Choose Iowa launches passport

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig launched the Choose Iowa Passport this week.

The free, interactive digital platform is designed to help Iowans and visitors find farms and farm stands, orchards, you-pick opportunities, farm-to-table dining and restaurants, farmers markets and even boutique shops featuring locally-sourced Iowa products including Iowa raised meats.

This innovative marketing initiative, a collaboration between Choose Iowa and Travel Iowa, promotes unique agritourism experiences and encourages visitors to enjoy Iowa grown, raised and made food, beverages and agricultural products, according the

Users of the Choose Iowa Passport can check in at participating locations via their smartphones to earn points, which can be redeemed for prizes.

Beyond visiting Choose Iowa Passport locations, consumers looking to support and purchase local Iowa products can look for the Choose Iowa logo and know these items are Iowa grown, raised, and made.

Farms and businesses who join the Choose Iowa branding and marketing program can add the Choose Iowa logo on their products which meet or exceed established criteria and standards.

Choose Iowa’s membership is climbing steadily, with many of the 264 current members offering on-farm retail, said Naig’s office. This collaboration between Travel Iowa, the state’s official tourism office within the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Choose Iowa supports rural communities while connecting travelers with agritourism, farm-to-table dining and unique agricultural experiences.

The Choose Iowa Passport is free and mobile-friendly with no apps to download. It is accessible anytime via smartphone.

Choose Iowa Passport users can check in at each stop to earn points and redeem them for prizes, including Iowa products.

Discover farms with on-site retail, agritourism experiences, farm-to-table restaurants, retailers offering Iowa products and farmers markets showcasing local products.

Connect with Iowa farmers, businesses, and restaurants committed to selling and sourcing Iowa grown, raised and made food, beverages and other ag products.