Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig presented the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to Ernie and Paula Barnes during a ceremony Aug. 18 at the 2026 Iowa State Fair. The award recognized the Barnes family for their commitment to livestock care, service to Iowa agriculture and decades of leadership supporting the pork industry and the Iowa State Fair.
Ernie and Paula, along with their son, Josh, and daughter, Courtney, own a diversified farm near Earlham that includes commercial pigs, a cow-calf herd and soybean production. Through their livestock operation, careers and volunteer service, the Barnes family has spent decades supporting Iowa agriculture and helping develop future generations of livestock producers and agricultural leaders.
Ernie’s career in the pork industry spans more than five decades. He worked with organizations including the National Swine Registry, National Pork Producers Council and National Pork Board. Paula has also devoted decades to making the Iowa State Fair a welcoming experience for fairgoers.
PHOTO: IA Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig
