To make this recipe, I used a box mix (haven’t found a homemade recipe that tastes any better than the box, so why make it so hard) :). Then I just put the batter into mini cupcake liners placed in a regular cupcake tin, so they probably expanded wider than a normal mini cupcake tin. That wasn’t intentional, I just didn’t have the right tin.
To decorate mini trees, load frosting in a piping bag and use a star tip. (Confession- I also didn’t have any piping bags on hand. So I used a quart Ziploc back and poked a small hole in the corner for the tip to go through. Worked just fine : ) ) Start on the outside “ring” of the cupcake and work your way in, layering higher until you’ve reached a tree shape. The secret is in the consistency of your frosting. Frosting from a can is not stiff enough to layer, so if you’ve attempted shaping with that type of icing before and it eventually “melted” into a pile, that’s why. Then add sprinkles of your choice and be proud of your mini tree creation!
What does a farmer do in winter? In addition to doing chores and plowing snow, I’ve been making my way through the stack of newspapers and magazines that got piled up during harvest. One article I read this weekend was “Pew Commission 5 years later” written by Tyler Harris and printed in the September 2013 issue of Wallaces Farmer.
While I believe Harris was trying to report the facts, his article got under my skin. I thought about titling today’s blog, “Trying to listen when steam is coming out of your ears!” I’m getting worked up again just thinking about Harris’ article, but I’ll do my best to give you the jest.
The Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production (PCIFAP) issued a report in 2008 entitled, “Putting Meat on the Table: Industrial Farm Animal Production in America.” It called for changes to meat production in the name of public health, environment, animal welfare, and the economics of rural communities. The Commission made recommendations against the use of antimicrobials fed to meat animals and proposed changes to current livestock waste management systems.
Many of these recommendations were opposed by the National Pork Producers Council and the Animal Agricultural Alliance. Because these groups questioned the study’s objectivity, a follow up study was led by Robert Lawrence, director of the John Hopkins Center for a Livable Future. Results from that study were released this fall. Basically, this follow up study upholds the Pew recommendations from 2008, and Lawrence is quoted as saying, “… the urgency to implement them fully grows each day.”
I’m trying very hard to keep an open mind here, but the “Devil” is in the details! The PCIFAP consists of 15 commissioners “who bring individual expertise in diverse fields including public policy, agriculture, veterinary medicine, public health, animal welfare, the food industry, and rural society.” Until you read through the list of commissioners and research their backgrounds, one would think this group would represent experts on all sides of the issue. Not the case!
The makeup of this Commission is clearly one-sided. That’s why today I’m using my own experience to refute each recommendation the Commission made:
The Commission’s first recommendation addresses antibiotics use within the livestock industry. Mainly, the Commission wants to stop use of all non-therapeutic antimicrobials. Fact is, a very small amount of antibiotics are used in this way. Antibiotics add to feed costs, so farmers don’t use them unless they’re needed. Plus, modern buildings are so much better for controlling disease that hogs get sick less frequently. When my hogs were raised outside, I was always medicating due to stress and exposure to stray animals and weather. No one has proved that resistance is coming from antibiotics used in this fashion.
The Commission’s second recommendation concerns a government database and disease monitoring. In my own operation, I know where the pigs come from and what their history is. We already have a great system in Iowa to deal with any outbreak of disease, so we don’t need additional rules.
In its third recommendation, the Commission addresses industrial waste from the “inflexible and broken system” that exists. Now this is way out of line! I agree there is not much flexibility with our current manure management plans. But calling manure an industrial waste is simply wrong! Manure is a valuable fertilizer, and no farmer wants to waste valuable inputs.
Recommendation number 4 deals with animal welfare. There is a distinct different between treating animals humanely and treating them like a human! Farmers treat their animals humanely every day because we want the livestock’s environment as stress-free as possible. The whole premise behind modern production techniques is to give our animals the very best care possible! Following a recent snow storm, I stepped inside one of the modern barns and snapped a picture of a pen of pigs. The wind chill outside was at least 20 below zero, but my pigs were warm and cozy. As much as these experts want to return to the good old days, I would never wish that for my pigs!
