Shared family values and common interests are what brought Cole and Mandy Danner together. The two met at a social event hosted by the Block & Bridle Club when they were students at Iowa State University (ISU) where they learned of shared interests in raising and showing cattle. Both had been active members of both 4-H and FFA. Mandy showed club calves, and Cole started his herd as a 4-H Beef project. Cole also was active on the 4-H Livestock Judging Team. He competed in National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest at the National Western Stock Show and at National FFA Convention. He earned a college scholarship for livestock judging and a spot on the ISU Livestock Judging Team.
The Danner Family in September 2021.
Cole and Mandy have been building their cattle numbers since they got married in September 2012. They moved to an acreage outside of Laurens, Iowa, where they rented farmland and farmed alongside Mandy’s family.
“Cole and I farmed row crops for seven years and enjoyed it thoroughly. We learned a lot in those years and cherish all the memories. But how does the old saying go? The only thing that stays the same is that everything changes!” says Mandy. The couple has experienced many life changes in recent years.
“We were blessed with our first child, our son Bentley, in January of 2017. He is a farm boy through and through! He will jump at any opportunity to go farming. He loves the farm life so much we converted our entire basement into his little play farm setup complete with every piece of equipment you can imagine: barns, cattle, fence, silos, and grain bins,” says Mandy. “In May of 2021, we were blessed with our second child, our daughter Myla. We can already tell that she loves the farm life by the way she looks at the cattle, and the smile on her face when she goes outside.”
Bentley is a farm boy through and through.Bentley and Myla love checking on cattle and being outside on the farm.
Another change for the family occurred in January 2019 when Cole took a sales job with C&B Operations, a John Deere dealer in Storm Lake, Iowa. He has since moved into a store manager position. Cole and Mandy continue to help their family farm during spring planting and fall harvest. They also continue to operate a Latham® seed dealership.
“I joined Latham Seeds in 2012 because it’s an independent, family-owned company,” says Cole. “There’s a great support team in place, and I really enjoy working with people who have the same values.”
“Farming runs in both of our families, and we feel blessed to farm as a family,” says Mandy. “It’s priceless to work side by side with the ones you love. Cole and I both believe in the future of agriculture and look forward to carrying on our farming traditions.”
Today the Danners are helping promote beef by sharing one of their favorite recipes for Ground Beef Stew, as well as another recipe for Caramel Pecan Bars. It sounds like a winning combination for a chilly, fall evening.
Caramel Butter Pecan Bars
2 cups flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup cold butter
1.5 cups chopped pecans
1 jar (12 oz.) caramel ice cream topping, warmed
1 pkg. (11 1/2 oz.) milk chocolate chips
Combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly. Press into ungreased 9×13 pan. Top with pecans. Drizzle caramel evenly over pecans. Bake at 350 for 15-20 min. or until caramel is bubbly. Place on a wire rack and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Let stand for 5 minutes. Then carefully spread chocolate chips over caramel layer. Cool at room temperature for at least 6 hours, or until chocolate is set. Cut into bars. Yields 4 dozen.
Pumpkin Fundraiser Plants a Seed for Ronald McDonald Donation
As a young boy growing up on 4-C-Sons Dairy near Maiden Rock, Wisconsin, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds Forage Products Manager Corey Catt developed an interest in how nutrition affected the animals in his care. He also was committed to making a difference in his community and the world around him.
“My parents were always visiting family and friends in the nursing homes, as well as those who lost spouses or going through a tough patch in life,” says Corey. “My favorite grandmother, who had been very active, was in a bad car accident that left her in a wheelchair. This gave me and my brothers perspective to the challenges people face.”
Corey’s mom was a nurse and an emergency medical technician (EMT), and he attended classes with her when he was young. He also was in an accident when he was a kid. “I will never forget those who helped me from the EMT’s to a wonderful community that supported our family and farm operations during that time. All this support and kindness from others added some depth and desire to want to help others in some way.”
His life experience also explains Corey’s diverse interests and multi-faceted career. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin at River Falls with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture with an emphasis in Agronomy, Nutrition and Economics. He took EMT training at night after attending college classes during his first fall in college. He later advanced training to become a Nationally Registered Paramedic.
“One of my paramedic colleagues from the ambulance service was telling me about a fundraiser his dad did. Every spring he would start seeds for giant pumpkins. Then he would sell the seedlings to people in the community to raise money for a community fundraiser, and in the fall, they had a big pumpkin weigh-off party. It was similar to a 50-50 raffle where half the money was reserved for the winner with the biggest pumpkin, and the other half was donated to kids with disabilities,” said Corey.
Corey’s friend needed a place to grow his giant pumpkin for the fundraiser and asked if he could plant it at 4-C-Sons Dairy. Their first attempt yielded them about a 200-pound pumpkin, so they accepted a challenge to grow a bigger pumpkin the following year. Some people claim there are lots of secrets to growing a giant pumpkin, but Corey says it’s a lot is like farming because we need Mother Nature to cooperate.
“That fundraiser planted a seed in the back of my mind,” said Corey. “It got me thinking about ways I could help others.”
Corey Catt delivers pumpkins to Ronald McDonald House Charities with his two goddaughters.
