Welcome Carma DeVries, Latham’s New Office Manager
We’re excited to introduce Carma DeVries as the new office manager at Latham Seeds! With a lifetime of agriculture experience and a love for working with people, Carma joined us on October 7 and has already made her mark as a welcoming face at our Alexander office. Customers and dealers will quickly recognize her as the friendly voice answering the phones, but she’ll also be supporting human resources efforts, assisting with dealer reports, and keeping all of us organized.
Raised in Franklin County, Carma has spent her entire life deeply involved in agriculture, from showing livestock in 4-H and FFA as a kid to working for more than a decade on a Quarter Horse farm. As a lifelong animal lover, Carma continues to volunteer at the Franklin County 4-H and FFA horse show each summer. Carma and her husband, Mark, a farmer and cattle producer, now carry on a farming legacy with their son Joe, raising cattle and cultivating corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. Joe is also a Latham® Dealer and serves as the Northwest Member Services Director for the Iowa Cattlemen Association.
Carma’s background in the seed industry spans 31 years. She majored in horse science technology at Kirkwood Community College. Prior to joining Latham, Carma worked in customer service and office coordination at Profi-Seed, AgVenture, and Simplot, where she developed hands-on expertise in soybean seed, shipping, and customer support. Carma says she’s excited to bring this knowledge to Latham Seeds, reconnecting with her love of working with growers and their products.
“Since starting here, I realized how much I missed working with soybean seed along with the growers who raised them,” Carma says.
Outside the office, Carma stays busy with hobbies like gardening and canning and is actively involved in her local church. She’s thrilled to be part of the Latham team, and looking forward to getting to know our growers, dealers, and her new colleagues. Be sure to stop by and give her a warm welcome the next time you’re in touch with Latham Seeds!
Like many boys who grow up on a farm, Landon Aldinger was fascinated with equipment. Years later he would combine his fascination with equipment and farming with skills in technology and engineering to help others get more results using fewer inputs.
Watching big machines on the family farm led to Landon getting a bachelor’s degree in Ag Engineering from Iowa State University. He then worked nearly seven years as a Senior Design Engineer for the Toro Company in Minneapolis before his story finally came full circle.
“I really enjoyed my time and my career in the cities,” Landon says. “But when I turned 30, my priorities started to shift. I was ready to head home and become more involved in the farming operation.”
Landon had been assisting his father, Mike Aldinger, since 2008 with their seed, chemical and consulting business. Mike started the business with his father (Landon’s grandfather), Merle. After Merle retired, the business became Precision Farm Management, using the latest products to implement more precision ag services like variable rate seeding, fertilizer and nitrogen.
Besides managing the farming business, Landon runs Aldinger Engineering LLC consulting. He also spends time “carpet farming” and helping his oldest son, Grady, fix his equipment in their living room. Landon sees signs of a second-generation engineer/farmer in his son.
“Grady continues to love all things agriculture and equipment,” Landon says proudly. “It is not uncommon for him to head out to the field for a few hours to ride along and ‘help’ anyway he can. I love watching his excitement.” Landon and his wife, Kinsey, also have a younger son named McCoy, who will soon compete with his older brother for the buddy seat.
In addition to raising kids and crops, the Aldingers also raise cattle and pork. Warm and hearty soups like this one help keep their crew growing.
Growing Latham’s high-quality soybeans has become a legacy for many farm families, as Steve and Karen Bruns demonstrate from their North Central Iowa farm.
“I have enjoyed working with everyone at Latham Seeds,” says Steve Bruns, who’s been a contract grower of Latham® seed beans since 1999. While he was in high school, Steve worked on weekends and during the summer for Latham grower Hugh Porterfield. Steve later custom-farmed Hugh’s ground for 20 years.
“The people I work with at Latham are the ones I’ve known since grade school,” adds Steve, who grew up northeast of Alexander, Iowa, on a farm his grandfather purchased in 1949.