The Commission’s fifth recommendation calls for more state and federal regulations to “level playing field for all producers.” This is America, folks, where free enterprise and free choice are supposed to reign supreme! Let the free market – not government regs – rule. Leveling the playing field removes incentives from those who have figured out how to do a great job and gives advantage to those who are inefficient. If a producer wants to remain small, he must find a niche market – and many have. It’s not government’s job to decide the winners in business!
The last point calls for increased government funding to expand and reform animal research. Last I knew, private companies were doing a pretty darn good job already!
The point I want to make is that the Pew study is very well funded and get a lot of attention, so it puts pressure on elected officials to make more rules that end up hampering business. More regulations leads to higher production costs, which leads to fewer investments by farmers and businesses, which leads to fewer jobs and higher food costs. We must remain diligent in protecting the great food system we already have in this country, which produces the safest cheapest food in the world!
Sukup Manufacturing started in 1963. Charles Sukup was just nine years old at the time, but he was already involved in the family business.
“I grew up learning how to weld, cut metal and do lathe work,” recalls Charles. “I worked in the electrical department, poured cement, assembled parts and did drafting work. The drafting I learned through Industrial Arts in high school was really helpful.”
4-H also played a key role in helping Charles pursue interests that helped lead to career success. He said, “The 4-H program definitely helped develop my leadership skills. Serving as an officer taught me how to plan meetings and then conduct them according to Roberts Rules of Orders. Through 4-H, I also learned how to work with people of all personalities and ages.”
Charles said 4-H projects gave him the opportunity to try new things. “You always say you should do this or you want to try that, but there’s nothing like a 4-H County Fair deadline to make you get it done! It may be the night before, but it gets done!” says Charles with a smile.
Projects areas in which Charles enrolled included Hogs, Sheep, Photography, Citizenship, Forestry and Welding. Woodworking was one of his favorite 4-H project areas. Charles fondly remembers spending time in his grandpa’s shop where he made a number of wooden candlestick holders. Some of those candlesticks were 3 or 4 feet tall made from walnut logs and formed with a lathe.
“4-H really reinforced those values we grew up with,” said Charles. “I always enjoyed going to the club picnic potluck and touring farms to see everyone’s livestock projects.”
The Sukup family raised hogs and sheep when Charles and his brother, Steve, were 4-H members. Their father, Eugene, had a goal of improving his breeding stock to produce a larger pork loin. At that time, the average pork loin was 2 inches. Seven inches is the average-sized loin now, but today’s hogs are also a third bigger. Farmers in those days were penalized for hogs weighing over 220 pounds; today’s market hogs average just under 300 pounds.
While many things like production practices have changed over the years, one constant has been the 4-H awards program. Charles was honored to be selected to attend National 4-H Congress for Citizenship. He had been a page for the Iowa Legislature and participated in the 4-H Citizenship Washington, D.C. Focus (CWF) conference. Years later he was honored to be asked to chaperone the CWF trip when his youngest son, Jonathan, attended.
Like their father, two of Charles’ children were members of the West Fork Winners 4-H Club. Their grandfather, Eugene, was also a member of the West Fork Winners which, during both Eugene and Charles’ years, was only a boys’ club. The club disbanded for a few years but was reinstated as a co-ed club in time for the third generation to become members.
“Our kids are so different, but 4-H allowed them to pursue their interests,” says Charles. “It also provided us with quality family time as Mary and I both helped them in different ways.”
Charles’ wife, Mary, belonged to 4-H when she was growing up in Cerro Gordo County. Before they were married, she taught Home Economics and Art. Her interest in these areas sparked her children to take related 4-H projects. One of their shared interests was participating in the “Promote Your Commodities” competition, which is now called “Dish This!” to promote Iowa-grown products.
In celebration of the commodities they’ve grown – and in appreciation for the farmers whom they still serve – today the Sukup family is sharing one of their favorite recipes with us. Calico Beans are a “fix it and forget it” dish, perfect for holiday potlucks and family gatherings.
While reading Corn and Soybean Digest recently, I came across an article about using our “off-season” time to prepare for the “2014 game” or growing season. Author Dean Heffta writes, “Every business – whether its seasons are set by the weather or not – needs to create and utilize an ‘off season’.”
