Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Schminke Family “Goes the Distance” to Support Childhood Cancer

Many Midwest farmers will be harvesting crops on Oct. 10, 2021, but Kyle and Sarah Schminke of Shellsburg, Iowa, will be running in the 43^rdChicago Marathon. Their goal is to raise awareness about childhood cancer, as well as money for the University of Iowa Dance Marathon. Training is already underway for this father-daughter team, and we’re inviting you to cheer on this Eastern Iowa Latham® dealer.

The Schminke Family

“I knew I wanted to get involved on campus, and I had seen some of my older friends post about the University of Iowa Dance Marathon,” says Sarah, who will begin her junior year this fall at the University of Iowa, majoring in Communications Studies with a minor in Rhetoric and Persuasion. She also is earning an event management certificate.

While many people wouldn’t look forward to running a marathon let alone paying a $1,250 entry fee to serve as a charity runner, the Schminkes are looking forward to running this together.

“It’s important to Sarah, so it’s important to me,” says Kyle, who farms with Sarah at his side. His wife, Kyla, works at the local family practice clinic in Shellsburg. His oldest daughter, Dawne, works for UnityPoint pediatrics as a patient service representative.

“Older people are sometimes critical of the younger generation, but just look at the passion the students like Sarah have for Dance Marathon!” adds Kyle. “When you do selfless acts, you feel better. It motivates you. Sarah understands she has a pretty good life, and we should be thankful for what we have. I’m so impressed by the selflessness, and I’m so excited for Sarah to be doing this.”

This father-daughter team has a goal of finishing the race and raising awareness. They’re confident they can, and they will! Kyle completed Iron Man competitions in 2015 and 2016. Sarah ran track and cross country but tore her ACL during her senior year of high school. She wears a brace when she runs, but she isn’t complaining because many people have it so much worse.

Kyle and Sarah are training for the Chicago Marathon. Their goal is to raise awareness about childhood cancer, as well as money for the University of Iowa Dance Marathon.

“I’m not running for me. This is for those kids,” says Sarah. “I don’t care about how much pain I’m in. I’m running for the kids who can’t.”

Kyle and Sarah will be running with a list of 26 names on their arms of children for whom they are running. These are called their “mile motivators.” Sarah knows looking down at the names on her arm will be the motivation she needs to keep running and finish strong.

University of Iowa Dance Marathon

Sarah during The Big Event in February 2020.

The University of Iowa Dance Marathon (UIDM) is the university’s largest student-run organization and the third largest Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon of more than 300 such organizations across the United States. It is a year-long endeavor that includes monthly events, including events for families with children fighting childhood cancer, fundraising events and dancer events. Everything leads up to The Big Event, which is held annually in February.

During The Big Event, students raise money by dancing for 24 straight hours. Dance Marathon families share inspiring stories about children who have battled cancer and won, explains Sarah. Kids who lost their courageous battle are remembered Dancing in Our Hearts.

“During The Big Event my freshman year, I remember texting my mom, ‘My feet hurt so bad. Why am I doing this?’ My mom replied, ‘You only have 24 hours of pain, but those kids may have a lifetime of pain. There is a reason to everything you’re doing.’ That’s the motivation I needed to keep going that night and to remain involved in this event. I want to do what I can to help families affected by childhood cancer.”

The 2021 Big Event, which was held virtually, raised $1.4 million for kids and families. While that is certainly a sizable amount of money, it is much lower than the amount the University of Iowa Dance Marathon has raised annually in recent years. The UIDM raised $2 million in 2015 and $3 million in 2018.

Sarah during The Big Event in February 2021.

The UIDM has pledged $5 million to the 11^th floor of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital that was named the University of Iowa Dance Marathon Pediatric Cancer Center. (The 11^th floor is the one that gets “the wave” during University of Iowa home football games.) This student-run organization also has pledged $2 million to establish the University of Iowa Dance Marathon Chair in Pediatric Oncology, Clinical and translational Research. In addition, UIDM gives $5,000 to each family who loses a child to cancer to help cover funeral expenses.

“The more I learned about Dance Marathon, the more I fell in love with this organization,” says Sarah, who raised more than $500 as a dancer during her first event in 2020. She served on the Public Relations Committee for the 2021 year and raised more than $4,000. Sarah was selected to serve as Director of Public Relations for the 2022 Big Event. Her goal is to raise more than $4,000 again this year.

We will be sharing updates from Sarah and Kyle’s marathon training journey. If you would like to help contribute to their fundraising efforts, here’s a link to Sarah’s donation page for The Big Event.

Chart of UIDM donation distribution.

Today Sarah is sharing with us her favorite recipe for Monster Energy Balls, which provide quick energy or help her refuel after a workout. #DYK chocolate milk is another great way to refuel after a workout? Chocolate milk has twice the carbohydrates and protein content as white milk, water and other sports drinks? Plus, high water content of chocolate milk helps prevent dehydration. Go ahead and raise a glass in salute of America’s dairy producers during June Dairy Month!