Fast forward a few years and an opportunity presented itself. Corey was asked to be a godfather for two of his friends’ daughters. When the girls grew older, Corey wanted to do an activity with his goddaughters that would allow them to experience the feeling of giving back by helping others. Corey planted his first pumpkin patch about 20 years ago, and then he reached out to the Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis to see if he and his goddaughters could donate pumpkins there. In subsequent years, he contacted Ronald McDonald Houses in Milwaukee because they were closer to where his other goddaughters lived. He also has donated to Rochester.
“Delivering pumpkins to Ronald McDonald Houses led to meaningful conversations with my goddaughters, House managers, and the families that stay there,” said Corey. “We were given tours of the houses, so my goddaughters learned about kids their ages who were battling pediatric cancer. A house manager at the Ronald House in Milwaukee explained how decorating pumpkins brings some normalcy to a chaotic life. It’s a source of comfort to these families, even if it’s just for a moment in time.”
“The love is palpable inside the Ronald McDonald House,” adds Corey. “Everyone there is so kind. There are volunteers who are gardening, preparing meals and leading crafts. My role isn’t large, but it’s a way to support these families. This year we delivered pumpkins in time for a large move-in event at the Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis. Our pumpkins, straw bales and corn shocks helped welcome these families to their home away from home.”
The Pumpkins Must Get Delivered
Just as rain and snow couldn’t keep the Pony Express from delivering, Corey doesn’t allow the weather to prevent him from delivering pumpkins.
“I’ve been extremely blessed to have a good friend who graciously grows a big pumpkin patch every year, so I have a backup supply,” says Corey. “When I’ve had production issues due to hail or drought, he has come through. This year he grew the most beautiful weed free patch that I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s nice to have friends who contribute, too.”
Raising pumpkins on a large scale takes time and effort. Corey says he’s in a constant battle with weeds and insects when he’s not working with dairy and beef producers through his job with Latham Seeds or working as a paramedic at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.
“Some days you wonder if it’s really worth it, and then you’re reminded why you’re doing this,” says Corey. “One day I was delivering pumpkins to a Ronald McDonald House when I saw a little girl with tubes hanging everywhere. I could just feel the heaviness of this mom. It honestly made my heart ache as I imagined all her concerns: hospital bills, insurance, missed work, other kids at home.
This little girl walked by one a warty pumpkin and said, ‘Look, Mommy. This one has bumps.’ She smiled the biggest smile. That little, warty pumpkin brought her so much joy. I could see the mom find a fragment of joy in that moment, and that one moment made a summer’s worth of work all worth it.”
Corey adds, “Everyone has pieces of their heart they want to give, but not everyone knows how to share it. It took a lot of phone calls for me to figure out how to give back to Ronald McDonald Houses, but it has been so rewarding. I believe each one of us can find a way to make a difference. That’s one thing I appreciate about Latham Seeds. This family-owned company is about more than business… It’s about making a difference.”
In honor of October as both Pork and Pumpkin Month, today we’re sharing a recipe for Pork & Pumpkin Chili. Plus, pumpkin has many health benefits! Pumpkin is highly nutritious. It’s high in beta-carotene, which your body turns into vitamin A. Studies show that vitamin A can strengthen your immune system and help fight infections.
In honor of October as both Pork and Pumpkin Month, today we’re sharing a recipe for Pork & Pumpkin Chili. Plus, pumpkin has many health benefits! Pumpkin is highly nutritious. It’s high in beta-carotene, which your body turns into vitamin A. and is particularly rich in Vitamin A. Studies show that vitamin A can strengthen your immune system and help fight infections.
Each Prunty Contributes His Own Ingredient for Farming Success
Today’s technology makes it possible for farmers in different states to conduct secondary research online in the off-season and put it into practice during the growing season.
“We had a hole in our bean lineup, so I went online and started looking for seed,” says Aaron Prunty, who farms with his dad, John, and his brother, Paul, on the South Dakota-Minnesota border near Pipestone, Minn. “I really liked what I read about Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds in the F.I.R.S.T. Trials and decided to give it a try. In our first year, we planted a plot that included Latham’s 1858 and 1538, which ended up winning. All three of the Latham numbers we planted performed well, and the 1858 out-yielded the competition in every side-by-side we put it in. We decided to plant exclusively Latham® soybeans the next year.”
Aaron is responsible for making the seed decisions for the family’s farming operation. His brother has a real knack for fixing equipment, and their father has been primarily responsible for taking care of their independent farrow-to-finish pork operation.
The Prunty family raises all crossbreds. They save their sows and buy boars: Hamp, Duroc, Large Whites and Yorks. As a result of keeping a fairly closed herd and mixing their own feed on site, they avoided PEDV. They also were one of the first producers to start vaccinating for PRRs.
“We’ve always been farrow-to-finish. We farrow year-round, every week,” says John. “I love farming and that makes all the difference in the world. Fortunately, my wife has been a partner with me through the years.”
John’s wife, Elizabeth, mainly took care of the farrowing barn but now Paul is doing more of that. In fact, each family member is making the most of his natural abilities and interest. Aaron graduated in 2007 from South Dakota State University in Agronomy. Paul earned a degree in Animal Science in 2013 from SDSU.
“I’ve always enjoyed working with Dad. He has a lot of respect for us and our abilities,” says Aaron. “Dad very much leads by example. He doesn’t leave the dirty work just for us; he pitches in. He’s a really good mentor and he’s always been on the cutting edge of technology.”
