and minutes from Downtown Des Moines. Fair Spirit, August 13-23, 2026. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.