This recipe also sounds perfect for busy farm families, as well as for kids who need some extra protein before summer activities.

shannonlatham

June 18, 2021

Dairy, Desserts, Food & Family, Recipes, Season, Sides, Summer
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Tips for Celebrating June Dairy Month at Home and on the Road

They say if March comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb. What do they say when the first 11 days of June brings daily temperatures that are nearly 20 degrees hotter than the average? We say, “Hit the road!”

In celebration of June Dairy Month, Val Plagge and her family take weekly Iowa Ice Cream Road Trips.

“I am an ice cream lover. When I was in high school, my family would make an annual trip to the Whippy Dip in Decorah, Iowa,” says Val Plagge, who farms with her husband, Ian, near Latimer in North Iowa. She also blogs at Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids. “The Whippy Dip started my love for small town, ice cream shops. I had an idea to discover more great local ice cream shops during June Dairy Month, and it’s been an annual tradition for me and Ian since 2014. Now our four kids have fun traveling across the state and visiting new places.”

The Plagge family at Casa Chameleon in Belmond, Iowa.

The Plagge family chooses what ice cream shops to visit based on recommendations from blogs and social media followers.

“We have a running list of more than 50 places we want to try,” says Val. “Each week we look at our family’s schedule and decide which day will be ‘ice cream day.’ Then we pick our destination based on the amount of time we have available to travel.”

An ice cream treat at Casa Chameleon in Belmond, Iowa.

They kicked off their 2021 Ice Cream Road Trip with a stop that is close to their home, as well as close to the home of Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds. Casa Chameleon, LLC in Belmond, Iowa, is a seasonal ice cream shop and pizza place.

“The kids loved the combo, and we all wondered why we hadn’t come over for pizza and ice cream before!” says Val. “Casa Chameleon is known for having a big variety of ice cream flavors. When we went, they had 45 to choose from! Watching them make the ice cream was just as much of a treat as eating the ice cream. They take vanilla soft serve ice cream, mix in your flavor preference and then they put the mixture into another part of the machine to twist out and serve. We loved all their unique flavors including German Chocolate and Tutti Frutti.”

The Plagges visit a different ice cream shop each week during the month of June. Then on the first of July every year, Val updates her Ice Cream Road Trip blog post. Her post coincides with the start of National Ice Cream Month.

There are so many reasons to celebrate all summer long! Today Val is sharing with us her recipe for homemade ice cream. In addition, I’m sharing links for two of my favorite ice cream toppings: Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce and Strawberry Ice Cream Topping.

shannonlatham

June 11, 2021

Dairy, Desserts, Food & Family, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Tips for Stressing Less and Entertaining More

What do you do when company unexpectedly arrives? Scott and Cindy Rasmussen of Burt, Iowa, keep food on hand that can be fixed quickly, which makes entertaining fun and easy. Now that their three children have families of their own, their freezer and pantry are filled with treats and snacks their grandkids also will enjoy.

“Our approach is to keep it simple. We prep food ahead of time, so we can enjoy more time with our friends and family when they arrive,” says Cindy, who works part-time off the farm for an attorney and also helps with field work during the spring and fall.

The Rasmussen Family

Scott, the other half of this husband-wife team, shares one of their entertaining secrets. Ziploc® freezer bags filled with Rye Bread Appetizers and Party Pretzels are a quick fix when company arrives. It’s a trick they used as their kids were growing up, and it’s still their secret weapon now that they have eight grandchildren.

“All of our kids were very active in high school with sports and extracurricular activities like 4-H,” says Scott, who served as 4-H club leader for 11 years and coached their AAU basketball teams. Cindy was a Sunday School teacher and Scott served as a trustee. They both served as T-ball coaches when their kids were young.

Adds Cindy, “It took some planning, especially during spring and fall, but we really wanted our kids to experience life outside of farming, choose their own paths, and earn a four-year degree. Now our kids help us farm during the busy seasons.”

The Rasmussen’s oldest son, Noah, graduated from Algona High School in 2000. Upon earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University (ISU), he began working for John Deere in Urbandale. He and his wife, Rachel, live with their three daughters near Cambridge. Noah helps his parents stay informed about advanced technology and has been known to pull an all-nighter to help on the farm in the fall. Rachel graduated from ISU with a master’s in public administration and works in human relations.

The Rasmussen’s second son, Drew, graduated from high school in 2005. He earned a degree in Industrial Systems Technology (Ag Systems Technology) with a minor in safety from ISU and works for AGP as a compliance officer. Drew farms with his parents and looks forward to farming on his own someday. Drew and his wife, Sierra, built a home on the farm place where Scott was raised. Scott’s parents also live on the homeplace, so Drew and Sierra help them as needed. The couple has twins (a boy and a girl), and Sierra also works for the Farm Service Agency.

The Rasmussen’s daughter, Chelsie, graduated from high school in 2007. She earned a degree in psychology from the University of Iowa. She and her husband, Tom, purchased an acreage that was homesteaded in 1877 by Scott’s family. Their acreage is located between Drew and Sierra’s home and Scott and Cindy’s home, so they all live within three miles of each other. Chelsie works as a physical therapist assistant in Algona, and the couple has two daughters and a son.

