What comes to mind when you hear someone say, “Fourth of July celebration”? My mind automatically thinks about boating at the lake (more like wishful thinking on my part!), potlucks with friends, campfires, and big fireworks that fill the night sky.
The Fourth of July is certainly a time for Americans to relax, unwind and celebrate all of the joys of summer. But, we would be remiss if we didn’t take a moment to reflect upon our nation’s history and to remember those who preserve our freedoms. My heart goes out to all of my friends who have family members deployed this holiday. How selfless they are to put our country first!
Amanda, Rachel and Val. A sister picture taken at Rachel’s deployment ceremony for Kosovo in November 2014.
Did you know that 40% of our service men and women come from rural America, yet only 16% of the U.S. population lives in rural America?
Perhaps more “farm kids” volunteer to serve our great country because they were active in 4-H, pledging their hands to larger service for their community and their world. Perhaps they learned to recite the FFA creed, believing that it’s more honorable to serve the public interest than one’s own self-interest. Both youth organizations emphasize community service.
Posted from KFOR Multinational Battle Group-East
Perhaps nurturing livestock or caring for crops helps develop a worth ethic and compassion, so more rural residents feel compelled to enter the military. After all, “if you grow up in rural America, you know you just can’t take from the land. You have to give something back.” — Keeping it Real through the Lens of Farm Girl
Whatever their reasons, we owe the men and women in uniform a great deal of thanks. Their service allows us to enjoy freedoms including “choice.” For the most part, we can farm the way we want. American farmers can choose the seeds they want to plant, and they can choose to farm with Big Red Power or take a ride in a Big Green Tractor.
This holiday weekend, as we picnic with family and friends, I’ll #thankafarmer for the many food choices available! I’m looking forward to preparing – and tasting – Sweet & Spicy Hog Wild Baked Beans. What can be more “all American” than a recipe that combines apple pie filling and pork? I’ve been intrigued by this recipe ever since Franklin County farmer Val Plagge told me about it.
It’s not uncommon for a dairy farmer to begin milking at 5 AM and then again at 5 PM, but Beth Ingli of Spring Valley, Wisconsin, isn’t your typical dairy farmer. She rises at 5 AM to take care of calves and dry cows. Once the chores are done, she gets ready to work as Store Supervisor and Advertising Director for the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery. After work, she heads back to the barn for evening chores.
“Dairying is in my blood,” says Beth, who has been living on a dairy farm for 49 years. For the past 29 of those years, she’s been working alongside her husband, Craig. The couple is the second generation to live on the family farm, which was purchased in 1957 by Beth’s father-in-law.
The Ingli family from left to right: Celia holding Amelia; Celia’s husband, Brady, is in the green shirt; Beth and Craig; Kay is holding Joel; Kay’s husband, Tom, is wearing a blue shirt; Rick and Erin.
Beth and Craig’s four children – Kay, Celia, Rick and Erin – were active in 4-H. Beth credits that youth organization for helping her kids learn the value of keeping records and setting goals. She has served as a 4-H leader in Pierce County for the past 28 years. She started as a Foods project leader with the Olivet Otters 4-H club, which is the same 4-H club to which she belonged as a youth. Beth then became the club’s general leader. She’s currently serving on the Adult Advisor Council.
“I know from experience that 4-H teaches youth and families how to work together,” says Beth. “The county fair serves as a deadline to get projects, which you’ve been thinking about doing, actually completed. Kids learn to set goals and make a plan to achieve them. Plus, living on a farm teaches work ethic. You have to make sure the animals and crop are taken care of, and that’s a huge responsibility.”
At one time, the Ingli family had 250 entries at the Pierce County Fair! They showed cattle and hogs, as well as exhibited items like foods, photography, field crops, and ceramics. This year Beth is celebrating her 40th year as an exhibitor by “cutting back” to about 10-15 food and photography exhibits.