Finding Farming Again
Like many young people, Steve left the area for a few years before he decided to choose farming as his livelihood. Sadly, Steve’s father developed cancer around that same time.
“I had to quickly take over the farm, right in the middle of the Farm Crisis,” says Steve, whose father, Dean, was just 44 years old when he passed. “Luckily, I didn’t have the chance to accumulate a lot of debt, which forced a lot of our farmers out of business during those turbulent years.”
What’s Next for Pork Producers
During the 1980s and 1990s, the pork industry changed a lot. Contracts to hog producers allowed for a steady income and took away the market swings. Steve got back into the pork industry in 2000 and operated a 4,000-head site for 20 years. As a top Iowa pork producer, his family’s photo was displayed outside the Animal Learning Center at the Iowa State Fair in 2005.
Although he’s no longer producing pork, Steve uses hog manure for fertilizer on as many acres as he can.
“Hog manure gives an extra yield bump if conditions are right when it’s applied,” he says. “We’ve seen a 10- to 20-bushel yield bump when manure has been applied under the right conditions.”
The Bruns Family
Now that he has retired from pork production, Steve hopes to have more time for golfing, fishing and hunting. Karen retired from the postal service after 21 years. She enjoys sewing, walking, gardening, traveling and spending time with family. The couple has three grown children: Eric, Jami and Lindsey.
The Bruns Family
The Bruns family enjoys gathering at the farm for great meals like this Ground Pork Casserole, a recipe passed down by Steve’s grandmother Elsie.
Tar Spot is a fungal disease has rapidly become a significant concern for corn growers across the Midwest. As we all know, sometimes a great offense is your best defense. That’s why Latham Seeds has been placing a greater emphasis on developing hybrids with Tar Spot tolerance in recent years.
Latham’s 2025 Corn Hybrids
Latham’s 2025 corn hybrid lineup includes three new hybrids with great Tar Spot scores. If you’re seeing Tar Spot in your fields this growing season, consider one of these for 2025 planting:
Early scouting and timely treatment are critical in managing this disease and protecting yield potential.
Understanding Tar Spot
Tar spot is caused by the fungus Phyllachora maydis and can be identified by its characteristic black, tar-like spots on corn leaves. These spots can merge, causing significant leaf damage, which leads to reduced photosynthesis, premature leaf senescence, and ultimately, lower yields. The disease thrives in cool, humid conditions and can spread quickly, making early detection essential.
The Importance of Early Scouting
Scouting early and often is your best defense against tar spot. Begin monitoring your fields as soon as conditions become favorable—typically in late spring or early summer when temperatures are cool, and humidity is high. Keep a close eye on the lower canopy, where the disease usually starts. Catching tar spot in its early stages allows you to make informed decisions about fungicide applications, which can help mitigate the disease’s impact.
Treatment Strategies
If tar spot is detected, a timely fungicide application is crucial. Choose fungicides with proven efficacy against tar spot and apply them at the right growth stage for maximum effectiveness. In some cases, a second application may be necessary, especially in high-risk environments or when conditions favor disease development.
Top-Performing Latham Hybrids
At Latham Seeds, we’ve been rigorously testing our hybrids in a variety of conditions to ensure they can withstand the challenges posed by tar spot. Learn more about how hybrids handle Tar Spot this fall during Training in Excellence (TIE) plots!
By prioritizing early scouting and timely treatment, and by choosing hybrids with strong disease resistance, you can minimize the impact of tar spot on your fields. As always, we’re here to support you with the best products and agronomic advice to help you succeed.
Latham Hi-Tech Seeds Announces Gary Geske as Sales Agronomist
The Geske Family
Gary Geske’s career path has always revolved around farming. As a high school junior, he bought a half section from his great aunts and started farming. He even worked his college schedule around the farming seasons.
A passion for motors led Gary to enroll in the Diesel Mechanics program at North Dakota State College in Wahpeton, and he ran an engine rebuilding business out of the family’s farm shop.