“There is so much family history here, and we feel blessed that our children are committed to preserving it,” says Cindy. “It is wonderful to have everyone close by. It makes it easier for them to help on the farm as their schedules allow. Tom is not only our insurance agent, but he has taken over many tasks. Like Drew, Tom helps us work ground, pick up rocks, and runs the grain cart in the fall. Their help has allowed me to spend more time with grandchildren.”

When their children were growing up, the Rasmussens had a farrow-to-finish operation in addition to their cropping operation. When hog prices went to $8 in 2000, Scott was determined to find a way to make up for lost income. He worked at Aluma Trailers in Bancroft around his farming schedule. After a year of working at Aluma, Scott’s dad retired from farming. Scott continued working part-time and farmed additional acres. Then in 2008, he converted the barn into a heated shop where he enjoys maintaining his line of farm equipment and woodworking especially during the winter months.

Surround Yourself with Good People

“I really enjoyed working at Aluma and my boss was really good to me,” says Scott. “He was one person who really helped make a difference. Cindy and I have really been blessed by the people who have helped us along the way.”

Other people who made a difference for Scott and Cindy are the farm manager of the Stockwell Memorial Farm, who helped them start farming on their own; an elderly neighbor who chose Scott to farm his land when he decided to retire; and Bill and Linda Latham who chose Scott to farm their land near Burt, Iowa.

“As we have gotten older, we reflect on the people who made a difference in our life. Bill and Linda Latham are two of those people. We could feel Bill’s passion for his work, his family and the seed industry. Of course, behind every good man is a great woman!” says Scott.

“I would also like to express my total appreciation for all the little things that Latham Seeds does for its customers and dealers,” adds Scott. “Latham goes above and beyond, that is what sets this company apart from the others. I always get an answer from a real person, so I’m not caught in a telephone nightmare or waiting on hold. To all the Latham family and employees, thank you!”

“We’ve learned to surround ourselves with good people, and that’s one of the reasons we enjoy working with Latham Seeds,” says Scott. “The company is filled with good people. I know that I can call the office and be connected to someone who has the answer to my question. I really enjoy Latham’s personal service, plus Latham® products really perform well.”

During the growing season, the Rasmussens enjoy making time for fishing, boating and attending their grandchildren’s activities. The couple also enjoys antiquing, refinishing and repurposing furniture in their leisure. They turned a cabinet into a buffet to camouflage a dorm-sized refrigerator. They also put locking wheels on an island in their kitchen, which readily extends their kitchen counter space if they want to set up a buffet line. Both items make entertaining easy.

Today the Rasmussens are sharing a family-favorite Taco Dip recipe to help you spend less time in the kitchen and more time socializing with friends and family. Or freeze Party Pretzels, so you can grab a bag to take in the tractor cab or the fishing boat.

shannonlatham

June 2, 2021

Appetizers, Dairy, Food & Family, Recipes, Season, Summer
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Spring Calves, Summer Camping & Milestone Celebrations

Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. Now that their four daughters have finished school for the academic year, Tyler and Michelle Sandven are kicking into high gear to make time for their favorite activities including grilling, camping and riding motorcycles.

Oldest daughters, Sydnie and Rylie, are members of 4-H and FFA. They enjoy showing cattle and riding horses. In addition, they have summer jobs at the fitness center. Syndie is a 2021 graduate of Humboldt High School. She plans to attend Iowa Central Community College to become a medical assistant. Rylie will be a junior in high school. Twins Kylan and Kynlie will turn 10 years old at the end of this month.

The Sandven Family

“It takes a lot of energy to keep up with four active girls! I lost 30 pounds and gained my energy and health back with the Yoli® program. After my success with the all-natural system, I became a health coach in 2018,” says Michelle, who is a licensed cosmetologist and works two days a week at the American Barbershop in Humboldt.

The Sandvens also farm.

“We feel fortunate to raise our family where they’re sure to develop a good work ethic,” says Tyler. “Our girls really enjoy the animals and helping with chores. When they were younger, they enjoyed riding in the cab of the tractor while the cattle are being fed. They also like helping bottle feed the calves.”

Having a family who shares his love of agriculture makes this Iowa farmer proud.

“Farming is all I ever wanted to do,” says Tyler, who was raised on a diversified farm in Humboldt County. After graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in Ag Business, he was eager to return to the family’s farming operation.

Together with his dad and his brother, Tyler raises cow-calf pairs and has a feeder-to-finish cattle operation. The family also raises horses, which his father especially enjoys riding. Tyler, on the other hand, prefers to ride something with a motor. “Hanging loose in Hawaii” by riding a Harley across Maui during a Latham Seeds’ dealer trip is one of Tyler and Michelle’s favorite memories.

“I like working with a family-owned seed business whose owners share a lot of our same values,” says Tyler, who has been a Latham® dealer since 2007. He appreciates having a solid lineup to sell of corn, soybeans and alfalfa. He encourages farmers to plant a minimum of three different Latham brand corn or soybean products with a mixture of offensive and defensive traits. He also recommends mixing maturities to further reduce risk.

Tyler and Michelle also look forward to attending Latham Dealer meetings throughout the summer and into the fall. Another annual event they look forward to is Latham’s tailgate at an Iowa State football game. The Sandvens enjoy cheering on the Cyclones every chance they get!