Beth started showing cattle in 1974. Now her 4-year-old nephew is taking over the Raleigh show box and showing a calf in the “Little Dairyman” class this fall. She also has been bringing the same brownie recipe to the fair for the past 40 years. She has yet to receive a Champion ribbon on the brownies, but all of her children have! Guess Beth can take great pride in being a good teacher. J
In her “free time,” you’ll find Beth whipping up blue-ribbon recipes using dairy products. She’s created many of the recipes featured on the Ellsworth Creamery’s website. (SIDE BAR: My husband’s favorite appetizer is Bacon Wrapped Curds. Give them a try and let me know what you think! Be sure to also check out this recipe for Cheese Curd Apple Pie, which sounds perfectly patriotic and fitting for a Fourth of July picnic.)
Last fall Beth developed an apple turnover, which she says is just too good not to share! She’s sharing that recipe with us today on The Field Position. She’s also sharing links to a few summer picnic ideas, which she recently demonstrated during a television interview onTwin Cities Live:
Guest Blog by Val Plagge Val is a farmer, wife, mom and volunteer discovering “fields of opportunity” in North Iowa. She blogs at Corn, ‘Beans, Pigs and Kids.
I have so many great memories from my childhood of having fun with my family from playing in the creek in our backyard, to going to the State Fair, to visiting National Park across the United States. I want to create some of those great memories for my kids too and that is what I created a Family Summer Bucket List.
One item we have on our Bucket List is to go on an Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip during the month of June in honor of National Dairy Month, by visiting an ice cream destination each week. During Week 1 we stopped at one of our all-time favorite summer ice cream stands, The Whippy Dip in Decorah. The Whippy Dip is a seasonal walk-up stand that serves creamy and rich soft serve ice cream, along with a lunch and snack menu. A neat side note is that The Whippy Dip sources its milk from a local dairy. You wouldn’t expect anything different in Iowa’s dairy country!
The Whippy Dip keeps its ice cream simple by offering only vanilla and chocolate flavors and then letting you make your dish unique by providing many mix-ins. I personally always go for a Cookie Dough Tornado with chocolate ice cream (think Dairy Queen’s Blizzard – but better!). They double layer the delicious chocolate soft serve with real cookie dough (not the cookie dough balls found at other ice cream places. I’m talking about a scoopful of real cookie dough so you can have some in every bite) and mix it up. Then they add a little extra cookie dough on top!
During Week 2 we visited Hansen’s Farm Fresh Dairy outside of Hudson. We thought it would be good to have a first-hand look at the process and story behind our ice cream. Hansen’s Farm has been in Iowa for around 150 years and currently the 6th generation owns and operates the farm, with the 7th generation growing up and living on the farm. Twelve years ago when 5th generation owners and operators, Jay and Jeanne Hansen, saw that four of their children wanted to come back to the farm they knew they needed a way to add value to their family dairy farm, so the 6th generation that wanted to come back to the farm could, and that is how the on-farm creamery began. In November of 2002 construction began on the creamery and in February of 2004 the creamery produced its first gallon of milk.
Hansen’s Dairy sells a variety of products including milk, cheese curds, butter and over 30 flavors of ice cream! What we love about their ice cream is that it’s very rich and thick. You can buy Hansen’s Dairy products (including their delicious ice cream) at many locations across the Northeast quadrant of Iowa, or if you are ever in the Waterloo area I recommend you going to their Moo Roo ice cream store or their Dairy Outlet store, or head out to the actual Dairy Farm. They have products available at their tour center.
And today during Week 3 of our Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip we are heading to the ultimate ice cream destination, “The Ice Cream Capital of the World” Le Mars, Iowa, for Ice Cream Days. We are excited to see everything Blue Bunny and of course have some delicious ice cream!
So if this hasn’t made you crave ice cream yet, maybe this will, my family’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream recipe!
“I went through somewhat of a cottage cheese culture shock from 2005-2008 when I moved to the Twin Cities for a few years and had to fill up on my favorite AE product every time I came home, blogs Kristin. ”Nothing in the grocery stores up there compared to the pure taste and luscious texture of AE’s cottage cheese, which I simply adore, so I was beyond excited to sit down with the president and CEO of the third generation, family-owned business, Miriam Erickson Brown last month to tour the plant and taste some dairy!
Kristin Porter touring the AE Dairy with president and CEO Miriam Erickson Brown.