“I enjoyed tearing motors and equipment apart to see how they work. Some of it even got put back together,” Gary says with a smile.
Gary left the family farming operation in 1990 to become a district sales manager for Keltgen Seed. When Dow bought Mycogen and began merging companies in 1995, Gary pursued an opportunity at a machinery dealership.
Two years later, Gary returned to the seed business. He managed research plots and scored hybrids until 2001 when he and a business partner started Quality Seed Genetics (QSG). In 2009, Gary decided to concentrate on the seed treater business.
Then, in 2011, he joined the Product Development Team at Latham Seeds.
Gary and his wife, Sandy live only a few miles from where both of their families farmed outside Enderlin, about 40 miles west of the Minnesota border just off Highway 46.
“Sandy and I had a chance to meet some of the Latham management team before I joined the company, and it was very evident then that the company revolves around teamwork,” Gary says. “I was impressed by the company’s access to the industry’s best genetics and technologies.”
With nearly 35 years of seed industry experience, Gary provides a wealth of knowledge on everything from products to seed treatments. As sales agronomist, he will continue to support Latham’s northern area in an agronomic capacity. He looks forward to focusing on product promotion throughout the growing season.
Whether it’s meeting with farmers to select the best hybrids for their operation or choosing hops for some homemade brew, Gary is sure to have a good time! He and Sandy value time spent with friends and family, including their three children: Kyle, Kayla and David.
Time spent with family and friends usually goes hand-in-hand with good meals. Today the Geskes are sharing a family favorite recipe for “special sauce” that’s perfect on grilled burgers.
Jay Lausen has lived in his childhood home all his life. He started farming in high school, first planting Latham® soybeans in 1990, and has continued to plant them ever since. When his parents, Dennis and Pauline, built a new house shortly after he graduated, Jay stayed on the family farm just outside Estherville, Iowa, and took on the operation.
Jay also took over his uncle’s Latham Seeds dealership when he retired, and he continued to sell the Latham soybeans both he and Uncle Ralph Lausen had grown to rely on over the years. Today Jay is 100% Latham, planting and selling both soybeans and corn.
“I was so accustomed to the quality of Latham soybeans and its yield,” Jay says. “I judged how other companies performed and Latham was just very high performing.”
A large seed company wooed Jay away for a few years, but he soon tired of “the big company attitude.” Even when he was selling that competitor’s seed, Jay was still planting Latham soybeans on his own farm.
He signed back on with Latham and has never looked back.
“The big guys cared more about the shareholder than they did about the customer,” Jay says. “Family values are what I want to represent. The seed industry is very competitive. It’s hard to set yourself apart, but Latham always has.”
Jay and his wife, Kohlene, have four children: Natalie, Elizabeth, Caleb and Megan. In their free time, they enjoy hiking, riding bicycles, spending time in Okoboji, Iowa and vacationing in the Western United States.
Their family always enjoys this recipe for Cheesy Potatoes — a classic in the Lausens’ home.
From Teen Mechanic to Trusted Dealer: Jed’s Journey
While many of his peers in high school were chasing girls, Jed Allen was chasing a business dream: J.W. Allen Small Engine Service, which he opened as a teenager on his grandfather’s farm near Chapin, Iowa. It was there that Jed began to earn a reputation for fixing machinery – specifically ATVs, snowmobiles and countless Honda ATC three-wheelers.
“Me and all my buddies had old, clunker snowmobiles,” Jed recalls. “We called ourselves ‘Jalopies.’” Today, his company is named after that notion: Jed’s Jalopy Joint – and it’s still located on the farm where it all started 30 years ago.
Jed says he has a long history “with wrenches and farming.” He grew up working with his grandfather farming row crops, baling hay and chopping silage. Jed also developed an interest in machinery repair and diesel engines, and his knack for fixing things took him to Hawkeye Community College after high school. He completed the two-year Ag Power Technology program, which focused on diesel engines, hydraulics, electronics, powertrains and transmissions.