John says, “It’s really fun farming with the boys. They’re full of shenanigans! I’m transitioning to retirement, but I’m having too much fun to quit.”
While each family member has his or her main responsibility, they all help where needed. John runs the combine, while Aaron and Paul trade off running the grain cart and semis for soybeans. Elizabeth runs the grain cart for the corn harvest. They’ve also divided up the spring field work. Paul does the strip tilling and plants the corn; Aaron plants the soybeans.
You could say that farming is in the Prunty’s blood. They’ve traced their ancestors back to the 1600s and learned they were farmers in Northern Ireland. In honor of the Prunty’s Irish heritage and their love of farming, we’re sharing a recipe for Irish Pork Stew.
Like many boys who grow up on a farm, Landon Aldinger was fascinated with equipment.
Years later he would combine his fascination with equipment and farming with skills in technology and engineering to help others get more results using fewer inputs.
Landon (left) and Mike Aldinger own Precision Farm Management. It has evolved from a focus on acquiring and using the latest products to using technology to implement more precision agricultural services.
Watching big machines on the family farm led to Landon getting a bachelor’s degree in Ag Engineering from Iowa State University. He then worked nearly seven years, as a Senior Design Engineer, for the Toro Company in Minneapolis before his story finally came full circle. “I really enjoyed my time and my career in the cities,” says Landon. “But when I turned 30, my priorities started to shift. I was ready to head home and become more involved in the farming operation.”
Grady Aldinger loves being involved on the farm. Here he is during the fall 2020 harvest.
Landon had been assisting his father, Mike Aldinger, since 2008 with their seed, chemical and consulting business. Mike started the business as Ag Fertilizer and Chemical in 1977 with his father (and Landon’s grandfather), Merle. After Merle retired, the business became Precision Farm Management, Inc.
Like farming itself, Precision Farm Management has evolved from a focus on acquiring and using the latest products to using technology to implement more precision agricultural services like variable rate seeding and variable rate fertilizer, including variable rate nitrogen.
We’re proponents of all things VR (variable rate) whether it’s nitrogen, fertilizer or seed,” says Landon. “Placing the correct amount of inputs in the appropriate areas just makes sense and offers opportunities for enhanced return on investment. We offer these services to our customers and find a plan that fits their capabilities and operations.”
McCoy Aldinger (pictured at 6 months) was born March 2021.
Once all their crops are harvested and the next year’s crop has been planned and the seed orders have been written, Landon works on projects related to his Aldinger Engineering LLC consulting business. He also spends time “carpet farming” and helping his oldest son, Grady, fix his equipment in their living room. Landon sees signs of a second generation engineer/farmer in his son.
“Grady continues to love all things agriculture and equipment,” says his proud dad. “It is not uncommon for him to head out to the field for a few hours to ride along and ‘help’ any way he can. I love watching his excitement. He was beyond excited for fall 2021. We’ve been counting down the days to harvest!”
There will soon be competition for the buddy seat as Landon and his wife, Kinsey, welcomed their second son in March 2021. “McCoy has been such a blessing to our family,” says Landon. “He is such a happy baby. We can’t wait for him to experience all things farm-related and to see what the future holds for him.”
The Aldingers vacation with their extended family each summer in Brainerd, Minnesota. They enjoy fishing, playing miniature golf, boating and eating ice cream.The Aldingers vacation with their extended family each summer in Brainerd, Minnesota. They enjoy fishing, playing miniature golf, boating and eating ice cream.
In addition to raising kids and crops, the Aldingers also raise cattle and pork. About four years ago, they built a new wean-to-finish hog building.
“The hog barns are a great source for fall fertilizer and offers us an alternative to using commercial fertilizer on some of our farms while improving our soils’ organic matter,” says Landon. “My parents built one hog barn about 15 years ago with the intent of building another one since the property was zoned as a two-barn site,” says Landon. “It made sense for me and Kinsey to build the second hog barn to diversity our farm income. Producing cattle and pork, the seed dealership, chemical sales, plus consulting helps us diversify.”
In celebration of October Pork Month, today Landon and Kinsey are sharing one of their favorite pork recipes for Sausage & Squash Soup
Lansinks Celebrate 30 Years in Latham Seed Business
Some folks say December is the most wonderful time of the year. But if you ask these Iowa farmers, they’ll tell you they prefer the harvest season complete with a splendor of autumn colors.
“Our favorite time of the year is fall because we work all year for the harvest,” says Tammy Lansink, who has farmed with her husband, Dennis, for 42 years. They’re the third generation to farm the home place.
The Lansink Family
Growing up on a farm in western Iowa, Dennis Lansink knew he wanted to be a farmer by the time he was in high school. He started his own cattle project when he was in 4-H. He was active in FFA while he was in high school and began raising hogs a few years later. Upon graduating from high school in 1977, Dennis began farming with his father. They raised corn, soybeans, and alfalfa together until 1994. When his dad semi-retired, Dennis’ brother, Doug, joined the farming operation.
Dennis continues to raise cattle. He has switched from a cow-calf operation to backgrounding cattle. He purchases the calves when they’re between 400 and 500 pounds and feeds them until they’re about 900 to 1,000 pounds.