LeBron James used off-season training to become a better low-post player after the Miami Heat lost the NBA tournament in 2011. James sought help from the great Hakeem Olajuwan to hone skills needed to improve his performance. As a result of James’ preparation and leadership, the Heat won back-to-back league championships in 2012 and 2013.
Plan – Step back from day-to-day operations. Consider where your farm is going. Explore ways to reach your goals. Plan for 2014.
An important role of every leader is scripting plays for the upcoming season. Take time to plan the details so everyone knows what’s next. While the process can seem a little overwhelming after a long, tiring growing season, simply for considering just one area of your operation that, if worked on, would make the biggest difference to your farm over time.
Click here for tips from Heffta on how to “execute your off season plan.” I’ll also be there to help in any way that I can, too. All you have to do is call! 1-877-GO-LATHAM (1.877.465.2842)
Start a Conversation about Farming… with Someone, Anyone!
Last week I attended the Iowa Farm Bureau’s annual meeting in Des Moines. Dr. Jay Lehr, PhD, was the keynote speaker on Wednesday. He began by showing a video of himself, asking urban residents questions about farming. Needless to say, he received many funny looks at first from those unsuspecting folks in the videotape. Yet, every conversation turned into a good dialogue about food and farming.
When people are asked what they think about Iowa, Dr. Lehr says they immediately associate it with agriculture, corn and cattle. He doesn’t understand why residents of the number one corn and soybean state do not fully support agriculture – and he’s right! Iowa faces an anti-ag attitude.
Iowa farmers often find themselves in situations, defending their livelihoods. This state’s largest newspaper frequently runs stories blaming farmers for everything from the Dead Zone in the Gulf to ruining water for recreation! Dr. Lehr was very adamant that they are wrong. Too many people just do not understand modern farming. And to further make his point, he used one of my favorite phrases, “These are not Old McDonald’s farms!”
Non-farmers are interested, as proved by Dr. Lehr’s video. The need for information is probably why so many of them buy into messages by the plentiful messages broadcast by HSUS and PETA. It’s also why we must start more conversations. If we let others tell our story, it’s not going to be the story we want told. Just think how much understanding could be created if each Iowa farmer spent two hours each month to help explain modern farming!
Think one family farmer can’t make a difference? Think again… just look at the impact the Peterson Farm Bros have made! Their Facebook page has 86,547 likes with 24,702 talking about them. Their parodies of pop songs filled with ag stats and farming know-how are wildly popular. “I’m Farming and I Grow It” parody they posted one year ago has had more than 8 million hits – 8,814,359 views to be exact! Their newest parody on Katy Perry’s “Chore,” posted about 21 hours ago and already has more than 70,000 views.
While we aren’t all as talented as the Petersons, we can start conversations by posting their videos on our Facebook pages and sharing some ag production stats. Articles posted on our Facebook pages also can start conversations by providing opportunities for others to ask questions, which is what happened when I posted a link Sunday to an article in The Des Moines Register.
Modern farming is a huge success story of how technology has very much improved the way we farm, keeping the environment cleaner in many ways. If you farm, start a conversation with a consumer. If you don’t farm, start a conversation with a farmer. Ask questions. Farmers can also listen. Who knows, you might hear a different story!
Weeds Grew Above Canopy in 70% of Iowa Soybean Fields
Last week I had the opportunity to attend the 25th Annual Integrated Crop Management Conference on campus at Iowa State University in Ames. This conference provides the latest information on crop production technology, and I always look forward to hearing research findings that can help farmers increase yields.
It comes as no surprise that the first session of the first day would be a Weed Management Update from Dr. Mike Owen. What was a surprise is just how severe the growing weed resistance problem has become! A survey completed this fall shows that 70% of all soybean fields in Iowa had weeds showing above the canopy at harvest.
Although the most current emphasis has been on glyphosate-resistant weeds, it’s important to understand that all herbicides used on a stand-alone basis will eventually fail. The best management practice for achieving weed control is still a diversity of tactics: cultural, mechanical and herbicide.