He returned to the farm after graduation with plans to continue running his repair business. But the original tin-shed shop with a dirt floor had become too small for the expansion he had in mind. So, in true Jed fashion, he went to work remodeling an old corncrib/farrowing house on his grandfather’s farm. He made sure it was big enough for tractor repair, and so began the transition from small-engine repair to large-scale tractor and combine repair.
It was about the same time that Jed started selling seed under Allen Seed & Grain. Over the years, and having worked with several different seed companies, Jed says he’s seen “unbelievable changes.” He has been a Latham® Dealer since 2014.
“Latham has by far been my favorite,” he says. “They are local and independent, and their superior products rose to the top for me.”
At the company’s 2024 Dealer Kickoff event, President John Latham presented Jed with an award for his 10 years of service.
“Jed is all about customer service,” John says. “He has a genuine commitment to helping farmers succeed. We’re grateful to have him on our team.”
Jed and his wife, Candie, have three boys: Cyrus, Clyde and Colby. All are active in 4-H and county fair projects. Like their dad, they enjoy resurrecting old farm equipment and going to antique tractor shows.
Getting everyone in the kitchen for pizza is another Allen family favorite. This hands-on recipe has something for everyone.
A Sunny Disposition Is Key to This Family’s Happy Heart
Celebrating 35 years with Latham Seeds!
Sunnyside Farms of Mountain Lake, Minn. was named for the thousands of laying hens that helped diversify the Stoesz family’s farming operation from 1976 through 2002. It also aptly describes the disposition of fourth-generation farmers Jerome and Marilyn Stoesz.
“I was 10 years old when my parents built the first chicken barn for 12,000 hens,” says Jerome, who knew he wanted to farm from the time he was a young boy. “The second barn went up in 1976, and we added more chickens in 1980.”
Jerome became a Latham® dealer in 1989 – and was recently recognized at Latham’s Dealer Kickoff for his 35 loyal years of service!
He credits egg sales for diversifying his family’s farming operation and providing additional income during a key time. By applying chicken manure, they saved significantly on fertilizer costs. They were not overextended in the 1980s when the Farm Crisis hit, so Jerome was able to start farming during a time when many of his peers were seeking off-farm income.
Marilyn used to ride her bike past Jerome’s home, but she did not make that connection until mutual friends introduced the couple. They married in 1984 and raised theirthree children on the Stoesz farm that was homesteaded in 1896.
Their beautiful farmhouse was built in 1897 and is framed by many lovely blooms. Flowers are Marilyn’s passion, and she enjoys making floral arrangements for weddings and other events. Her spare time is divided between grandparenting and volunteering at numerous places, including a horse ministry called Ride by Faith.
Today Jerome and Marilyn raise corn and soybeans with their son, Jordan, who is happy to put his training in diesel mechanics to work full time at Sunnyside Farms. Jordan and Jerome spend the winter months in their shop, fixing damaged Rangers and RZRs and then selling them. Jordan’s wife, Emily, works at a local bank and brings homecooked meals to the field during busy seasons.
Jordan, his sister Angela, and her husband, Mike, are all members of the Butterfield Volunteer Fire Department. A third Stoesz sibling, Hannah, passed away in 2017 in an accident.
The Stoesz family enjoys relaxing together at a nearby campground throughout the summer. Three campers are parked side-by-side, making it more convenient for the families to share meals and campfires. Jerome and Marilyn have three granddaughters: Addyson, Makiah and Olivia.
This “grown-up version” of baked beans is reminiscent of cowboy campfire beans. It is a perfect complement to grilled burgers or bratwurst.
Baked Beans Supreme
Ingredients:
1 – 28 oz can Bush’s Original Baked Beans
2 – 28 oz cans Bush’s Onion Baked Beans
1-1/2 pounds ground beef, browned and drained
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 stick butter
1-1/2 cup Famous Dave’s Rich & Sassy BBQ sauce
1 teaspoon pepper
Dried onion to cover the top
Pinch of garlic powder
1/2 pound bacon, friend and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 package of polish sausage
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a 6-quart crockpot. Cook all day on LOW, or on HIGH fr 2.5 – 3 hours.