Great taste is the goal, but Erickson Brown says an unyielding focus on quality is a requirement. All of the raw milk used by AE Dairy comes from Iowa family farms and is tested for purity. The turnaround time from raw milk delivery to grocery store shelves is anywhere from 24 to 48 hours, and the shelf life is relatively short. Other dairies heat their milk to extend shelf life, AE Dairy does because that affects the taste.
Doesn’t this recipe sound perfect for a summer brunch or a picnic in the park? I’m certainly looking forward to trying it! What’s your favorite way to enjoy dairy?
Cristen Clark (aka @FoodSwineIowa on Twitter) describes herself as “a born and raised Iowa farm girl with a passion for baking timeless recipes and sharing my love of the kitchen with others. Memories made in the kitchen are some of the most vivid of mine and certainly the most treasured. I am an avid contest cook and baker but most importantly a stay-at-home mom with two children.”
What I love about this description is how modest she is! During the 2013 Iowa State Fair alone, Cristen won the Nostalgic Comfort Food competition and placed First Overall in the King Arthur Yeast Rolls competition. Cristen also won the Sweepstakes honors for most first place entries; she placed first in 5 individual classes of yeast rolls alone! Her most coveted win during last year’s fair, however, was the Kenmore Honored Harvest Time Recipe Contest.
“Growing up and still working on the family farm, I have many food and harvest time memories. My uncle artfully and meticulously maintains our massive family garden and every vegetable in this dish came from it,” wrote Cristen in her contest entry. “This recipe combines the childhood memories of making pasta with my Grandma Madeline, the appreciation of ingredients that are carefully grown and a desire to use them in a thoughtful, simplistic way.
My favorite times in the kitchen with my grandma were making fresh pasta. I loved to watch her make the dough and help her crank the manual machine. She has the hands of a frontier woman, and the humbleness of a woman who had struggled through The Great Depression. It made me see cooking and baking experiences as so much more fun when shared, that in and above all I will write today is the most important thing.
With memories like these, combined with a unique and creative use of fresh vegetables, it’s no wonder Cristen took home first place honors in Kenmore’s cooking contest! She also took home a Kenmore kitchen makeover and earned trip to New York City where last October she joined some of the nation’s top chefs to serve up her award-winning dish at the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival.
Five home cooks traveled last October to the Big Apple where their grand prize-winning recipes were served during the New York City Wine & Food Festival. Iowa’s own Cristen Clark is pictured at right with TV personality Ty Pennington, former host of Extreme Home Makeover; Jill Gilber, another grand prize winner, is pictured at left.
This mother of an active 5-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old son also helps her father raise row crops, as well as works with family members to raise pork and cattle. To learn more about pig chores and animal antics, follow Cristen’s Food and Swine blog. She said she started blogging in November 2013 primarily for three reasons: (1) to create an online scrapbook of family memories and farm history for her children; (2) to “force” herself to actually write down the recipes she creates; and (3) and of course, to help provide understanding between farmers and consumers.
Why Merlot Candied Bacon Sliders? Cristen writes, “The recipe I came up with was not without some creativity, mostly due to the parameters that it could only be 5 total ingredients in addition to the beef and the roll it was on. So in essence, 7 total ingredients. The recipe had to be a great reflection of our lovely state of Iowa and fit into a wine-centered event.”
Cristen shares her winning recipe below. Also check out her blog post about the Caesar Sliders, which I plan to make very soon! What’s your favorite way to enjoy sliders?
Tyler and his wife, Dani, recently returned to the Wynthein’s family farm in Fayette County. They’re raising crops and cattle with Tyler’s parents, David and Leslie.
It’s been said that a bad day of fishing beats a good day at work. So what can be said about the family who’s lucky enough to live near two trout streams and in between rolling green hills where cow-calf pairs graze contentedly?
“There are just so many things we enjoy about living here,” says Leslie Wynthein, who spent her childhood living in and around cities including Los Angeles, Dallas and Chicago. “It’s very different from my childhood, but I can’t imagine raising our family anyplace else. We have made so many great memories here. When our children were younger, they learned to entertain themselves. They could engage in creative play. They never had to worry about being bored because there is always something to do on a farm. As a result, they developed a strong work ethic and all of them enjoy being outside.”
