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.