Farmers have an uncanny ability to recall the dates of weather and other life-changing events for every year of their farming careers. Owen Storlie will tell you the past three springs have been the most challenging of his life – and it’s not due to the record low temps in May 2016 nor the foot of snow that fell across the Midwest in April 2018.

Owen operated K & S Kustom Service, Inc. and ran his family’s 125-year-old farm located in Deerfield, Wisconsin. After 25 years in agribusiness, he sold his fertilizer, chemical and seed dealerships. Not one to idle, Owen retained ownership of his grain trucking fleet. He continued to operate 400 acres of cropland and was looking forward to semi-retirement.

Owen and his wife, Caroline planned to enjoy the winter months in Mississippi.  They enjoyed life to the fullest for three months and then their R & R came to an abrupt end.

The snowbirds were winding down their trip and packing up the RV in March of 2017 when Owen’s health went downhill fast. He gained about three inches on his waist line and his energy level decreased immensely. He visited the local clinic where a paracentesis, or an abdominal tap for fluids, was performed and 6 liters of fluid were removed. Doctors advised him to make immediate plans to see his family physician upon returning home, but they never once mentioned this was the start of a serious issue.

Upon returning home, Owen met with doctors at the UW-Madison Hospitals. He was diagnosed with NASH (Non-alcoholic Steatohepatisis), an advanced form of fatty liver disease.  Every week he traveled to Madison to have the paracentesis performed as he continued to retain fluids in his abdomen.

After extensive testing, Owen’s daughter was cleared to be a partial liver donor. He was admitted on November 2, 2017, for the procedure. However, his health declined immediately to the point where it was no longer an option to receive a partial liver and a full liver was needed. He was placed on the transplant list. Then he contracted a bacterial blood infection and pneumonia, and he was removed from the transplant list.

Owen’s health continued to decline. His blood pressure (BP) plummeted to the point where he needed a machine to keep his pressure viable. During this time, the doctors and staff notified Owen’s family that his organs were “shutting down” and gave him 12 to 36 hours to live.

“That was on Wednesday evening. By the grace of God and Owen’s determination that it was not his time yet, his BP rose through the night and into the morning to the point where he no longer needed the help of the machine,” says Owen’s wife, Caroline. “All the numbers were just enough to put him back on the transplant list late in the day on Thursday, but the doctors weren’t real optimistic of a good outcome. Then in the early morning hours of Friday, the call came that a liver was available. This was truly a miracle as Owen was on the list less than 10 hours.”

On December 22, 2017, the Storlie family received the best Christmas gift ever as Owen underwent a grueling 14-hour procedure. Shortly after the liver transplant, his kidneys weren’t functioning to their potential and Owen was placed on dialysis while he was in the hospital.

That February, Owen was transferred to the UW Rehabilitation Hospital.  He had to learn how to walk and how to eat again. Because he had been in bed for so long with so many tubes, he lost muscle along with weight. Owen weighed 229 pounds when he entered the hospital in November 2, 2017, and he weighed 124 pounds when he was released on February 14, 2018.

The spring of 2018 was very challenging, but thanks to some great friends, the farm ground was worked up. “I wanted to plant so the guys would load the planter for me,” says Owen. “Then I’d call when I needed someone to fill the planter again. They would help me get up into the tractor and we got it all done.”

The 2019 crop will be Owen’s 42^nd crop year, and he’s looking forward to getting back in the cab. Friends will help him as his strength isn’t where it should be, but he says it’s more manageable now with an exercise routine.

It’s not uncommon for a liver transplant recipient to need a kidney transplant within five years. His kidneys haven’t made a complete comeback, but the numbers are staying steady. A transplant isn’t on the immediate calendar, but Owens finds comfort knowing that his daughter, Jessica, is a viable donor.

Due to the liver transplant and the likelihood of a kidney transplant, Owen has had to change his diet. Higher levels of potassium in dairy and other foods has forced him to decrease his consumption of some of his favorite foods. He also has had to increase proteins like fish and chicken plus he eats more fresh vegetables.

He’s made other lifestyle changes, as well.

“Now I take the time for family and friends, and that’s probably the biggest change,” says Owen.  “I’ll push when I have to, but I’ll also take off now for our grandkids activities. We really enjoy making it to their basketball and football games along with the wrestling matches.”

Owen and Caroline also enjoy hitting the road with their fifth wheel RV. They spent the first three months of 2019 in Alabama where they celebrated life! Now that they’re back home in Wisconsin, Owen and Caroline are looking forward to the start of the spring planting season. Whether they’re taking a break from work or marking a special occasion, the Storlie family enjoys celebrating with Butterfinger Angel Food Torte. Today they’re sharing this special recipe on “The Field Position.”

March came in like a lion, and its going out like a goat! Yes, a goat.