The rolling hills that serve as a backdrop to the Wynthein’s farm (pronounced Win-thee-in) remind David of the countryside where his family raised feeder cattle and crops outside St. Charles, Illinois. After David graduated from high school, they relocated to northeast Iowa because urban sprawl was encroaching their farmland.
“I’ve always enjoyed farming,” said David. “For a while I considered becoming a veterinarian, but then I decided against it because I was afraid it would take me away from what I really enjoy doing and that’s working on my own farm.”
Instead David chose to major in Animal Science at Iowa State University. His high school sweetheart, Leslie, also made the move to Ames and earned a degree in Horticulture. They were married in 1977, moved to Volga and bought their first five cows in 1978. They moved to their current home near Arlington about 25 years ago. Today, they feel blessed to live just five miles away from David’s 89-year-old mother. Plus their son Tyler and his wife, who are expecting their first baby in late June, live just a stone’s throw away.
While it may not sound surprising that one of their four children would return to the family farm, Tyler took an uncommon path before making his way back home. He worked summers first as a wrangler and then as assistant camp director and assistant program director for Beartooth Mountain Christian Ranch in Fishtail, Montana. During the winter months, Tyler took classes in Ag Business at Northeast Iowa Technical College in Calmar. He graduated from Calmar in 2007 with a degree in Ag Business before furthering his education at Montana Bible College. There he met the love of his life, Dani, who was also earning her degree in Biblical Studies. After they were married, Tyler worked full-time for a farmer in Bozeman.
“I’ve always enjoyed farming. I found myself wondering why I was farming for someone else when I could be farming with my own family,” said Tyler. “As much as Dani and I love Montana and its beautiful scenery, we decided to return to Iowa and to the place where we want to raise our children.”
Montana remains a state that’s near and dear to the entire Wynthein family. David and Leslie enjoy traveling there to visit their three children and their families. The Wynthein’s oldest daughter, Laura, and her husband, Jeramy, met at Beartooth Christian Camp in Fishtail. Jeramy has been on staff there since 2007 and is currently camp director. Laura was food service director from 2004 to 2009, and then family became her primary focus. She and Jeramy have three children ages 5, 3 and 6 months.
David and Leslie’s youngest son, Matthew, is currently the program director at Beartooth. He has been part of the summer camp team since 2010 and also spent three months in the Middle East among Syrian Refugees. Their oldest son, Benjamin, met his wife, Cristi, in Montana. They’re raising their four children – ages 7, 5, 3 and 1 – in Fishtail where he manages a ranch plus operates his own repair and spraying business.
Outside of traveling and spending time with their family, David and Leslie enjoy hunting and riding their Goldwing motorcycle. Leslie also enjoys gardening, reading, refinishing furniture and spending time in the kitchen. As a proud beef producer and an avid baker, today Leslie is sharing two of her favorite recipes below.
Matt Wyatt of Reinbeck in Northeast Iowa is planting his fourth crop, but it’s the first time he’s been able to do so without having to check his email frequently or field phone calls. In April, he left his job as claims supervisor for Rain & Hail Agricultural Insurance. It was a position he had enjoyed for 18 years, but he left so he could fully enjoy this new season of life.
“I like knowing I’ll be home every night. I like working with my dad, and I’m looking forward to working with my children,” says Matt, the fourth generation of Wyatts to farm near Hudson. In addition to raising corn and soybeans, he and his father also have an early wean-to-finish pork operation.
Matt admits that being alone with his thoughts for a good part of the day took a little getting used to. Now he enjoys spending time outside where the birds sing and his phone isn’t incessantly “chirping.” He can concentrate on doing the day’s job plus plan for the future.
“Even if they don’t decide to pursue farming, I want my children to have an appreciation for the process,” adds Matt. “I want them to experience a feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day, knowing the work that was done is all a part of something bigger.”
Frank Wyatt has been a Latham® dealer for nearly 20 years. His youngest son, Matt, is returning to the family farm and will plans to join the dealership for the 2015 sales year.