In celebration of summer growing season and May Beef Month, today the Sandven family is sharing with us one of their favorite recipes for garlic steak bites. This recipe can be served as an appetizer or paired with side dishes to become a meal.

shannonlatham

May 28, 2021

Appetizers, Beef, Food & Family, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Spring Calves, Summer Camping & Milestone Celebrations

Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. Now that their four daughters have finished school for the academic year, Tyler and Michelle Sandven are kicking into high gear to make time for their favorite activities including grilling, camping and riding motorcycles.

Oldest daughters, Sydnie and Rylie, are members of 4-H and FFA. They enjoy showing cattle and riding horses. In addition, they have summer jobs at the fitness center. Syndie is a 2021 graduate of Humboldt High School. She plans to attend Iowa Central Community College to become a medical assistant. Rylie will be a junior in high school. Twins Kylan and Kynlie will turn 10 years old at the end of this month.

The Sandven Family

“It takes a lot of energy to keep up with four active girls! I lost 30 pounds and gained my energy and health back with the Yoli® program. After my success with the all-natural system, I became a health coach in 2018,” says Michelle, who is a licensed cosmetologist and works two days a week at the American Barbershop in Humboldt.

The Sandvens also farm.

“We feel fortunate to raise our family where they’re sure to develop a good work ethic,” says Tyler. “Our girls really enjoy the animals and helping with chores. When they were younger, they enjoyed riding in the cab of the tractor while the cattle are being fed. They also like helping bottle feed the calves.”

Having a family who shares his love of agriculture makes this Iowa farmer proud.

“Farming is all I ever wanted to do,” says Tyler, who was raised on a diversified farm in Humboldt County. After graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in Ag Business, he was eager to return to the family’s farming operation.

Together with his dad and his brother, Tyler raises cow-calf pairs and has a feeder-to-finish cattle operation. The family also raises horses, which his father especially enjoys riding. Tyler, on the other hand, prefers to ride something with a motor. “Hanging loose in Hawaii” by riding a Harley across Maui during a Latham Seeds’ dealer trip is one of Tyler and Michelle’s favorite memories.

“I like working with a family-owned seed business whose owners share a lot of our same values,” says Tyler, who has been a Latham® dealer since 2007. He appreciates having a solid lineup to sell of corn, soybeans and alfalfa. He encourages farmers to plant a minimum of three different Latham brand corn or soybean products with a mixture of offensive and defensive traits. He also recommends mixing maturities to further reduce risk.

Tyler and Michelle also look forward to attending Latham Dealer meetings throughout the summer and into the fall. Another annual event they look forward to is Latham’s tailgate at an Iowa State football game. The Sandvens enjoy cheering on the Cyclones every chance they get!

In celebration of summer growing season and May Beef Month, today the Sandven family is sharing with us one of their favorite recipes for garlic steak bites. This recipe can be served as an appetizer or paired with side dishes to become a meal.

May 28, 2021

Appetizers, Beef, Food & Family, Recipes, Sides

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

4-H Beef Project Teaches Life-Long Lessons

Jon Suntken and Tami Pralle’s shared passion for 4-H brought them together in 1979 when they were selected to serve on the Franklin County 4-H Council. They have made their home on the Suntken’s Iowa Century Farm for 36 years.

“All of our children began showing bucket calves at the Franklin County Fair when they turned five, and someone from our family showed bucket calves for 17 consecutive years,” says Tami. “This helped our kids develop a passion for showing and judging livestock.”

The 2021 Franklin County Fair will mark the first time in 27 years that the Suntken family will not be showing cattle at the fair. However, their years showing cattle provided them with life-long memories and taught them important life lessons.

“4-H has taught our children lessons and provided them with many experiences that are important in life: work ethic, responsibility, how to start and finish projects, character development, meeting new people, public speaking, helping others and developing new friendships.”

The Suntken’s oldest daughter, Katelyn, served as both Franklin County beef princess in 2007 and beef queen in 2008. She and her husband, Ryan Borcherding, live in Reading, Pennsylvania, with their four-year-old daughter. Katelyn is a stay-at-home mom, and Ryan works for Deere & Company as a regional manager. The Suntken’s oldest son, Kellen, interned with Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds in the early years of our precision ag program. Kellen graduated from Iowa State University. He serves as Plant Operations Lead for Syngenta Seeds in Lone Tree, Iowa. He also remains active in the family’s farming operation. Their son Kendrick played linebacker for the University of Northern Iowa and now farms with his dad. Kenrick also is a chemical rep for Innvictis Crop Care and Biodyne USA. Kirsten just finished her freshman year at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in Ankeny where she is majoring in Ag Business. This summer is serving as a precision ag intern with Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds.

Kirsten Beef Queen — “Serving as Franklin County Beef Queen was an honor. I loved representing an industry that I am passionate about,” says Kirsten Suntken. “One highlight as Beef Queen was being part of a new cattle show in August called the North Iowa Cattle Battle. Although my time as queen wasn’t what I was expecting due to Covid-19, I learned a lot through these times. I also learned to never take anything for granted.”