The first of the month brought rain that turned into snow showers. More snow fell and we endured cold temperatures during the middle of the month. Then we were blessed with about a week of sunshine and mild temperatures. Today the skies are cloudy and gray. That’s spring in the Midwest, isn’t it? Our weather can be unpredictable.

Life can be unpredictable…

Our kidding season came to a surprising start on Thursday, February 28, when the dwarf-fainting cross goat my daughter was given for Christmas went into labor. To make a long story short, that first-time mother didn’t want to claim her baby. Her newborn baby was barely bigger than a 20-ounce Pepsi bottle, and he was weak from making a traumatic entry into this world. We did what many farmers do when their livestock needs some tender loving care, and we brought the kid inside until he regained his strength.

We named him Lil’ Romeo. As he got stronger, Lil’ Romeo developed the sweetest personality. He also developed a following! People enjoyed the “baby goat cam” videos that we posted on Facebook, and it wasn’t long before staff at our local care center asked if our baby goat could come for a visit.

Lil’ Romeo turned four weeks old yesterday, and today he made his first public appearance. To mark this special occasion, my mom bought him a little outfit that reads, “The prince has arrived.” We also attempted to fit Lil’ Romeo into a toddler brief, and the residents at the care center loved it. I really enjoyed overhearing a group of ladies at a table talk about our little goat.

“Did you see his little outfit?” asked one. “I did,” replied her friend. “It’s cute.”

“He was even wearing a diaper,” said another lady. “That’s because he’s a baby,” replied another lady. “Babies wear diapers, you know.”

The smiles on the residents’ faces were priceless. One lady told me how good it was to see livestock again. She told me that she and her husband were dairy farmers. Another gentleman told me that he raised horses. It was clear that our animals brought back great memories for them, and that warmed my heart.

What a great reminder that we can lift our spirits by making another person’s day. Perhaps you even want to “bake someone happy” this weekend.

Brighten up the greyest of spring days by making your own rainbows. Kids will love dying the batter into rainbow colors and watching their creations “puff up” in the oven.

This rainbow cupcake recipe is courtesy of Laura Cunningham, Latham Seeds’ marketing manager. You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter (@SkyViewFarms) to learn how she raises cattle on her North Iowa farm.

As a 17-year-old student in Colby, Kansas, Chad Bourquin discovered his passion for music while attending a high school assembly featuring a live band. That experience changed the entire trajectory of his life. Eventually, it led him to live in his “zone of genius.”

Today Chad and his brother, Bret, use music to bring a message of hope and inspiration to high school students across the country through their Dream Big Concert Series.  This week Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds  sponsored their band, Big Time Grain Company, to perform a series of three concerts across North Iowa for high school and middle school students who attend West Fork at Sheffield, North Butler in Greene and Hampton-Dumont-CAL in Hampton.

“Everyone has those defining moments that change their life or least alter their direction,” said Chad to gymnasiums filled with teenagers during this week’s school assemblies. “Mine came when my first band replaced me without even telling me about it! That motivated me to get better, so I started practicing five to seven hours each night.”

While Chad was playing his guitar and dreaming about making the big time, his father was more focused on what he thought was a more realistic future. He wasn’t sure majoring in music at college would provide the kind of stability that he wanted for his oldest son.

After attending community college and Kansas State University (KSU), Chad got picked up by a band and hit the road. They traveled all over the Midwest and into Canada. For almost six years, they performed 250 dates per year. That came to an abrupt stop when the singer left the band without giving any notice. Chad could hear his father’s voice, “Get a backup plan,” ringing in his head. His backup plan was put into action. Chad spent the next five years as a booking agent; then five more years selling vitamins; and another five years selling ads.

“One day I admitted to myself that I wasn’t making very good money working a job that wasn’t my passion,” said Chad. “That’s when I decided to tackle this mountain called the music industry and make a living at it or at least enjoy giving it a try. With help and guidance, I learned to enjoy each part of the process.”

Parts of the Process

The message Chad delivers during the Dream Big Series provides students with a series of steps to “find their genius.” The first step is to admit your incompetence. Sometimes we must admit our weaknesses, so we can overcome them. Other times, we just need to admit it’s time to partner with people who possess those skills.

Three equally important steps for turning dreams into reality include:

• Zone of Competence.This is an area where we’re pretty good but have room for improvement. As you hone your skills, you may need a support plan. Note that Chad doesn’t use the term “backup plan.”“Our frame of reference can make all the difference,” says Chad. “The ‘Dream Big’ message helps us mentally work through the difference between a backup plan and a support plan. My dad wanted me to have a backup plan in case music didn’t pay the bills. I had Plan B, C and D: booking agent, selling vitamins, and selling advertising. Then I discovered that becoming a booking agent was a support plan, not a backup plan. A support plan is a better option. Not only did it provide steady income, but I gained skills and formed relationships that helped open more doors.”
• Zone of Excellence.This can be the “danger zone,” cautions Chad. You can get too comfortable here. You might be making enough money that you get scared to make a change. The more money you make, the riskier you perceive it is to make a change.
• Zone of Genius.The zone is genius is where you lose track of time because you’re enjoying it so much.

