JEWELL — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will be in Hamilton County on Thursday, December 11 as part of his annual visit to each of the 99 counties in Iowa.

Secretary Naig will be visiting two businesses in Jewell. He will be at the Jewell Market and Juniper and Olive Co., for a discussion about Choose Iowa, rural vitality, small business and community economic development.

At both stops, he is expected to be joined by State Rep. Shannon Latham, who represents Hamilton County in the Iowa Legislature.

The Jewell Market is a Choose Iowa member. Secretary Naig will visit with the owners and employees, tour the store, and talk about the Choose Iowa program. They will also discuss how to continue to grow Choose Iowa, discuss rural development, local food access/markets and the current challenges and opportunities with owning and operating an independent grocery store in rural Iowa.

Naig will be at the Jewell Market from approximately 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Thursday. The Jewell market is located at 607 King Street in Jewell.

Juniper and Olive Co. was recently selected to represent Iowa as part of their “The Most Charming Small-Town Restaurant in Every State” list. Secretary Naig will learn about the business, and the group gathered will discuss small business issues and economic development.

Naig is expected to be at Juniper and Olive between 3:15 p.m. and 4 p.m. Juniper and Olive is located at 632 Main Street.