Steer[1] — “It was an honor to be selected for the Governor’s Charity Steer Show and to raise money for a good cause,” says Kendrick Suntken. “It was also rewarding to help clean up the Ronald McDonald House in Des Moines.”

294124 1857037996753 7234755 n — Kellen and Kendrick Suntken had the honor of being part of the team that placed second in the 2011 Iowa State Fair 4-H livestock judging competition. From left to right are former Franklin County 4-H members: Kellen Suntken, Joe DeVries, Kendrick Suntken, and Drew Abbas. Kendrick also was the first place individual in that competition. During his career, he also placed third overall in the state FFA competition and earned High Individual at the ISU Spring Extravaganza. Kellen placed second in the individual competition for 4-H in 2011. He also was a member of the Iowa State University Livestock judging team when he was in college.

The Sunkten’s diversified farming operation includes corn and soybeans plus a cow-calf herd and a custom hog finishing operation. Jon started farming full-time in 1979 and also worked 12 winters at Latham Seeds. He has been a contract Latham® soybean grower for 42 years. Tami works full time as a program technician at the Wright County Farm Service Agency.

Today Tami is sharing a recipe for grape salad with an Irish twist. Kirsten is promoting Iowa beef during Beef Month by sharing with us one of her favorite recipes for pot roast in a crock pot.

Grape Salad with an Irish Twist

Ingredients

8-ounces of Philadelphia® cream cheese (softened)
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup Bailey’s Irish Cream
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 to 3 pounds of large, red, seedless grapes

Directions

Wash grapes.
Cream cheese and sugars, then add other ingredients and mix all together.
Gently fold grapes into creamed mixture.

shannonlatham

May 21, 2021

Beef, Food & Family, Recipes, Salads, Season, Sides, Spring

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Cinnamon Ridge Dairy Gives Farm Guests a Seat at the Table

When people eat, they want to feel connected to their food.

This simple premise is what prompted fifth-generation, Iowa farmer John Maxwell to open the doors to Cinnamon Ridge Dairy. He began offering farm tours in 1997 when John Deere heard he had won the National Outstanding Young Farmer Award.

“I’m not afraid to take a risk,” said Maxwell in a 2013 Agri-View article, who took a risk by opening his working farm to the Deere tours. He expanded from there, providing educational tours as requested for guests hosted by other agribusinesses. He also since branched out by working with foreign tour and travel companies, including American Queen River boats and Viking River Boats.

John and Joan Maxwell with their grandson during a farm visit in March 2021. Photo credit to Darcy Maulsby.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Scott County, the farm’s proximity to the Mississippi River provides a convenient location for many tour groups. John and Joan Maxwell are gracious tour guides with a great story to tell. Their modern farm is committed to sustainability, and its picturesque landscape is second to none.

“The Mississippi River used to flow a mile north of here,” explained John during my recent visit to his beautiful farm. “The glacier choked off the river and crested the ridge. I named my farm for this ridge and the cinnamon-colored cows we raise.”

Award-Winning Jerseys

The Maxwells milk on average 220 purebred, registered Jerseys using four Lely robotic milkers. John’s daughter, Amy Maxwell, began managing the family’s dairy operation in 2011 after she graduated from Iowa State University. Through the years, Amy has developed other production and genetic leaders that have earned several awards including the 2018 Hilmar Cheese Yield Trophy, 2018 President’s Trophy and the 2011 National Jersey Youth Production Contest.

One way the Maxwells easily track lineage is by using a unique nomenclature to denote a family of cows. For example, “Cheddar” is from the cheese family. She is one of Cinnamon Ridge’s top cows based off of DHIA records. Offspring in her family have names like Brie and Gouda.

Amy purchased her first heifer at age 9 from the Pot O’Gold Sale. Numerous descendants from that heifer remain in the herd today, including Cinnamon Nitro Noble-ET, Excellent-90% (a.k.a. “Noble”) who set the nation’s top 305-day milk record for 2020. Also in 2020, Cinnamon Ridge Dairy was named the nation’s top herd for milk and protein production on both an actual and m.e. basis for the second consecutive year. Due to their high-quality milk and their success in the show ring, older cows from Cinnamon Ridge Dairy are sold for their genetics.

A calf lounges at Cinnamon Ridge Dairy.

Farm guests can get a picture of success. An upper-level conference room featuring large picture windows overlooks the free-stall barn, so farm guests have a bird’s eye view of contented cows. Cows can choose to have their back scratched by Luna brushes, get milked, or lounge around on beds of soft sand.

“We like to see one-third of our cows eating, one-third standing and one-third lounging,” explains Joan Maxwell, who married John in 2013. An RFID tag on each cow’s neck records milk output, as well as temperature and 122 data points, which Amy studies to monitor herd health.

Farm-to-Table Meals and Market

When he saw farm visitors peering inside his kitchen windows, John decided to start offering farm-to-table meals in addition to barn and farm tours. Guests dine on farm-raised foods like steaks, grilled pork chops, burgers and shredded beef, as well as homemade bread and baked goods.