“I started as lead singer of this band, but that’s not my zone of genius,” said Chad, who plays guitar and sings backup vocals. His brother, Bret, is lead singer. “When I have free time, I pick up my guitar and start playing. The next thing I know, three or four hours have passed. Even when I was the lead singer, I didn’t spend my free time working on vocals. One day it hit me that playing guitar is my zone of genius and singing is my brother’s.”

Discovering your talents and perfecting your gift is key to success. Find someone who’s better at your talent and learn for them. We’re never too old to learn. Much can be accomplished when we work with a team of people toward a common goal. How can we attract people who can help us reach our goals?

“You can’t turn a wheel without moving forward. You must start moving to be guided in a new direction,” says Chad. “Bret and I were so fortunate to grow up on a farm with parents who taught us the importance of a solid work ethic. We learned to care of what needed to be taken care of.  More than that, our inventor dad modeled how creativity can lead to bigger, better ways.”

“We hope some of the homegrown wisdom we share during our ‘Dream Big’ series will inspire others to move forward and pursue their passions,” says Chad.

More words of wisdom are shared in these original videos and songs by Big Time Grain Co. Click below for a look and a listen:

• Little Redemption
• 401K

KLMJ in Hampton, Iowa, is playing “Little Redemption” on the radio, so our North Iowa tour included a stop in studio for an interview. Click here to listen to that interview. You’ll learn more about Big Time Grain Co. and some of the bands for which they’ve opened. You’ll also hear why Latham Seeds sponsored this week’s concert series.

It was an honor to have the Bourquin brothers share their story with us on “The Field Position” blog. They’re also sharing with us one of their favorite recipes. The grandpa and dad raised wheat, so their grandma and mom would make amazing whole wheat cinnamon rolls. There’s nothing that quite compares to smell – or taste –  of homemade cinnamon rolls!

American agriculture isn’t just about producing more. It’s about producing everything better.

The entire agriculture industry – from genetics and seed companies to farmers and food manufacturers – are vital links in a chain that brings food and fiber to U.S. citizens and millions of people worldwide. Because our industry has gotten so efficient, it’s easy for Americans to take agriculture for granted.

National Agriculture Week, March 10-16, helps bring awareness to the importance of our industry. With the theme of “Food for Life,” Ag Week 2019 is helping showcase how important agriculture is to our nation’s health, wealth and wellbeing.

“National Ag Week is an opportunity to celebrate the people who make agriculture so successful. It’s an opportunity to meet with young people and show them the career options that are available in ag,” says Julie Kenney, who in 2018 was appointed Iowa Deputy of Secretary of Agriculture.

Ag Week promotions started late last week when Julie was a guest on WHO Radio’s “The Big Show” with Cristen Clark, who celebrated International Women’s Day by featuring influential women in ag. (Click here to download that podcast.)

Iowa’s Deputy Secretary started this week by giving a keynote speech at the National CommonGround conference in Kansas City. On Tuesday morning, Julie was part of a panel discussion for the Nuffield International Scholars. Tuesday evening she attended the Ag Leaders Dinner where Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig recognized organizations for leadership in innovation, community, education and advocacy. This week Julie also has spoken at an FFA banquet and conducted media interviews. We’re especially grateful that she made time for this feature on “The Field Position.”

All of these Ag Week activities are in addition to Julie’s full-time duties. As Deputy Secretary, Julie is responsible for the operations of Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). She is specifically responsible for overseeing policy, budget and personnel.

“I have always been interested in politics and government. So much of what we do in the ag industry is dependent on our freedom to operate. It’s so important for us to build relationships, speak up and engage with our elected officials so they can advocate on our behalf,” says Julie.

Julie says she appreciates the opportunity to work with Secretary Naig and to help represent the industry that has meant so much to her family. She gets to help make an impact by working to build markets, promoting soil conservation and water quality, and addressing workforce challenges facing our industry and our state.

“It’s an honor to serve farmers and all Iowans,” says Julie. “Secretary Naig and I are focused on building markets for Iowa products by promoting trade, animal agriculture and renewable fuels. We are also laser-focused on soil conservation and water quality. Farmers and landowners statewide are implementing conservation practices. We are working to build capacity and get more conservation practices on the ground, including cover crops, wetlands, saturated buffers and bioreactors. Finally, we are working to encourage the next generation to pursue careers in agriculture – right here in Iowa.”

