Phil Dicks of Grundy Center won first place and a $300 cash award in the Des Moines Register's Hog and Corn Heaven competition, judged Wednesday at the 2015 Iowa State Fair.

Young competitors from across Iowa earned breed championships in the Youth Dairy Cattle Show judged Tuesday at the 2015 Iowa State Fair. Breed division winners in the Youth Dairy Cattle Show included: AYRSHIRE Junior Champion: Cody Zidlicky, Decorah Junior Reserve Champion: Levi Banowetz, Charlotte Senior Champion: Ashley Bushman, Calmar Senior Reserve Champion: Cole Kruse, Dyersville Grand Champion: Ashley Bushman, Calmar Reserve Grand Champion: Cole Kruse, Dyersville BROWN SWISS Junior Champion: Mitchell Hanson, La Porte City Junior Reserve Champion: Gavin Simatovich, Gilman Senior Champion: Kathryn Appler, Elgin Senior Reserve Champion: Cody Zidlicky, Decorah Grand Champion: Kathryn Appler, Elgin Reserve Grand Champion: Cody Zidlicky, Decorah MILKING SHORTHORN Junior Champion: Dakota Sawyer, Marshalltown Junior Reserve Champion: Madison Gibbs, Earlville Senior Champion: Halie Gruenwald, Lost Nation Senior Reserve Champion: Ryne Gruenwald, Lost Nation Grand Champion: Halie Gruenwald, Lost Nation Reserve Grand Champion: Ryne Gruenwald, Lost Nation GUERNSEY Junior Champion: JJ Eilers, Urbana Junior Reserve Champion: Landon Sivesind, Waukon Senior Champion: Landon Sivesind, Waukon Senior Reserve Champion: Scotty Young, Epworth Grand Champion: Landon Sivesind, Waukon Reserve Grand Champion: Scotty Young, Epworth JERSEY Junior Champion: Dana Sickles, Marengo Junior Reserve Champion: Gavin Simativich, Gilman Senior Champion: Kaylee Koss, Epworth Senior Reserve Champion: Ally Bierschenk, Van Horne Grand Champion: Kaylee Koss, Epworth Reserve Grand Champion: Ally Bierschenk, Van Horne HOLSTEIN Junior Champion: Brock Henderson, Coggon Junior Reserve Champion: John Butz, Cedar Rapids Senior Champion: Andy Dougherty, Epworth Senior Reserve Champion: Royce Demmer, Peosta Grand Champion: Andy Dougherty, Epworth Reserve Grand Champion: Royce Demmer, Peosta The Showmanship award is given for the exhibitors' ability to present their livestock in the show ring and answer any questions the judge may ask about their animal.

Wesley Lyons of Vinton is among students who were named to the President's List at Drake University. This academic honor is achieved by earning a straight-A GPA of 4.

 Shelby Karr of Newhall won Grand Champion Market Lamb honors in the 4-H Market Lamb Show judged Monday at the 2015 Iowa State Fair. Brooke Kuesel of Victor exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb.

Since they were just five months old, Jenna and Nora Grovert have been turning heads and winning contests as identical twins. The daughters of Paul and Janet Grovert made their first appearance at the Iowa State Fair in 2010.

Cattle farms from across the Midwest were recognized for their top quality cattle in the Beef Feeder Calf show judged Saturday at the 2015 Iowa State Fair.

Ben Jacobson of Clarion showed the Grand Champion Market Pig at the FFA Market Swine contest judged Thursday during the 2015 Iowa State Fair. Alex Alliger of Gowrie claimed Reserve Grand Champion Market Pig honors.

The Apiary competition brought out competitors' stingers when it was judged prior to the start of the 2015 Iowa State Fair.  Deb and Dennis Nielson of Newhall were among the ribbon winners in several categories, and Deb won first place in the Apiary Photography event.

The Cedar River R.A.T.S.wish to thank the following for their individual contributions and support…. Izaak Walton League Kurt’s Enterprises Fareway Benton County Landfill Commission Schoonover Tuckpointing OuterEdge Screenprinting Benton County Conservation Brenda Hackbarth Lee Schwenker Brett Root Dan Engledow Matt Marovec And of course, each and every one of the FIFTY-­‐TWO volunteers that came to the park and gave their ‘all’ to this project.

Dorothy Olszyk is originally from Eugene, Oregon and has recently been hired as the Assistant Member Support Specialist for the North Central Region.