Holidays are Filled with Fun and Games for this Family

Traditions are held near and dear to many families during the holidays. The Dawes family of Adel, Iowa, has been carrying on a unique family tradition for more than 20 years. Every Christmas they gather for a warm meal at their grandparents’ house followed by the annual family cribbage tournament! This year, the fourth generation took part in the heated competition and as their elders reminisced about games in years past.

From playing cribbage to working together on the family farm, values of team work and good morals were instilled in Beau and his brother from their parents, Nick and Peg. Growing up just three miles where he lives now, Beau says the farm is where his favorite memories took place.

Beau drive to the field for the first time with his grandpa. His grandma would pile all the grandkids into the front seat of the old farm pickup and let each of them have a turn driving. They would pretend to go through the McDonald’s drive-through, so there was no damage to the crops. He found himself on other side of his favorite memory 25 years later, teaching his kids the same thing.

Beau and his wife, Amie, have three adorable children: Leah (9), Blake (4), and Lane (3). Beau farms with his dad, Nick. Beau handles the day-to-day operations related to row crop operation, and Nick runs his own cow-calf herd on the side of their farm.

Amie was a city girl with no farming background until she met Beau. He admits that getting her behind the wheel of the grain cart is a work in progress, but he says she’s a great wife and mother. Amie keeps more than busy working  full time as a physician assistant in a high-risk obstetrics office. She and Beau’s mom also brings good meals to the field during harvest and planting season.

Beau not only fulfills the role of a farmer, but he insists on making time for his family as a dad and husband. He also strives to be a reliable seed dealer for his customers, taking over the dealership his father started in 2000. As an exclusive Latham® Dealer, Beau prides his actions and success on personally checking in with his customers. In addition to his personal goals for his dealership, Beau explains how meaningful it is to work for a family-owned seed company.

“I appreciate knowing that John Latham will make time to walk a field with one of my customers,” said Beau. “That shows a lot about the culture of Latham Seeds and the positive experience they are willing to offer their customers.”

In addition to taking time to meet with customers, Beau says the Lathams look out for their people and treat them like family.

Beau appreciates the opportunity to farm with his family. Carrying on the legacy is exactly how he wanted to raise his own family. Beau’s goal is to continue the Dawes farming story and pass on the lifestyle to the fourth generation. In honor of the Dawes legacy of raising beef cattle, today we’re sharing a beef recipe from the Iowa Beef Industry Council. Give your traditional Sloppy Joes a twist with this recipe!