Before joining IDALS, Julie worked for 15 years in the agribusiness industry. She believes every job she’d held has helped prepare her for her current position.

“I walked beans, worked at the Lake City movie theater and waitressed at The Red Top,” says Julie, who grew up on a farm outside of Lohrville in West Central Iowa where her family raised corn, soybeans and pigs. “The jobs I had in high school and college taught me how to balance my time between school, activities and work. They taught me how to dig in and work hard to get things done – even when it’s not always fun.”

After college, Julie worked in Public Affairs and Marketing at a large ag company for 10 years.

“I’ve had so many great mentors, who taught me how to bring people together to solve problems,” adds Julie. “I also had a consulting business for five years where I got to work with a wide range of ag associations, checkoffs and businesses. Our farm also brings a much-needed perspective to my work at the Department.”

Julie and her husband, Mark, have two children and farm in Story County. As the parents of a 10-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son, they’re busy running kids to practice or cheering for them from the bleachers. When she has the time, Julie enjoys experimenting with new recipes.

Today Julie is sharing with us one of her family’s favorite recipes for Banana Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins. Click here to download her recipe for Harvest Pulled Pork, which appears in an Iowa Food & Family Project cookbook. Harvest Pulled Pork has become one of my go-to crockpot recipes on busy days, any time of the year. It’s so flavorful, moist and delicious!

“North Dakota State wins seventh FCS title in eight years” is a headline treasured by fans of the NDSU Bison, but it’s personal for the Mauch family of Barney, North Dakota.

Cody Mauch is a sophomore at NDSU, majoring in Agricultural Engineering with a minor in Crop and Weed Science. He also plays offensive tackle for the NDSU Bison football team, which beat Eastern Washington 38-24 on Jan. 5, 2019, in the FCS national championship game. NDSU is the only college football program to ever win five consecutive NCAA national championships and the only football program to win seven FCS titles.

“We had an absolute blast at the national championship game,” says Joe Mauch. “It was our first time in Frisco, Texas. We couldn’t believe how the whole town catered to NDSU Fans. It was a really good experience for us. Cody is part of an amazing football program. Winning that many championships in the last eight years says a lot for the program, its coaches and the players.”

Joe and his wife, Stacey, are the proud parents of four sons and four daughters. Their oldest son, Carter, graduated in December 2018 from NDSU with a degree in Crop and Weed Science. Cody is 19. Their other children are ages 17, 15, 8-year-old twins, 5 and 3.

“I’m glad Carter is able to join our family’s farming operation and seed business. He will help us in so many ways, but especially in the scouting process. Carter had crop scouting internships during the past two summers, and he learned so much. He also studied precision agriculture, so he understands how all the new technologies work together,” says Joe, who started farming in 1996 with his father.

Joe’s father was ready to retire about the time Joe’s youngest brother, Andrew, was ready to start farming. They raise corn, soybeans, sugar beets and navy beans. They also custom bale wheat straw.

“Our operation may be a little unique that we all farm our own fields,” says Joe. “We own different equipment but share equipment and labor. It works for us. We’re fortunate that we have really good help, too.”

Recently the Mauchs took on a Latham® dealership to diversify their operation and to provide their seed customers with more options. Joe says he and Andrew were studying F.I.R.S.T. Trials and saw that Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds has performed really well over the years. Latham brand seeds average 34 wins each year, which shows the consistency of Latham Seeds’ products and the strength of its lineup.

“Our philosophy is simple,” says John Latham, president of Latham Seeds. “We produce the highest quality seed products possible that are bred for local conditions.”

Working with farmers to place seed products where they fit best is something Joe enjoys most about the seed business. Andrew says he really likes calling on friends and neighbors as part of their business. He also enjoys the opportunity to try new products as a seed dealer.

“We plant Roundup Ready and Liberty traits, as well as conventional crops, and I believe that’s one of the reasons we’re seeing less weed pressure,” says Andrew. “I believe Enlist E3 soybeans will be exciting, and I can’t wait for them to receive full approval.”

Andrew and his wife, Bethany, are the fourth generation to live on the home place.

“I like that our kids will grow up involved with farming. They understand that we’re helping feed and fuel the world. They can ride in the tractor and learn just like I did,” says Andrew, who’s the proud father of two sons and two daughters. His oldest son, Mason, is 10; his oldest daughter, Adlee, is 7. Twins, Axel and Lyla, are 5 years old. Mason plays hockey. The girls take figure skating lessons and gymnastics. Everyone enjoys snow skiing in the winter and spending as much time as possible at the lake in the summer.

In addition to working full-time, Bethany finds time to bake. Her banana bars are a hit with those who help during harvest, so today they’re sharing this recipe with us.