Providing homecooked meals for bus tours of 50 people takes a lot of time. John wants to create a family atmosphere, as well as practice sustainability, so he serves guests using real plates and silverware. To provide this high level of service, he hired part-time help to prepare and serve the meal. These ladies also bake the delectable, signature cinnamon rolls that sell out as quickly as they hit the on-farm store’s shelves. Fresh baked rolls, cookies, bars and quick breads are stocked at Cinnamon Ridge Dairy’s roadside stand by 6 P.M. on Thursdays.

This retail store, aptly named the Country Cupboard, opened in 2007 because farm visitors were interested in purchasing products after they toured the barn and farm. This self-serve store sells a variety of products from Cinnamon Ridge Farms: eggs, beef, pork, artisan cheese, cheese curds, meat sticks, canned jellies, local honey, and homemade baked goods.

Providing guests with a wonderful experience is top priority for John and Joan. They know the food they serve and sell, the appearance of their farm, and their hospitality all factor into a great customer experience. Handouts and dairy recipes are available inside the dairy barn and conference room.

Today I’m sharing with you one of those recipes for Unicorn Smoothies, which was named by their four-year-old granddaughter, Aubrey. Because Cinnamon Ridge produces artisan cheese and meats on their farm, we’re also providing this link to a feature story by Iowa Food & Family Project with tips for creating craveable cheese boards.

shannonlatham

May 14, 2021

Dairy, Desserts, Food & Family, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Raising Cattle, Building Character

When Melissa (Bisbee) Moretz was 5 years old, she went into business with her brother and sister. Their father purchased a few ewes for them to raise. They were in charge of feeding and lambing them. As they grew older, they accepted more responsibility, including the finances.

“This is where my farming background began. It was an effort made by my parents to help my siblings and I save money for college, but it developed into much more. As we grew older and became 4-H members, we decided to sell the sheep and get into cattle and swine,” says Melissa, who served as a high school ag instructor and FFA advisor before becoming a senior portfolio manager in 2017 at a local bank. “I showed breeding beef at the county fair along with market swine at the county and state fair. I farrowed swine for my Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program in FFA. I participated in many career development events (CDE), met many people, served as a chapter officer for two years, and learned what hard work really was.”

The Moretz Family

With so many life lessons learned, it’s no wonder that Melissa and her husband, Nate, desire to raise their family on a farm. She says she loves coming home from work and taking their children to the barn.

“Raising our children on a livestock and grain farm has already begun to instill a strong work ethic within both of them,” says Melissa. “Having livestock gives my children an opportunity to learn about the circle of life at a very young age. They have also learned how to care for any bucket bottle calf that ends up on our farm, and they get so comfortable with them that they are more pets than cattle by the time they are weaned from the bottle.”

The Moretz’s two-year-old daughter enjoys chasing her brother around the farm and checking on the family’s calves.

Their five-year-old son is in preschool. He loves to farm any chance he gets. His two favorite things about the farm are spring calving season and riding in the planter or combine with his papa (Nate’s father).

“This year for Kole’s class show-and-tell, we were able to do a Zoom meeting with his class. Kole shared a new calf that was born the day before our Zoom meeting. Kole explained to his class how to take care of calves and why we raise them. The class even got to name the baby. Rainbow is now happily out in our pasture with her momma.”

The Moretz’s two-year-old daughter wants to keep up with her brother. When she isn’t chasing her brother around the farm, she helps her mom deliver meals to the field. She enjoys a good picnic in the tractor. She also loves playing outside on the swing set and going for bike rides.

Nate and Melissa also farm with Nate’s parents, calving about 120 cows/heifers each spring. As young farmers easing their way into the operation, Nate and Melissa began to purchase market steers and heifers to finish out. Melissa says they care for each animal in the best way possible with two goals in mind: (1) keep our animals safe and healthy; and (2) produce quality offspring.

“A special bond forms between people who are working together to accomplish a common goal,” says Melissa. “Both Nate and I were raised on farms and want to teach our children the life lessons that, in our opinion, are learned best on the farm. Responsibility, hard work, life/death, and teamwork are a few of the valuable lessons I have learned on the farm and want to share with our family.”

In addition to raising kids, crops and cattle, the Moretz family has been Latham® seed dealers since 2015.

The Moretz children pose for a photo on a pallet of Latham seed. The family has been Latham seed dealers since 2015.

“Our Latham Hi‑Tech Seed dealership has really taken off in the past couple of years. This has been a great side business for us and a supplemental income,” says Melissa. “Many customers continue to be impressed each year by the products they purchase. They show their appreciation by ordering larger volumes the next year and/or referring us to other farmers in the area. There’s nothing better than word-of-mouth advertising! We are very excited to sell for Latham and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

In celebration of May Beef Month and the season of tractor picnics, today we’re sharing one of the Moretz family’s favorite recipes for pizza burgers.

shannonlatham

May 7, 2021

#RootsInBoots, Beef, Food & Family, Pork, Recipes, Spring
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Lessons in Leadership: 5 Insights from Shannon Latham

by Darcy Maulsby, Iowa Storyteller, Darcy Maulsby & Co

Success in life requires a backbone, not a wishbone. Just ask Shannon Latham, who was diagnosed with scoliosis (an extreme curvature of the spine) when she was in junior high.

