Recently I made a trek to the presidential place of choice: The Iowa State Fair. As I walked around the grounds on my way to the dairy show, I was hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the 77 presidential hopefuls, but came up empty.

I spent most of my time around the livestock barns; they did not. But there is a reason for that – dodging show pigs and watching where you step would have been a full-time job for most of these urbanites. I mean, can you imagine Hillary or Donald trying to plow their way through the clipping chutes and coolers?

And then to have a cow splatter right in front of them – while it would have gone viral on social media sites, it probably wouldn’t be the most positive presidential photo-op on the grounds.

I have to say, the Iowa State Fair was impressive. From the educational exhibits to the air-conditioned arena to the pork chop on a stick, it was all wonderful. As we walked through the livestock barns, it was apparent agriculture is king in this part of the country.

FFA exhibitors flooded the hog and sheep barns, where youth of all kinds were enjoying their time showing, sweating and just having fun. This place was the quintessential state fair, and my recommendation for parents everywhere is to skip Disney and head to Des Moines.

After my daughter and I left the fairgrounds, we wove our way through Madison County where the blockbuster movie “The Bridges of Madison County” was filmed. I wanted to see at least one covered bridge.

Since the Winterset Visitors Bureau was closed for the day, we headed down a dirt road in search of a covered bridge and found the Hogback Bridge, one no longer used by vehicles. There was even a guest book of sorts that hung in the center of the bridge for visitors to sign – and of course I signed it.

A few days later, I had an assignment at the Indiana State Fair during the dairy show. Another state fair I had never attended, this too was everything I expected and more. Beautiful buildings, friendly staff and hospitality beyond belief.

Upon arriving, I was escorted to park right next to the building where I would be working. The staff greeted me with refreshments and when the lunch wagon rolled in, I was supplied with a hot grilled cheese sandwich and a fresh vanilla milkshake.

All these perks may seem silly, but when you have to drag bags of equipment and beg for electricity and a place to sit with a laptop and are told there is no room, you begin to question the value of your work. And when people snap their fingers at you and tell you to hurry up or sneer at you because they don’t like media, you really question why you’re in this business.

But when someone welcomes you in and feeds you a good lunch and offers a helping hand, it’s a refreshing change worth writing about.

If you’re contemplating taking your children to a fun place with an educational component, ditch the long car ride, expensive flights and endless lines that Disney offers and head to a state fair in the Midwest. You won’t regret it!

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.