Marybeth Jaggard Named Iowan of the Day

DES MOINES, IA (07/30/2014)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are pleased to present Marybeth Jaggard of Oelwein as an Iowan of the Day for the 2014 Iowa State Fair.

Baker and volunteer extraordinaire, Jaggard is highly involved in the town of Oelwein. In a typical day, one can find Marybeth Jaggard in the kitchen, baking breads and cookie bars for local clubs and organizations. She can also be found volunteering her time with the local Girl Scouts troop, or singing in the church choir. On top of everything else, Jaggard finds time to act as a member of the Friends of the Library board and the Public Library Foundation board.

"Every day we see her in the trenches," said friend and nominator Sue Johnson. "At church, as trustee, weekly altar flower provider, class and choir member, at the library heading up the Book and Bake Sales, tending the public herb gardens she helped plant, teaching adult education classes and as a volunteer in the RSVP program. These are her retirement activities."

One of Jaggard's favorite retirement activities is gardening. A master gardener, she is the president of the Fayette County Master Gardeners. She is also a nature center volunteer at Fontana Park. Not only is Jaggard an outstanding Iowan through her volunteer work, she has also made history. In 1949 Jaggard became the first woman to receive an advanced degree from Iowa in Pharmacy. She received her degree from the University of Iowa.

Jaggard's day of recognition will be Saturday, August 16 at the 2014 Iowa State Fair. Along with accommodations at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott, she will receive a cash prize, grandstand tickets and use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart. Jaggard will also receive a special introduction on August 16 at 2:15 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.

Founded in 1997, the Iowan of the Day program allows the Blue Ribbon Foundation to recognize Iowa's most outstanding individuals. The program continues to honor Iowan's across the state who have made a difference in others' lives, while upholding the characteristics associated with Iowa-dependability, integrity, hard work and sense of community.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated over $100 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

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