New Latham® Dealer is Jack of Many Trades

It’s common for seed representatives to farm, but Kevin Hildring of Larchwood in Northwest Iowa is involved with the agriculture industry in another way. He works for a small firm that does environmental and nutrient management consulting.

“I farmed for a number of years,” explains Kevin. “It feels like I’m still farming most days because I help farmers with fertilizer, soil sampling, and various aspects on their farm. I really enjoy that aspect of my job.”

Kevin has worn many different hats throughout his career. He worked in the animal pharmaceutical industry for more than 30 years with Elanco where he was a part of the vaccination development team. He helped engineer new vaccines for more efficient protein production. He still relies on this expertise and does some private consulting for smaller pharmaceutical companies, especially when they are working to develop a new product for the marketplace. He also has managed approximately 900 acres of farm ground for the last 30 years.

“I enjoy farm management because I’m able to see how the industry has evolved over the years,” he says. “It is really amazing to see how things have changed and improved in the time I managed the land.”

Managing all of these projects could be challenging, but it really fits Kevin’s education and interests. He earned a degree in Strategic Management and then an MBA, focusing on Operations and Project Management, from Colorado Tech University.

When Kevin is off the clock, he enjoys spending time with his family. His wife is a retired school teacher. They have two sons, Nick and Ben, and one daughter, Anna. Nick works in the insurance industry. Ben is enlisted in the military service, and Anna is a school teacher. They also have two grandsons. Kevin also enjoys gardening, reading, traveling and scuba diving.

“I got into scuba diving simply because it was always something I wanted to do. They have a scuba shop, as well as classes, in Sioux Falls so I enrolled. My wife and I take a trip to the Caribbean each year because I really enjoy diving there.”

Kevin has followed a unique career path in agriculture that allows him to offer a unique perspective to his farmer customers. We feel fortunate that he chose to partner with Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds and are excited to see what the new year brings for his Latham dealership!

“I believe Latham is a really good fit for me. I really enjoy the family aspect of the company and I have enjoyed getting to the entire staff,” he says. “I’m excited to get started!”