Matt graduated in 1996 from Iowa State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business with a minor in Agronomy. It’s also where he met his wife, Chelsea, who stays busy with her children’s school and community activities. The couple are the proud parents of two sons and a daughter: Cael, 14, recently got his permit. He enjoys wrestling and track. Aiden, 12, enjoys soccer, baseball and football. Ava, 9, has been taking dance lessons since she was 3. She also enjoys soccer.
Community involvement and education are a common interest for this couple. Chelsea organizes the community soccer program and chairs the local parent-teacher association. Matt has coached the community’s youth wrestling program plus serves as assistant coach for Ava’s soccer team. Matt also is president of the Gladbrook-Reinbeck School Board and active in his local church. In addition, Matt and his father, Frank, are active in the Masonic Lodge.
In their free time, the Wyatts enjoy cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones. Matt enjoys golfing, and Chelsea enjoys taking family vacations to the beach.
Today, in honor of the pork they produce and the tropical vacations they enjoy, the Wyatts are sharing a family favorite recipe.
“It’s rare that I make the same thing twice, but this recipe is great for tailgating and entertaining,” says Chelsea. “You can whip it up the night before, it feeds a lot of people and is always a hit!
Earlier this week as I was trying to find time this week to buy Mother’s Day cards – in between writing agronomic articles, doing radio interviews, racing against the rain to get flowers and trees planted, plus chauffeuring kids to baseball, basketball and horseback riding lessons. It made me think to myself, “Mother’s Day definitely was not created by someone who makes their living off the land.”
May is a harried time of year for Midwest farm families. That’s why I applaud Monsanto for announcing the 2014 Farm Mom of the Year the week leading up to Mother’s Day; it helps make sure farm women get the recognition they deserve. Five regional winners are selected annually in this contest, and each regional winner’s receives a $5,000 prize. All five are then entered into the national contest, and the winner receives an additional $5,000 prize. I’d like to give a special shout-out to two regional “Farm Mom of the Year” winners from Iowa, Stephanie Essick and April Hemmes!
Stephanie Essick,Midwest Farm Mom of the Year.
All “Farm Moms” do so much for their farms, their families and their communities. It’s fitting that they’re celebrated and honored this Mother’s Day.
Have you ever thought about the origin of Mother’s Day? A quick Google® search informed me that 2014 is the 100th celebration of Mother’s Day. Ironically, the origins of Mother’s Day aren’t nearly as beautiful as the colorful magazine spreads filled with ideas for brunches, gifts and cards to shower those special women in our lives with love and appreciation.
Mother’s Day had it’s beginnings in the 1850s when West Virginia women’s organizer Ann Reeves Jarvis held Mother’s Day work clubs to improve sanitary conditions and lower infant mortality by fighting disease and curbing milk contamination. The groups also tended wounded soldiers from both sides during the U.S. Civil War from 1861 to 1865.
Largely due to the efforts of Jarvis’ daughter, Anna, Mother’s Day was observed in a growing number of cities and states. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson in 1914 officially set aside the second Sunday in May for the holiday. When the holiday went commercial, its greatest champion Anna Jarvis, literally gave everything to fight it. She died penniless and her efforts were somewhat in vain as Mother’s Day is now the year’s most popular holiday for dining out. It’s also an important Hallmark holiday.
But there’s really no need to spend lots of money to give Mom what she really wants this Mother’s Day. As a mother of two, all I really want is permission to slow down and take a little “time out.” In our busy, scheduled lives, I’d relish one Sunday afternoon without having to be someplace by a certain time. (Isn’t it amazing how many ball games happen on Sundays?) A nap or even just two hours to watch a movie of my choice, uninterrupted, would be icing on the proverbial cake.
Give Mom what she really wants… the gift of time. Here are some ideas on how you could treat your wife or mother to time off: make brunch reservations, plan a special tea party, create a special card or simply play board games as a family. Maybe you could spend a few hours on Sunday afternoon hunting for asparagus and mushrooms. Today I’m sharing a recipe that takes advantage of fresh asparagus and honors #MayBeefMonth. Enjoy!
The Claghorn family, of Milo, Iowa, raises Thoroughbreds that race primarily at Prairie Meadows in Altoona. Pictured from left to right are Alan and Karey with their daughters Erin (the tallest one) and Emily (the youngest).