The JD 4020 being used to feed cattle is the first John Deere tractor that Dennis’ father purchased in 1970 and it’s still used today.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Dennis becoming a Latham® seeds dealer. He became a dealer in 1991 to stay abreast of new products and to also purchase his own seed at a discounted price. What he has since learned is that it’s more than that.
“After years of planting Latham brand soybeans and watching their performance in my fields, as well as growing Latham seed beans, I knew Latham quality was consistent and high performing,” says Dennis. “With encouragement from one of my friends who was a Latham dealer in a nearby town, I decided to become a seed dealer. Being a family owned and operated business, Latham Seeds appealed to me. It has been a good fit for our farming operation. I also like that Latham purchases different seed traits from other companies, which provides my customers and myself with more choices.”
The Lansinks spend as much time as possible with their family. Dennis and Tammy are the proud parents of four adult children: Christopher, Callie, Courtney and Cara. During this season of life, they’re especially enjoying watching their 11 grandchildren participate in sports and other activities. They also enjoy the regular euchre and marble games they play with Dennis’ 89-year-old mother, Leila.
When he can find the time, Dennis enjoys riding his motorcycle and golfing. He also enjoys participating in tractor rides. Dennis’ favorite tractor is a John Deere 4320, which he restored a few years ago and enjoys taking on rides. Another special tractor is the JD 4020, which was the first John Deere tractor that Dennis’ dad purchased in 1970. The family still uses it today to feed cattle.
Dennis’ favorite tractor is the JD 4320. He had it restored years ago and enjoys taking it on tractor rides.
Speaking of feeding… Tammy is responsible for feeding a hungry crew. Because she’s also a full-time grain cart operator during harvest, she likes hearty meals that are easy to prep ahead of time. Today she is sharing with us one of her family’s favorite recipes for Cheeseburger Soup.
Coming Back from Childhood Cancer, One Step at a Time
Watching their daughter win grand champion bucket calf at the 2021 O’Brien County Fair brought tears of joy to Jerry and Sara Hofman’s face. They had their eye on the prize, but their joy didn’t stem from ribbons or trophies. Not only did Gaupo the steer have to learn how to lead in the show ring, but their 11-year-old daughter had to learn how to walk again after battling cancer for the past two and half years, including nearly nine months of cancer treatments and hospitalization.
The Hofman Family
Jewel Hofman was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, the most common cancer that starts in the bones, in April 2020. Her left leg was amputated below the knee on July 31, 2020. After the surgery, Jewel came home for a few weeks before she underwent months of chemotherapy at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City.
“It was so amazing to see Jewel lead that calf into the ring with a smile on her face because she hadn’t walked for such a long time,” explains Sara Hofman. “She was in bed basically every day from the time she started chemo in April 2020 until chemo ended in January 2021. She didn’t have the energy to even try walking on her prosthetic leg until March of this year.”
While many people across the world felt stressed by navigating daily life during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Hofman family was trying to figure out how to care for cattle in their feedlot, pigs in their nursery, crops, and all five of their children during a health crisis.
“Jewel received treatments for three out of four weeks in Iowa City. We live five hours away, so Jewel had to stay in Iowa City,” said Jerry. “Because of Covid, only one parent was allowed in the hospital room at a time. Sarah and I would take turns staying with Jewel. Sara would stay for one week, and I would stay home. Then we would switch.”
Sara adds, “We would meet outside the door of the hospital and hug each other tight as we make the switch. Then I would drive back home alone. It was so tough being apart. Jewel’s siblings couldn’t visit her in the hospital due Covid restrictions. It was tough on the younger two because Jewel and Lily were inseparable before her treatment, and Dirk is close to Jewel because he’s just one year younger.”
The Hofman’s oldest son, Titan, took over the day-to-day operations of the farm in 2020. At that time, he was a 20-year-old, full-time student, studying Agribusiness at Iowa Lakes Community College. He made time to plant and harvest the family’s corn and soybean crops that year. Their middle son, Colt, joined the Army when he was 18. He was in basic training in July 2020 when Jewel had her amputation.
The Hofman family is in a different place now. Titan and Nicole were married on May 21, 2021. They live nearby, and Titan is driving semi plus farming some of his own ground, as well as farming with Jerry and Sara. Colt has returned home and is working for an electrician. Lily has started her junior year of high school, and Dirk is in the fourth grade. Jewel is making strides in fifth grade.
Although she is back in school and her hair is growing back, Jewel’s journey with cancer will continue for the rest of her life. Families of childhood cancer patients will tell you they learn to appreciate the mountains because you never know when you’ll experience another valley. Every three months the Hofmans will travel to Iowa City for scans and tests to ensure Jewel has no active cancer. Rather than be filled with the fear of the unknown, they choose to live life filled with hope and joy.
A CaringBridge Site was created for Jewel. It‘s a caring social network to help people stay connected with family and friends during a health event. Follow along with her journey at teamjeweljade on CaringBridge.
Blessings Abound
“Many people go through tough times without the comfort of knowing their Lord and Savior or having support from their family and their community,” says Jerry. “We can’t thank everyone enough for their help and support. We have been tremendously blessed.”
One answered prayer was finding a physical therapist within driving distance who could help Jewel gain strength and learn to walk on her prosthetic leg.