“My mom will tell you one of the hardest days of her life was watching me put on my shoes after I was fitted into my back brace,” said Shannon, who grew up in Greene, Iowa. “The prosthetist told my mother I needed to learn to do things for myself. She watched with tears in her eyes as I tried to bend to grab my shoes off the floor.”

Shannon had to wear the back brace 23 hours a day for two years. She’ll never forget the day a guy in study hall thought he would be funny by pulling a chair out from under her as she sat down.

“I fell on the floor and didn’t know how to get up because I couldn’t bend at the waist,” said Shannon, who always tried to disguise the brace under her clothing. “I believe he was shocked senseless because he never offered me a hand up. Instead, I grabbed a table leg and pulled myself up.”

These experiences became defining moments in her life. “My parents never let me believe I was a victim, and for that I will be forever grateful.”

This instilled a spirit of strength in Shannon. When she enrolled in the College of Agriculture at Iowa State University in 1989, the ratio of males to females was 5 to 1.

“I believe one of the main reasons I’ve succeed in agriculture is because I haven’t made an issue out of my gender,” Shannon said. “I treat all people with respect. I study hard and work harder. I take detours where others stop at roadblocks.”

That kind of backbone defines the American spirit, which Shannon embraces through:

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1. A strong work ethic. From the time she was old enough to walk, Shannon helped her parents feed livestock.

“I loved everything about living on our small farm and was passionate about my 4-H sheep project.” She worked hard to grow the size and quality of her family’s purebred, registered Suffolk flock.” She tracked expenses like feed and revenue from sheep sold. She also had to come up with a farm name and promote it.

This marketing mindset inspired her commitment to complete her MBA with an emphasis in marketing from the University of Iowa. It also influences her role as vice president at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds. Shannon has written unique content weekly through “The Field Position” blog from 2008 through today.

2. Small-business savvy. Shannon’s parents were small-business owners who taught her the value of a dollar.

“My mom took me to the bank when I was 10 years old and helped me open a checking account that was solely for buying and selling sheep,” Shannon said. “I wasn’t allowed to spend what I didn’t have.” When Shannon returned to North Iowa after her first full-time jobs in the Des Moines area, she applied her business skills in a whole new way.

“When my husband, John, decided to start his own hybrid seed corn company in our garage, it wasn’t long before I was spending half my time helping market Latham® brand corn.” As the demands of this work grew, Shannon knew something had to change. “I told John, ‘I love you, but I can’t live on love alone.” John agreed to make Shannon an equal partner in his corn company. Today, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds market corn, soybeans, alfalfa and cover crops across seven Upper Midwest states.

3. Assertiveness. Shannon landed her first full-time as director of legislative affairs for the Agribusiness Association of Iowa.

“I reported to Dan Frieberg, who’d say, ‘We didn’t hire you to take a seat at the table. We hired you to be a voice for our members’.” As a 21-year-old lobbyist, Shannon needed to talk to a state senator about an unintended consequence of a bill he had sponsored.

“I offered an amendment to solve the problem,” she recalled. “He got in my face and said, ‘You tell your boss not to send a little girl to do a man’s job.” I looked at him and calmly responded, ‘In all due respect, Senator, my boss sent me to do this job because he knows I’m competent and capable’.”

4. Pursue Your Passion. The summer after Shannon’s junior year of high school, the 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus trip proved to be a life-changing experience.

“We had the opportunity to meet with Iowa’s congressional delegation. We also listened to an American Farm Bureau lobbyist speak, and I was intrigued by the political process.”

In 2020, Shannon was elected to represent District 54 in the Iowa House of Representatives. She serves as the vice chair of Appropriations Committee. She also serves the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees, as well as the Economic Development Budget Subcommittee.

Her leadership in agriculture has earned her many awards, including the Iowa Soybean Association’s Advocate for Agriculture, inclusion in the 2016 FarmHer Hall of Fame, and ISU’s Greenlee 2020 Professional Achievement Award. Of all the titles she’s held, however, “mom” is her favorite. She shares her favorite Henry David Thoreau quotes with her two children, including, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”

5. Giving back. In addition to serving in the Iowa Legislature, Shannon serves on her church council. She was a Girl Scout leader for 12 years and served as the inaugural chair of the Communications Committee for the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). She continues to serve on the ASTA Communications Committee. She is a former member of the Seed Science Foundation board, the Iowa 4-H Foundation and the Franklin County 4-H Foundation. She thinks back to Melva Berkland, who was her supervisor during an internship with ISU Extension Communications for 4-H.

“Melva taught me to view challenges as opportunities, and that perspective has made a world of difference,” said Shannon, who believes a positive outlook is essential to leadership. “Many of life’s greatest lessons are learned – and life’s greatest blessings can be found – on the road less traveled.”