As part of Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ sponsorship of the Cyclone Charity Stripe, we get the pleasure of attending the Kentucky Derby Gala at Prairie Meadows Racetrack in Altoona, Iowa. A highlight of the evening will be recognizing all of the cancer survivors in the crowd, including both of my in-laws. Another highlight will be the opportunity to mug for the camera with our state’s three Division I basketball coaches, who participate in this Coaches vs. Cancer event.
Proceeds from the Coaches vs. Cancer Kentucky Derby Gala support the American Cancer Society’s mission to eliminate cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. How fitting this event is held at Prairie Meadows as everyone loves to bet on a winner, and the American Cancer Society certainly has a great track record!
In light of this weekend’s big events, I thought it would be particularly interesting to interview a Thoroughbred breeder for today’s TheFieldPosition blog post. Thankfully, Alan and Karey Claghorn of Otter Creek Farm in southern Warren County graciously obliged. You may recall Karey served as Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture before resigning in 2001 to become Chief Operating Officer of the Iowa Soybean Association.
Both Karey and Alan grew up riding horses, mostly for pleasure and trail riding. As an adult, Alan started showing Arabians and Foxtrotters. When they moved from Indiana and bought an Iowa farm in 1995, Alan discovered the Iowa bred program for Thoroughbred racing at Prairie Meadows. He studied Thoroughbred genetics, and about 15 years ago, the Claghorns became seriously involved with raising race horses.
“Raising and/or owning a horse that races at the Kentucky Derby is the ultimate goal for everyone in the Thoroughbred world,” says Karey. “Only the 20 most elite two-year-olds race in the Derby every year. Think about it… nearly 22,000 Thoroughbred foals are born every year and only the top 20 of that class will make it to the Derby. Those are some long odds! Nevertheless, many continue the pursuit.”
“The ceremony and the excitement around the Derby are unlike any other horse race in the world,” adds Karey. “After all, it is the Super Bowl of horse racing! But I can honestly tell you that watching any horse race is exciting. The sheer beauty of the horses, coupled with their athletic abilities, amazes me every time I watch horses being saddled. It is especially exciting if you own one of the horses and doubly exciting if you have raised that horse and watched it develop from the day it was born.”
The Claghorns’ program focuses on Iowa-breds, so their horses race mainly at Prairie Meadows in Altoona. They occasionally send a horse to some other tracks in Minnesota, Indiana or Texas.
Nearly 22,000 Thoroughbred foals are born every year and only the top 20 of that class will make it to the Derby. Those are some long odds!
“When one of our horses is racing, I get nervous. My heart pounds, and I worry about it getting hurt,” says Karey. “I want it to have a good, clean ride. A certain amount of every race’s outcome is luck: Did the horse get off to a good start? Did another horse bump your horse? Did the jockey ride correctly by either holding them back or letting them run wide open? There are so many variables that affect the outcome of a race.”
Although a horse race may last for only 60 seconds, years of preparation go into getting those horses “race ready.” A filly that was born earlier this week at Otter Creek Farm, for example, will go into training for the next three years before she ever makes it to the gate for a race. As you watch a race, remember someone has been very committed to getting every horse race ready – win or lose!
“A good friend told us years ago that horse racing is not for the faint of heart,” says Karey. “But having said that, it can be incredibly rewarding! The Iowa-bred program is very important to us and many owners. The Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association is very supportive of new folks getting involved. If you’re interested in getting involved in horse racing, go to the ITBOA website for contact information or head to the track and ask questions!”
Not only is April through August racetrack season in Iowa, it’s also gardening season. Soon rhubarb and strawberries will be ready for picking, which means we can all enjoy these in-season fruits. Karey says her family often requests Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie, and today she’s sharing her recipe with us.
Train Wreck Puts Iowa Family Farm on Track for Success
Winemakers and managers of Train Wreck Winery in Algona in front of beautiful mural by Algona art instructor Tong-Uk Yi.
Serving up a ham, turkey breast or sweet potatoes this holiday weekend? It pairs nicely with award-winning Gandy Dancer, says winemaker Steve Larson of Train Wreck Winery.