“I was really nervous when I called the local hospital because we live in rural Northwest Iowa. What are the odds that the type of physical therapist Jewel needed would work there?” says Sara. “I was told, ‘We have exactly what Jewel needs.’ Samantha, whose husband is a bilateral amputee, made an immediate connection with Jewel. She knew exactly what Jewel needed, and Jewel worked hard to make Samantha proud.”
Some might say it was coincidence that a physical therapist married to a bilateral amputee worked just 20 miles away from the Hofmans, but they believe it was meant to be. Another Godwink occurred when twin calves were born, making a perfect candidate for a bucket calf project.
Jerry’s parents raise about 40 cow-calf pairs. When their first cow to calve had twins in March 2021, the bull calf was pulled off and bottled. Once Jewel returned home from the hospital, she visited Guapo every day and began bottle-feeding him. (Guapo, which means “handsome” in Spanish, is the main character in the movie “Ferdinand.” The family also owns a bull named Ferdinand.) Jewel’s brother Dirk helped her break Guapo to lead and give him baths.
“Gaupo has been the friend Jewel needed. She talks to him and he listens without giving her advice. He also gave her a reason to learn how to walk on her prosthetic leg because she was determined to show him at the county fair,” Jerry said. “Jewel plans to show Gaupo again next summer as a market steer, and Dirk plans to show a bucket calf at the county fair.”
Jewel bottle-feeding Guapo.
Life Marches On
Life at the Hofman house is returning to its seasonal fall rhythm as the kids have returned to school and the crops are maturing. Jerry is caring for the feeder cattle daily. Sara has returned to the day-to-day management of a nursery that was built just two years ago.
From the outside, it looks like the Hofman family has returned to life as normal.
“When a cancer patient’s hair grows and he or she looks healthy on the outside, people think this person is all better,” says Sara. “Different cancers require different treatments. Jewell got the worst of the worst because her cancer is so rare and so serious. The side effects of chemo are brutal. Jewel still struggles.”
During Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month in September, you can help the Hofman family educate others about childhood cancer by sharing facts and stats on social media. Another way to help is by following Latham® dealer Kyle Schminke and his daughter Sarah on Sunday, October 10, as they run in the Chicago Marathon to raise funds for the University of Iowa Dance Marathon (UIDM).
The UIDM has pledged $5 million to the 11th floor of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital that was named the University of Iowa Dance Marathon Pediatric Cancer Center. (The 11th 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.
The Schminkes will be running with a list of 26 names of children on their arms. Jewel’s name will be one of their “mile motivators.” Sarah knows that looking down at the names on her arm will be the motivation she needs to keep running and to finish strong. #Jewelstrong.
“We can’t thank Dance Marathon enough,” says Jerry. “While Jewel was in the hospital, a guy ran for 24 hours straight. He spelled out the names of kids as he ran, and Jewel was one of the names he spelled. We appreciated that so much. We also had wristbands made with Jewel’s name. One lady wore that wristband when she traveled to D.C. to advocate for childhood cancer. Their support means so much.”
In honor of September as Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, today we’re sharing one of the Hofman family’s favorite recipes.
Building Homes and Bringing Hope to Mexico and Beyond
Like a line from Robert Frost’s poem, Latham® Dealer Mike Van Zee of Pella, Iowa, “took the road less traveled and it has made all the difference.” He has helped make a difference in the lives of people in low-economic regions of the United States, Niger, and Mexico.
“From the time I was 17, I’ve been blessed to take week-long mission trips,” says Mike. “It’s a pleasure to make a difference in someone’s life. Constructing houses with a group of friends and high school students is such a rewarding experience. We humbly serve and interact with the wonderful families we build houses for. We provide a great home for them and change their economic outlook. They show their gratitude by serving us an authentic Mexican meal with lots of hugs and smiles.”
Mike has traveled to Mexico for nine of the past 11 years through Third Church. More than a decade ago a partnership formed between Door of Faith Orphanage (DOFO) in La Misión, Mexico, and Third Church in Pella, Iowa, where Mike’s wife, Myra, works as Finance and Administrative Leader.
The Van Zee family’s involvement in the mission trip evolved from Mike serving as a youth leader, who chaperoned the high school ministry trips. He has had the opportunity to chaperone his daughters, too.
Mike and Evalee on her first mission trip.Mike and Ella during her first mission trip.
“I went on three mission trips to the Door of Faith Orphanage while I was in high school,” says Ella Van Zee, Mike and Myra’s oldest daughter. “The first two trips were in the summers with my church. The third trip was just my dad and me. We went to surprise my friend Samariha. We also helped repair some lights near the cross that overlooks the orphanage after they had been damaged in a wildfire. These trips have helped me grow deeper in my love for God while serving the kids at DOFO and the community of La Misión.”
Stud with inspirational message.
Teams of 50 to 70 high school students and adults from the Pella, Iowa, area usually fly each summer into San Diego, California. They cross the Tijuana border with a mission of “building relationships, one house at a time.” They typically build two to four homes annually in this bedroom town between Rosarito and Ensenada along the Pacific Ocean.
Door of Faith staff work with local families, who apply for a house through DOFO’s house building ministry. Once approved, a family is required to buy the plot of land and have the concrete slab poured. The mission team from Third Church sends money in advance for DOFO staff to purchase the materials.