As we celebrate National Farmer’s Market Week, it’s essential to recognize the vital role these markets play in connecting consumers directly to the farmers who grow their food. At Latham Seeds, we’re committed to supporting these connections, ensuring that the bond between farmers and consumers remains strong across the Midwest.
One shining example of this connection is Twisted River Farm, a three-acre market farm in Mitchell, Iowa, owned by Steve Strasheim.
Twisted River Farm is more than just a place where fresh produce is grown; it’s a hub of local agriculture. Offering a variety of vegetables, herbs and flowers nearly year-round, Twisted River Farm brings the best of Iowa’s bounty to local businesses, through their CSA program and directly to consumers through their newly opened on-farm store. Here, customers can experience the freshest produce, knowing it was grown just a few steps away.
Latham Seeds is proud to support farmers like Steve Strasheim, who are dedicated to providing fresh, locally-grown food to their communities. By helping to strengthen the connection between consumers and farmers, we’re fulfilling our mission to keep rural communities strong and vibrant.
Don’t let National Famer’s Market Week be the only reason to explore local markets, visit farms like Twisted River Farm and see firsthand the impact of supporting local agriculture. Check out sources like Choose Iowa to find local food and farms in your own community.
Together, we can continue to build a strong, sustainable future for our rural communities.
Here’s a recipe that’s right from Twisted River Farm’s own cookbook: Try it on burgers, nachos, tacos or tacos. It’s delicious served over cream cheese and served on a cracker.
Cowboy Candy
1 pound jalapenos
2/3 C apple cider vinegar
2 C sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp turmeric
½ tsp cayenne pepper
Mix all ingredients, except for the jalapenos, in a pot. Bring to a boil.
While that is coming to a boil, slice or dice the jalapenos.
Add jalapenos to syrup in the pot and bring back to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 5 minutes.
Use a slotted spoon to scoop out the jalapenos and put into a clean mason jar(s).
Fill jars with syrup mixture and then put a lid on and put in the refrigerator. NOTE: you can fill a jar with any remaining syrup and use it as a marinade or topping for meats and vegetables.
With Strong Faith and Sharp Focus, Wilkie Found Her Way
We have been so fortunate to have Maycee Wilkie as a marketing intern this summer! Even if you didn’t have a chance to meet her in person, her fingerprints have been everywhere behind the scenes — because she has done a lot for our team.
Maycee, you see, is the definition of resiliency. It goes beyond her inherent marketing skills and maturity as a senior at Iowa State University. It goes beyond her poise and ability to help navigate swift changes at Latham Seeds this summer. It also goes beyond her positive nature — even when stress bears down.
Maycee and her mom, Colleen
For Maycee, resiliency started when she was just six years old and lost her mom to cancer. She and her dad, Mark Wilkie, helped each other move on together. Her dad always told Maycee she was “destined for greatness.” We couldn’t agree more.
Maycee grew up in the small town of Springbrook, Wisconsin. She grew fond of agriculture — mostly because her dad dreamed of being a farmer. Although they never had a big farm, Maycee remembers “the perfect hobby farm” with a cow, chickens, pheasants, hogs and turkeys.
“Who needs an alarm clock when you have a cow mooing and rooster crowing?” she recalls fondly.
Six years after her mom passed away, Maycee’s dad started showing symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This nervous system disease affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Mark’s symptoms first appeared in 2016 and was officially diagnosed in 2018. At 11 years old, Maycee stepped into the role of her dad’s primary caregiver. She recalls balancing middle school with the responsibilities at home assisting Mark with tasks like lifting him from his chair or bed, managing his medications and feeding him.
Mark and Maycee
She remembers being able to rely on her dad for help even when he was sick. At the same time, he prepared her for a future without him.