Soybean growers should choose programs that will use products from as many herbicide groups, or families, as possible. There are no new herbicide mechanisms of action for the coming year, but there will be some new mixtures and new formulations using older class chemistries as base components. Rotating between various herbicide traits is important from the standpoint of reducing weed resistance is also key to achieving higher soybean yields.
Correct management of weeds will make you more money every year than managing any other pest complex, writes Dr. Owen in a blog post. Herbicide-resistant weed populations are increasing at an increasing rate in Iowa; these weed shifts are the result of the management decisions you make. No single tactic will protect the potential crop yield nor deter the evolution of herbicide-resistant weed populations. Be proactive and make plans to manage herbicide resistance in 2014.
Lanehaven Farms Strives to Sustain Resources for Generations to Come
December brings back fond childhood memories of sleigh rides across the snow-covered farm fields in Northwest Iowa for Sally Hollis of Lanehaven Farms. Her grandfather was a corn and soybean grower, who enjoyed raising Belgian and Percheron horses as a hobby.
“While I grew up with some farming background, I definitely would not have guessed I would be a farmer when I graduated from high school,” said Sally, who earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University and an MBA from the University of Northern Iowa. She worked the past 15 years for Deere & Company in a variety of roles in Operations, Supply Management, Quality and Systems/Processes. Her most recent role was Business Unit Manager for the Cab Operations at Waterloo’s Tractor, Cab & Assembly Operations.
Sally took an official leave of absence last year from Deere & Company. Today she puts her engineering background and John Deere experience to work on their family farm, sharing her knowledge of operations, systems and management. She’s standardizing processes and leading a large project to switch accounting systems effective January 1. She also works on landlord relations, human resources and website maintenance.
Meanwhile, Blake and his father have day-to-day responsibilities for the crop and hog operations. They take care of the marketing, equipment purchases, insurance, customer relations and community relations.
“I am learning so many new things about agriculture that I find extremely interesting and exciting. I cherish the wonderful opportunity I have to work with my family on a daily basis,” says Sally, whose husband, Blake, is the third generation to operate Lanehaven Farms.
Blake’s grandfather, Gordon Hollis, started the farm in 1947 as a dairy and crop operation. Because the home farm has a long lane and he thought of it as a place of refuge, Gorden name it Lanehaven.
One reason Lavehaven Farms has been successful for more than 65 years and through three generations is because the Hollis family embraces leading edge practices while standardizing processes and focusing on continuous improvement. One example of their stewardship and progressiveness is the first denitrifying bioreactor that was installed last month.
“We work to passionately protect and sustain resources for future generations,” says Sally.
“That’s how my husband’s grandparents and then his parents operated it. Now we are focused on what we must do for our business to remain strong for the next generation. We will strive for business excellence today and quickly adopt future technologies, processes and businesses to continue to improve the business for years to come.”
Sally and Blake are the proud parents of two sons, 12-year-old Thatcher and 10-year-old Chase. Both boys enjoy sports, music, farming and spending time with their friends. They also compete on a FIRST Lego League/robotics team, which their mom has coached for the past three years. In fact, their Lego League team is competing this weekend in the regional qualifier.
“None of us get to where we are without having been recipients of others generosity such as our parents, teachers, mentors, friends, and others,” says Sally. “Because of the generosity I have received from others, I feel part of my purpose in life is to be generous and help others.” In addition to Lego League, Sally is active in a number of community organizations. She serves on the Waterloo School Foundation Board and as an advisor on the McElroy Trust. She and her husband also active in their church as small group leaders and marriage mentors.
In her free time, Sally enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising and cooking. Today she is sharing one of her favorite pork recipes, which comes from a cookbook developed by a committee on which she served for the area Junior League. Lanehaven Farms has produced pork for more than 40 years, so today’s recipe is a fitting way to promote the product they raise. Spice up the holiday season with Pesto Pork Chops!
As the holidays approach, we’re constantly reminded about wants verses needs. Masterfully crafted advertisements have even convinced many of us that our “wants” are truly “needs.” The line between wants and needs has become blurred throughout our entire society! The fact that the 2012 Farm Bill has yet to pass, and 2013, is coming to a close is proof positive.