The mission team paints siding and prepares trusses at DOFO while a few team members begin the wall layout on the 24 x 30-foot pad on Monday. By Wednesday, roofing and siding begins. Thursday is window and drywall installation. Friday completes the build with a second coat of mud and doors. Then the receiving family will paint, lay flooring, and finish the house after the mission team leaves.
1st John 3:16-17.
“A typical home has three bedrooms, a living space wired for a kitchen area and an attached bathroom,” explains Mike. “Each of our 60-ish team members writes a prayer, scripture or other words or symbols of encouragement on a two-by-four stud. We dedicate the homes with a gift of a Bible, keys, and a broom, which is a symbol of ownership and care taking. This dedication is a reminder to us of our purpose in 1st John 3:16-17.”
“The houses are just the foundation to the relationship,” adds Mike. “Often times, the family helps with the build and offers refreshments. The family usually treats us to an authentic Mexican lunch of tamales or tacos served on handmade tortillas. Each Wednesday night during the mission trip, the Third Church team hosts a mini reunion at La Mission church. This meal consists of American favorites like hamburgers and hot dogs, cake, and ice cream The cakes are made at the Door of Faith Orphanage bakery, a small business that helps children learn life skills.”
The Mission Continues Despite Pandemic
Although the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic has prevented Third Church from hosting mission trips for the past two years, the Van Zee family was able to complete a mission of its own in July 2021.
The Van Zee family in Mexico.
“Our oldest daughter, Ella, had a wonderful opportunity to serve as an intern with Door of Faith Orphanage,” says Mike. “Our family surprised Ella with a visit to Mexico at the end of her internship. We worked alongside a construction crew for three days to replace a roof on a shelter. While Ella stayed true to her internship, she provided Myra and her sisters a tour of the orphanage and helped serve a pizza party for the kids on Thursday night.”
A highlight of Ella’s summer internship was getting to spend time with the girls she sponsors.
“It was fun playing with the kids, serving them meals, and helping some of them with a reading program,” says Ella. “One night we got to watch a movie with the kids. That night both girls that I sponsor were sitting next to each other, so I sat in between them. I realized that most people who sponsor a child never get to meet them. They just get a picture or two and maybe a letter if they are lucky. Yet, I was blessed enough to get to sit within arms’ reach of both girls. I got to play with them, read with them, swim with them, and eat meals with them. I feel so blessed that I got to build personal relationships with them.”
With her internship complete, Ella moved to Orange City where she is a freshman at Northwestern College. She is participating in band and choir while pursuing a double major in Secondary Education and Spanish. She plans to become a high school Spanish teacher. Her sister Eliza is a junior in Pella High School; she is active in marching band, jazz band, basketball and soccer. Evalee (pronounced Ev-a-lee) is in eighth grade this year. She is active in band, basketball and soccer. Evalee also enjoys observing crop conditions and joining her dad in the combine during corn harvest.
The Van Zee family invite you to join them next year for a mission trip, with our church group or a team of your friends, to build homes and relationships in other communities. Contact Mike or visit www.trcpella.com
In honor of their trip to Mexico, the Van Zee family is sharing with us their favorite recipe for chicken enchiladas.
With 19 returning starters from last year’s Fiesta Bowl championship team and a #7 ranking in the Associated Press’ preseason poll, Iowa State University (ISU) fans are fired up for the Cyclones’ season opener on Sept. 4. Another highly anticipated game will be played Sept. 11 as part of the annual Cy-Hawk Series.
There have been years – more years than most Cyclone fans want to admit – when the only things that got fired up on Game Day were grills. Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ General Manager Ryan and Meg Schon started honing their tailgating skills 25 years ago when their favorite team didn’t have a hope of post-season play, and “Tailgate Victoriously” became their rally cry.
Among the sea of pickup trucks and campers parked near Jack Trice Stadium, you’ll find creative tailgating vehicles like converted school buses and repurposed ambulances. This year marks the fourth season that Latham® Seeds Dealer Sean Waldstein will host family members and friends for tailgates before the Cyclone football games in a converted ambulance.
This year marks the fourth season that Latham® Seeds Dealer Sean Waldstein will host family members and friends for tailgates before the Cyclone football games in a converted ambulance.
“This year is an exciting step forward for ISU football,” says Sean Waldstein, who grew up cheering for Iowa State as both of his parents are alumni.
Retro logos add flare to the Waldstein tailgate ambulance.
After graduating in 2000 from Sioux Central High School, Sean attended classes at ISU where he completed his undergrad studies in Exercise Science. He volunteered for the ISU football strength program and completed an internship at the University of Wyoming in its strength program. He went on to earn his master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Iowa State. While attending Iowa State, Sean met his wife, Amanda, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from ISU and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Drake University.
The newly married couple made their home in Urbandale, Iowa, where Sean worked as a strength coach for Drake University and then ISU. In 2013, they moved near Lincoln, Nebraska, where Sean worked in corporate wellness and Amanda was able to stay home. In 2017, Sean and Amanda decided to raise their children near family and moved back to Sean’s hometown in Northwest Iowa. Amanda works as a Salesforce administrator / business analyst, and Sean farms with his dad. The Waldstein family grows corn and soybeans, as well as raises pigs.
Retro logos add flare to the Waldstein tailgate ambulance.
