12 Recipes to Help Get You Fired Up for July

In times of uncertainty and unrest, it’s human nature to look for stability and comfort. That’s why, now more than ever, it’s important to celebrate holiday traditions. Not even a worldwide pandemic can take away our freedom to celebrate our nation’s independence with family and friends – from a safe social distance, of course.

Americans are learning to adapt festivities and create new events. Fourth of July activities in Clear Lake typically attract 100,000 to this quaint North Iowa community during five days of activities, including a carnival and one of Iowa’s grandest parades. This year’s massive fireworks display over Clear Lake has been cancelled, but the community is joining forces with nearby Mason City to offer a patriotic pyrotechnic celebration on July 3. A Fourth of July boat parade is being held in lieu of a typical parade.

Even if you must pivot – which seems to be the latest buzzword used during the COVID-19 pandemic – we hope you can take some time this weekend to celebrate. At Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we believe it is a privilege and a great honor to live and work in the U.S.A.

The Latham Team takes great pride in researching seed products and selected those that are bred to perform best in specific geographic areas. We are as committed to helping farmers today as my husband’s grandfather, Willard Latham, was when he founded Latham Seeds in 1947. Our business can only succeed if our farmer-customer succeeds.

This holiday weekend – and all month long – we will pay tribute to America’s beef, pork, poultry, dairy, fruit and vegetable and producers. Special thanks to Gretta Irwin, executive director and home economist at the Iowa Turkey Federation, for sharing with us one of her favorite recipes.

Our heart goes out and our prayers go up for all livestock and poultry producers as all sectors of U.S. agriculture have felt the pandemic pinch when the food chain broke. Half of all turkey is eaten in sandwiches, so turkey farmers were greatly affected when demand for product decreased significantly from Subway® and Jimmy John’s®. However, turkey farms were not included in pandemic relief funding programs.

“Due to deceased quick service restaurant purchases, we have a surplus of turkey,” says Irwin, who adds that promotions like the one Fareway launched on July 1 are so important to encourage consumers to enjoy fresh turkey. “Fire up the grill and help Iowa turkey farmers.”

July is both National Grilling Month and National Ice Cream Month. Following is a recipe roundup to help you celebrate, too:

1. Celebrate Independence and July Ice Cream Month
2. Go Hog Wild This Holiday
3. Iowa State Fair Turkey Tenderloin
4. 3 Tips to Beef Up Your Grilling Skills
5. Build Your Own Burger Bar
6. Tips to Create Perfect Patties
7. Tri-Tip Steak with Horseradish Sauce
8. Put the Sizzle in Summer with Beef
9. Lemon Pepper Pork Chops
10. Spice Up Summer with Smoked Pork Spareribs
11. Summer Sunday Supper