Duane and Shirley Bushman, honored at the Iowa State Fair alongside some of their children and grandchildren.
Capturing the legacy of a family farm
October 1, 2025 | Joclyn Kuboushek
The 2025 Iowa State Fair will always hold a special place in my heart, as it was the year my family received the Heritage Farm Award, recognizing that our farm has been in the family for 150 years. Standing together with my grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and cousins reminded me just how deep our roots run and how strong the legacy of our farmstead truly is.
What made this moment even more meaningful was the surprise we had planned for my grandparents. To celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary, our family applied for both the Century and Heritage Farm Awards without telling them. When we made the announcement, they were thrilled. I'll never forget how my grandpa's face lit up. He was proud, and rightfully so. Adding to the significance, the awards ceremony happened to fall on his birthday, Aug. 14, making the day one we will always remember.
For me, the greatest part of receiving this award has been the chance to reflect and listen to the stories passed down through the generations — tales of perseverance, change and memories made on this land in the northeast corner of Iowa. Every fencepost, every barn, and every acre carries with it the hard work and dedication of those who came before us.
This farm is more than a piece of land to me, it's where my passion for storytelling through photography first began. From capturing the cattle in the feedlots and photographing the everyday rhythms of farm life, this place taught me to see beauty in the ordinary and the power of preserving memories. What started as taking simple snapshots around the farm grew into a career rooted in telling stories of agriculture and family, all inspired by the land that has always been home.
As I sat in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion, watching more than 200 families walk across the stage to accept their awards, I felt a deep sense of connection. Though our farms are spread across the state, the pride, challenges and love for the land we share are the same. Each family has its own story, but together, we represent the spirit of Iowa agriculture and the enduring legacy of family farming.
Written by Joclyn Kuboushek.
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