In addition, Sean works as a substitute teacher and coaches junior high girls basketball. He drives the bus mostly for the teams he coaches and helps with the school’s weight program. Sean and Amanda are the proud parents of two daughters and one son. Their oldest daughter, Ryleigh, is a freshman in high school and a four-sport athlete. Peyton is in sixth grade, and Evan is in third grade. This active family especially enjoys water sports all summer long.
“Water skiing, barefoot, solemn and wakeboarding… you name it, we do it!” says Sean.
Summer fun transitions into the fall tailgating season. Although Sean wasn’t looking for a tailgating vehicle, the opportunity presented itself.
“The guy who spreads our hog manure had used the ambulance as a service vehicle, but the ambulance no longer fit his needs,” says Sean. After striking a deal for the ambulance, Sean and Amanda got to work on making it suit their needs.
The first tailgating season they painted the outside of the ambulance and cleaned up the inside. The next season they added the 1983 and 1984 Cy logos on the outside. Most recently, a hitch was added to be able to transport a griddle.
Inside the retrofitted Waldstein tailgate ambulance.
“One of my cousins lives in Ames, so we take the ambulance down to her place for the season. On Game Day, our family and my cousin’s family all pile into the ambulance and head to the tailgate,” says Sean. “The ambulance has made tailgating so much more enjoyable because it stores all of our equipment. We don’t have to hassle with unloading tables, chairs, a tent and grill once we get home.”
The whole family piles into the ambulance on Game Day!
In celebration of the fall football season, today Sean is sharing with us one of his family’s favorite tailgating recipes for Pickle Wrap Dip. We’re also linking to several other Game Day recipes, so you can celebrate the season whether you’re sitting on a tailgate in a farm field during fall harvest or outside your favorite football field.
It was another record-breaking weekend at the Iowa State Fair as the 2021 Sale of Champions set a record by raising more than $445,000 for scholarships! The Sale of Champions also broke four records for the highest selling species. The Grand Champion FFA Market Lamb, exhibited by Phoebe Sanders of Eagle Grove, set a new sheep record at $18,500.
The Champion and Reserve Champion animals selected during the Iowa State Fair livestock shows are sold annually during the last Saturday of the fair. The 16 winning exhibitors are asked to raise funds from their hometowns, and then buyers from across the nation put in the remaining funds.
Phoebe Sanders with her 2021 Grand Champion FFA Market Lamb.
“What I love about Iowa and agriculture is you’ll find an outpouring support of people who want to see you succeed,” says Phoebe, who is a junior in Agricultural Business at Iowa State University where she is active in Block & Bridle and Ag Business Club. “I’m so thankful for all the support I’ve received. This year we raised $11,000 to put toward buying my market lamb. Fareway and Lettow Show Pigs paid the remainder of the selling price.”
The Winner’s Circle
Proceeds raised from the annual Sale of Champions fund scholarships offered by the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (IFFA). To be eligible for a Winner’s Circle Scholarship, students must study agriculture in either a two-year college or four-year university in Iowa. Scholarship applications are typically due April 1, and recipients are invited to a picnic held the day of the Sale of Champions.
“My favorite part about leading the Iowa Foundation for Ag Advancement (IFAA) is the Sale of Champions and the academic support we are able to provide to students studying agriculture in Iowa,” says Andrew Lauver, IFAA president. “I love seeing the scholarship recipients line up to receive their scholarships and then viewing the families enter the ring with their champion animals to celebrate their successes through the sale of their animals.”
The Grand Champion FFA Market Lamb, exhibited by Phoebe Sanders of Eagle Grove, set a new sheep record at $18,500.
Phoebe has been both a scholarship recipient and an exhibitor. She received a Winner’s Circle Scholarship in 2019, so she understands first-hand what a difference the IFFA scholarships make to students. She also has raised a significant amount of scholarship dollars for the past three years as she exhibited the Grand Champion FFA Market Lamb in both 2021 and 2020. In 2019, her market lamb was Iowa State Fair Reserve Grand Champion and also sold in the Sale of Champions.
As a Clarion – Goldfield – Dows FFA member, Phoebe started showing lambs seven years ago. She has one more year of state fair eligibility left.
“My favorite thing about the state fair is connecting with friends I haven’t seen for a whole year,” says Phoebe. “Showing animals has allowed me to make so many friends. I’m living in a house (at college) with six girls who I know from showing and none of them are from my hometown.”
Another benefit to showing livestock, says Phoebe, is developing confidence from being in the ring.
“I’m so grateful for my family and the support they give me. Growing up my brother, Denton, has been my mentor. One of my favorite memories was winning showmanship at the American Royal in Kansas City. My brother told me I had to do it even though I was reluctant, and I was glad I stepped outside of my comfort zone.”
Phoebe Sanders in the show ring with her market lamb.
Phoebe adds, “My advice for anyone showing an animal is to make connections and work hard because people will notice that. My family’s motto is to do our chores the best that we can and to work with our animals the best we can. After that, it’s just one man’s opinion.”
That work ethic is paying off for Phoebe both academically and professionally. This summer she worked under grain merchandisers at Gold Eagle Co-op. She also worked as an intern at Rule Sheep Co. in Hawarden. During the summer of 2020, she interned with ISU Extension and Outreach in Wright County. After graduation, Phoebe would like to work in grain merchandising or in ag sales.