“I would do math homework and would get confused about how to do an equation,” Maycee says. “Instead of showing me how to do it right away, he let me “struggle” for a bit while I tried to figure it out on my own. I did end up figuring out how to do the equation on my own.”
By the summer of 2018, her dad was almost fully paralyzed and could hardly speak. An aunt stepped in and brought Maycee to Clear Lake, Iowa. Together with grandparents, aunts and uncle it was decided to move Mark into a nursing home to transition Maycee from being a caregiver to live high school as a teenager and not a caregiver.
Maycee started her freshman year of high school in Clear Lake where she was the “new girl.” She quickly made her mark by getting involved in activities including choir, band, Spanish, Model-UN, tennis, cross country, speech and theatre. Maycee was also very active in FFA having served in three officer positions and being a member of the Clear Lake FFA Vet Science Team that placed first in the state.
She also stayed active in her church, and she leaned into her faith when her dad passed away in January 2019.
“My dad and family always taught me to lean into God and His love,” Maycee says. “Even when everything feels like it isn’t going to be okay, it will all turn out just how it is supposed to.”
Today Maycee is a public relations major at Iowa State University (ISU) with a minor in event management. The memory of herself as a middle school student who wasn’t sure if she’d even get to high school — much less college — is not lost on her.
She continues to lean into God, just like her dad and family taught her.
“God gave me a challenging story to juggle, but I think that is what is beautiful about the journey called life,” Maycee says. “My faith is what sustains me on the hard days and what motivates me on the good days.”
Wilkie family at Maycee’s high school graduation
At Iowa State, Maycee has found strength in her faith through her involvement with the college ministry, SALT company. This has helped her deepen her relationship with the Lord and remain in fellowship with other sons and daughters of Christ. A guiding light for Maycee and her family has always been the Bible verse, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Upon graduation, Maycee wants to work where she can advocate for those affected by ALS. When she’s not in school or working on campus, she enjoys watching sports, dog sitting, reading, playing pickleball, as well as spending time with friends and family.
Speaking of family, Maycee is sharing with us one a recipe for Swedish meatballs. Maycee’s Farmor (father’s mother in Swedish) always made Swedish meatballs for special holidays.
Heat ½ of the olive oil in a large, high-walled skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onions and garlic. Soften for 5 minutes. Set aside and let cool.
In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, whisked egg, milk, cooled onions/garlic, salt, oregano, allspice, nutmeg, and pepper. Gently incorporate the meat until evenly combined, but without overworking it (otherwise the meatballs will be tough instead of tender).
Roll into 1 ½-inch meatballs and place on a plate. (A small cookie scoop makes it easier to roll balls of uniform size.) Transfer to the fridge and let them chill for 15 minutes, or up to overnight. Cover if chilling overnight.
While the meatballs chill, combine the beef broth, chicken bouillon, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon, and parsley in a large measuring cup with a spout. Set aside.
Heat remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Brown the meatballs in batches, leave plenty of room around each so that you can easily rotate them with a spoon to brown on all sides. Brown for about 1 minute per side. Remove and set aside. Add additional oil and/or decrease heat slightly as needed throughout cooking.
Melt the butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Use a silicone spatula to “clean” the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring continuously, until it begins to brown.
Add the beef broth mixture in small splashes, stirring continuously. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
Place the sour cream in a medium bowl. Spoon some of the sauce into the bowl (about ¼ cup), and stir until well-combined. Stir it into the sauce over low heat until incorporated.
Add the meatballs back to the skillet along with any juices from the plate. Spoon the sauce on top. Allow them to heat through over low heat for 10-15 minutes (or until cooked through), partially covered. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
Twisted River Farm is more than just a place where fresh produce is grown; it’s a hub of local agriculture. Offering a variety of vegetables, herbs and flowers nearly year-round, Twisted River Farm brings the best of Iowa’s bounty to local businesses, through their CSA program and directly to consumers through their newly opened on-farm store. Here, customers can experience the freshest produce, knowing it was grown just a few steps away.
