Grinnell, Iowa – For brothers Aden and Anthony Wolfe, the Iowa State Fair is the climax of their summer agricultural work. The teens, members of the National FFA Organization and 4‑H, have been showing pigs since they were three years old and now view the fair as their own “Super Bowl” before school starts on August 24.
Preparing for the fair
Each day the brothers clean, feed, and brush their pigs, a routine that has become a central part of their lives. “I love brushing pigs, and I don’t take the most time on that, but I love water brushing him and then always getting to see their face,” said Anthony, an incoming high school freshman and 4‑H member. He added that the brothers sometimes have a “love‑hate relationship” while working together, but they make a strong team.
Aden, an incoming high school senior and FFA member, explained the pressure of the tight schedule. “You have to make sure you’re ready to go because it’s a quick turnaround, but it’s also the mental aspect as well. You put in so much time for these pigs and then in like 48 hours it’s over and you’re already back in school,” he said.
Fair day and beyond
The Iowa State Fair runs through Sunday, August 23, and the brothers will each present a pig—Aden through FFA and Anthony through 4‑H. After the fair, they return to school the next day, balancing their agricultural commitments with sports and academic responsibilities.
“I treat it like a Super Bowl,” Aden said. “This is what I lose sleep about. This is what I’m thinking about 24/7.” He emphasized that the process, not just the competition, is what he enjoys most. “My favorite part is the process. It’s these hours that I’ve been in here the last five weeks. It’s the hours I’ll spend at State Fair the nights before, the thinking and decision‑making that we do day in and day out. That’s what I truly enjoy,” he added.
Community support
The brothers’ dedication reflects a broader tradition of Iowa youth involvement in agriculture. Thousands of 4‑H and FFA members across the state use the fair as a showcase for the skills they have honed throughout the year. Local media KCCI provides live coverage from the MidAmerican Energy Stage and streams the event through the Very Local app, allowing families and community members to follow the competition.
For the Wolfe brothers, the fair represents both a personal milestone and a celebration of the agricultural heritage that shapes their hometown of Grinnell.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