In celebration of Phoebe’s Grand Champion Market Lamb, today we’re sharing a recipe from the Iowa Sheep Industry Association’s chili cookoff.
39th Annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show Sets Records
Iowans are known for banding together for a cause, and Iowans have a love affair with the Iowa State Fair. It’s no wonder the 39th Annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show set new records in 2021! Record-breaking crowds of fairgoers are back after the 2020 Iowa State Fair was canceled due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
The 39th annual Governor’s Charity Steer Show on Saturday, August 14, raised approximately $375,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. The 2021 show and subsequent sale broke the previous record by about $80,000. Friends of the Franklin County Cattlemen and the Foster and Evelyn Barkema Charitable Trust now hold records for the highest-selling steer in 2020 at a price of $27,000 and the third highest-selling steer in 2021 at a price of $30,500 for Patriot.
Showing cattle is a family affair. Family members and sponsors who showed up to support Isabella Noelck at the 2021 Governor’s Charity Steer Show on August 14 include, from left to right: Rana Janes, Braden Hansen, Brent Hansen, Brian Hansen, Karli Hansen, Andrew Benning and Maggie Hougland with the Franklin County Cattlemen, Collin Borcherding, Is Noelck, Kristin Noelck, Dennis Vanness of the Foster and Evelyn Barkema Charitable Trust, Rep. Shannon Latham, Isabella Noelck, Reann Noelck and Issiah Noelck.Patriot was the third highest-selling steer in 2021 at a price of $30,500.
Patriot, owned by Isabella Noelck of Hampton, was selected for the Governor’s Charity Steer Show after the smoke crossbred was named Grand Champion Steer and Supreme Market Animal at the 2021 Franklin County Fair. He also competed in the Central Iowa Showdown.
“It was amazing to be a part of the Governor’s Charity Steer Show because it helps so many families and makes such a difference in their lives,” says Noelck, who is the daughter of Is and Kristin Noelck. Isabella will be a senior at Hampton-Dumont High School. She is a class officer and a Student Council member. She also has been active in Tall Corn FFA, volleyball, golf, and St. Peters UCC youth group. In addition, she instituted a kindness campaign in the middle school.
The youth exhibitors competing in the Governor’s Charity Steer Show are the cream of the crop. They’re used to making a difference in their communities, and they appreciate the opportunity to use their passion for showing cattle to help sick children and their families. (Click here for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to prepare for the Governor’s Charity Steer Show.)
Franklin County’s Contribution
The Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association in 1983 joined forces with Gov. Terry Branstad and organized the Governor’s Charity Steer Show (GCSS). At the Governor’s request, the designated charity for the first-time event was the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa. Houses are now located in Des Moines, Iowa City and Sioux City. These facilities house the family members of seriously ill children being treated in area hospitals. Since its inception, the Governor’s Charity Steer Show has generated over $4.1 million – equivalent to more than 270,000 nights stays – in support of Iowa’s Ronald McDonald House chapters. During that same time, nearly 50,000 Iowa families have been served. Additionally, another 8,000 families coming from all 50 states and more than 60 foreign countries have used the Iowa facilities.
“The Governor’s Charity Steer Show is a great way to give to a great cause while promoting the beef industry,” says Andrew Benning, who coordinates fundraising for the steer on behalf of the Franklin County Cattlemen. “Franklin County Cattlemen really appreciate all the support from the community and from the Foster and Evelyn Barkema Charitable Trust. Everyone has been great to work with over the years.”
Shannon Latham and Isabella Noelck show Patriot at the 2021 Governor’s Charity Steer Show.
Foster and Evelyn Barkema set up a trust to support both charitable and educational contributions to public health and public services. The Foster and Evelyn Barkema Charitable Trust in 2015 made its first five-year pledge to the University of Iowa Hospital. That gave Franklin County Cattlemen the idea to inquire with board members for the trust about partnering for the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show.
Ronald McDonald Houses and the families they support hold a special place in the heart of Dennis Vanness, who is a board member for the Foster and Evelyn Barkema Charitable Trust.
“We had a special needs child in the 60s. He had three surgeries at Mayo Clinic. Then we had him evaluated in Iowa City. They didn’t have a Ronald McDonald House then, so we had to scramble to find a place to stay,” says Vanness. “It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that we can help make a difference for families at the Ronald McDonald House.”
Advocating from the Show Ring
I couldn’t agree more. It is a wonderful feeling to combine your passion for doing something you love while lending others a helping hand.
Shannon Latham and Isabella Noelck show Patriot at the 2021 Governor’s Charity Steer Show.
Although I had never shown a steer before, I always have wanted to show one. I spent countless hours hanging out with my friends in the cattle barns at the Butler County Fair and at the Iowa State Fair. As a 10-year 4-H member and a former Iowa State 4-H Council member, I try to live the pledge by using my hands for a larger service “for my club, my community, my country, and my world.” I am passionate about advocating for agriculture and greatly appreciate the opportunity provided by Franklin County Cattlemen, the Barkema Charitable Trust and the Noelck family to advocate in the biggest ring in this state.
Showing livestock is definitely a family affair, and I greatly appreciate the Noelcks for welcoming me into their family on the day of the Governor’s Charity Steer Show. Today they’re sharing with us one of their favorite beef recipes.