When she isn’t serving her state or her community, Shannon enjoys traveling around the state to enjoy one of Iowa’s Best Burgers or spending time in the kitchen creating a meal her family will enjoy around the table. Today she is sharing with us one of her go-to meals when company is coming. She says Pork Roast with Raspberry Sauce is a fix-it-and-forget type of meal that looks impressive.

shannonlatham

April 20, 2021

#RootsInBoots, Food & Family, Pork, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Local Businesses Do Battle and Food Pantries Benefit

Ag Week 2021 marked the 10^th anniversary of the Breakfast Battle sponsored by Franklin County Farm Bureau and local businesses, including Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds.

“This is such a fun and meaningful event that we’ve repeated for 10 years now,” says Mike Borcherding, president, Franklin County Farm Bureau. “We schedule it during National Ag Week to promote agriculture in Iowa and to bring awareness to food insecurity in our area. Plus, it’s a great way to give back to Franklin County communities!”

Each year National Ag Week recognizes and celebrates the abundance provided by agriculture to our daily lives including food, fiber, and fuel. “Food brings everyone to the table” was the 2021 Ag Day theme, so farmers and business owners in Franklin County helped put food on the table.

“It’s important to remind people that while food is abundant across Iowa, there are food insecure even in Franklin County,” adds Borchering. “We want to maintain a partnership with our local food pantries that are doing a great job helping to meet those needs.”

During the annual Breakfast Battle, teams from local businesses race around the Fareway store in Hampton. They collect groceries for a family of four for one day’s worth of meals. Recipes from Iowa State University Extension’s “Healthy and Homemade” cookbook are provided to the racers for breakfast, dinner, and supper. Racers must gather those ingredients to make a complete meal plus additional items to hit a certain grocery total. Teams that spend more than the designated grocery title are penalized by having time added. The winner receives a traveling trophy for the year.

Thanks to Franklin County Farm Bureau and Lacey Peter for racing on behalf of Team Latham. Although we didn’t take home the trophy, local food pantries were the winners.

“This year’s Breakfast Battle looked a little different to accommodate the continuation of the COVID pandemic,” said Anna Dunnwald, Outreach Coordinator for Franklin County Farm Bureau. “Each business had only one racer rather than a team of three, but we still met our goal. Each year our goal is to gather enough groceries to provide three meals a day for 10 local families. We also encourage participating businesses to match a donation to the pantries for $50, which hopefully doubles the impact!”

Each year the families who receive the groceries also receive a cookbook, donated by Franklin County Extension, that contains the recipes used in the race. New this year, Central Park Dentistry of Sheffield provided dental hygiene kits for the families.

Franklin County Food Pantry in Hampton and the West Fork Food Pantry in Sheffield received food from the 2021 Breakfast Battle. In celebration of National Ag Day on March 23, 2021, Team Latham members helped Pastor G. Kim and Diane Wills pack Easter baskets for those who are served by the West Food Pantry. Our afternoon of service was inspired by the challenge issued by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig for those involved with Iowa agriculture to give back.

Special thanks to the Team Latham members who volunteered time on Ag Day to help pack food sacks at the West Fork Food Pantry in Sheffield, Iowa. The number of families served by the food pantry has doubled since the pandemic began. Pictured from front to back and from left to right are: Ryan Schon, Brandi Hoesing, John Latham, Rod Fesenmeyer, Jesse Meints (youth and family director for Zion St. John), Pastor G. Kim, Meg Schon, Diane Wills (site coordinator for West Fork Food Pantry), and Chris Latham.

West Fork Food Pantry

It was about five years ago when Pastor Wills and his wife, Diane, heard a report on KLMJ radio about local food insecurity. It prompted them to contact the Food Bank of Iowa (FBOI) and learn about the need in Franklin County. In 2016, the Wills helped start a mobile pantry that was held at Zion St. John Lutheran Church in Sheffield, Iowa.

“The Food Bank of Iowa uses the mobile pantries to determine if there is a need. As a mobile pantry, we received a shipment of food every month. The food went out the door the same day. There was no cost to us, and we didn’t need to provide storage,” says Diane Wills, site coordinator for West Fork Food Pantry. “Once the need was established in our community, the Food Bank of Iowa encouraged us to become a permanent pantry in 2018.”

As a permanent site and partner agency with the FBOI, the West Fork Food Pantry purchases most of its food from the FBOI. It also must provide storage. The local pantry is open the first Thursday of every month from 10 A.M. to noon. It is open the third Thursday of each month from 3:30 to 5:30 P.M.

“Before the pandemic, we served about 40 to 50 families, or approximately 140 to 150 people, each month. Now we average 60 to 80 families, or around 250 people per month,” says Wills. “All of our funding is provided through grants and community donations. We accept monetary and in-kind donations.”

Those interested in contributing to the West Fork Food Pantry may email Diane Wills at wfpantry@zionstjohn.org or call the church 641-892-4010. The original partnering churches include Zion St. John Lutheran, West Fork Methodist, First Methodist of Sheffield, St. Paul Lutheran of Thornton and St. Peter Lutheran in Rockwell. Regular donations come from First Grace Baptist in Sheffield, United Methodist of Thornton, Sacred Heart Catholic in Rockwell, and Zion Reformed of Sheffield.

In celebration of National Ag Day, today we’re sharing a recipe from Iowa State University Extension for Loaded Potato Soup.

shannonlatham

April 2, 2021

Food & Family, Recipes, Soups