Right about now you might be thinking, “Wow. Larry isn’t feeling the holiday spirit.” The truth is, I love the holidays. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends any day throughout the year, but especially between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. It’s just that life must go on – and chores must be done – regardless of what day it is or what season is upon us.
That’s why today I’m addressing a very serious topic that’s weighing on me heavily given recent events. Reader discretion is advised as I may not be politically correct at times. It’s a hot-button issue of mine that was pushed when I read a story over the weekend in The Des Moines Register.
On November 29, Register reporter Sharyn Jackson wrote, “Child care costs are holding back Iowa families.” A national study found that in 2012 a single mother in Iowa with one infant, earning the state median income for single-mother families, spent an average of $9,053, or 37.4 percent of her income, on child care. During the summer, when her two children are off from school, one single mother from Indianola spent more than 90 percent of her paycheck on daycare for just three days a week of care.
This is a story close to my heart because two of my kids are raising their families alone, and they struggle to make ends meet. It’s definitely tough for single-parent homes, which brings up the topic of divorce and the moral fight over whether it is right or wrong. Having personally gone through a divorce, and knowing the situation for both of my kids who have gone through one, I believe divorce is sometimes the best decision!
I understand that some things have been done in the past that cannot be ignored, and there is a reason I am so passionately against abortion. There is a reason I so love my instant family that was given to me on my 30th birthday. Some things in life were meant to test your faith, and how you handle these hardships make you who you are!
Then, what about parenthood before marriage? Yep, it also happens to good people. One of my very good friends is a conservative, Christian, wife and mother, who was once was a single, college-student mother on food stamps. After keeping quiet about it for a decade, this Food Stamps Mom broke her silence. Katie Pinke, on the Pinke Post, wrote:
I needed to build a life for my son. I didn’t want him to be a statistic. I wanted him to be in the most loving, supportive environment possible. Food stamps were a part of my solution to create a future for my son and me. Food stamps helped me for two years and childcare assistance just six months longer.
She goes on to write:
When I graduated from college, I earned a salary. I had health insurance. My son was four years old. I called my caseworker and told her I no longer needed to receive benefits. I was breaking free!
Did she congratulate me? Hardly.
She expressed her concern that I wouldn’t be in need anymore. She assured me I could still probably qualify for some services. The truth is, I never wanted to go back to social services. I never wanted to slide that food stamps card at the grocery store again… I wanted more for my son. I wanted freedom and ability to provide on my own.
Providing a temporary hand up, rather than a permanent hand out, was the original intent of the food stamp program, which is now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Unfortunately, generations of families have become dependent on public assistance. The number of people on welfare has sky rocketed during the last six years.
Another sidebar thought: Does the income limit in place to qualify for food stamps hold people back from the Middles Class? It seems to reason to me if The Register article says income requirements to qualify for state childcare are holding people back from the Middle Class that the same holds true for SNAP. Parameters of the childcare assistance program prevent these low-income families from becoming part of the Middle Class. Government rules holding them back because these Americans are incented to either quit their jobs or not apply for jobs to qualify for assistance.
What about subsidized housing? I just read about the USDA making grants available.
The fact is, society has changed. Much of this change has been caused by government programs. Back in “the good old days,” we didn’t have so many government assistance programs. Families, churches, communities, and friends were there to help. And, people were motivated to change their circumstances by working harder and longer!
It’s been reported there is a dire shortage of skilled laborers in Iowa, and this shortage is holding back job creation. I know from personal experience that it’s next to impossible to run a successful business without skilled labor. Between the lack of skilled workers and no lack of new government regulation, creating new jobs is tough!
So what’s the solution?
Lessen government regulation.
Provide better and more access to education.
Teach the younger generation right from wrong.
Restore a sense of accomplishment from a job well done; restore the sense of pride from working hard and doing things for yourself.
Don’t expecting the government or someone else to do it or give it to you!
There isn’t any one easy fix in reality, but the current path America is taking is not working: free food, free phones, free baby care, free housing, and the list goes on! My point is that government needs to get back to doing what it was designed to do, starting with protecting our borders and preventing enemy attacks! If we keep going deeper and deeper in to debt, the government will not be able to handle its requirements. Wants can no longer replace needs.