Of course, a winemaker might be a bit biased. But you don’t just have to take Steve’s word for it! Wine enthusiasts from across the world last month voted Gandy Dancer as a top wine at the Consumer Wine Awards in Lodi, California.
Gandy Dancer, a semi-sweet white wine made with Seyval Blanc grapes with notes of pineapple and stone fruit, brought home the bronze from The Consumer Wine Awards showcase. The Gold Medal from this competition also went to Train Wreck Winery for its Orphan Train, a semi-sweet blush wine made from Frontenac Gris (prounced “gree”).
“We’re really breaking new ground within the Iowa wine industry,” explains Steve. “Grapes like Cabernet have been used for thousands of years to make wine. But grapes like Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay die at 3°F. That’s why Iowa wineries, including Train Wreck, make wines from hybrid grapes that can grow here. We’re making wine using grapes varieties that are just 5, 10, or 15 years old. As a result, our customers have access to new, exciting wines they can’t get in other regions.”
Just yesterday it was announced that Orphan Train won gold at the World Wine Championships for 2014 Best Iowa Rosé Wine. It earned an “exceptional” rating with 90 points. This wine is described as “aromas of warm apricot compote and buttery pralines with a silky, fruity medium-to-full body and a tangy sour cherry and blood orange accented finish. A delicious, appetizing rosé that dances to its own beat.” If that doesn’t make you want a drum, what will?
Orphan Train also earned a Silver Medal and Caboose earned a Bronze Medal just a few weeks ago during the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition in upstate New York where 75 of the world’s top judges from 20 countries reviewed 3,756 entries.
“Train Wreck Winery has gone up against a lot of well-known and amazing wineries this year at several major competitions,” says Steve. “Competitions are important to us because they provide objective evaluations, and we need that because it’s easy for us to like what we’ve created. It’s more important that our wines appeal to consumers’ palettes.”
Yesterday I had the pleasure of sitting down with Steve and his wife, Jean, inside their cozy tasting room, which is fittingly located in the historic Chicago North Western Railroad Station in Algona, Iowa. The depot’s original terrazzo flooring and oak woodwork have been restored to their natural brilliance. Algona High School art teacher Tong-Uk Yi painted two murals inside the building, depicting the importance of the early rail lines. Sheila Bennett of Ottosen made beautiful stained-glass windows with a grapevine design.
Although it appears there was a grand plan to theme the vineyard and tasting room around the railroad, Steve says serendipity really played a larger role. Steve’s son-in-law, Dallas Clark, had purchased his family’s Century farm in 2006 and was looking for a way to add value. Dallas researched grapes and planted a 1.5-acre vineyard in 2008. A natural outgrowth of that was to make the grapes into wine. Because the vineyard is adjacent to the site of a famous train wreck on the old Minneapolis-St. Louis Rail Line, they decided to name their winery Train Wreck.
In January 2005, Dallas saw the decrepit state of the old train depot in Algona. Windows were broken and pigeons were nesting inside. He purchased the property and work began to preserve the community’s historical landmark. Meanwhile, thoughts were underway to build a winery on the farm. In early 2011, the family decided to establish the winery – in the interim – at the depot. Finishing touches were made to the structure, and the winery opened December 20, 2011. The depot worked so well that thoughts were abandoned to build a winery in the country.
Growing up on an Iowa family farm certainly helped prepare them for this 24/7 labor of love, say Steve and Jean. Other life experiences helped prepare them, as well. While Steve’s Army Reserve unit was stationed in Germany, he enjoyed small-town wine festivals. It inspired him to begin making his own wine from kits.
After returning from a tour of duty in Iraq, Steve used the GI bill to take wine making classes at Des Moines Area Community College. He was fortunate that Snus Hill Winery opened its doors to DMACC students, so he was able to gain some real-life tasting room experience there. He also had the opportunity to learn how to care for mature vines from Wilbert and Martha Rittmueller at Lavendar Crest Winery.
Outside the vineyard and winery, the Larsons enjoy spending time with their family. Their oldest son, Eric, is Train Wreck’s distributor for Central Iowa. He and his wife, Becky, have an 18-month old son. Their youngest son, Jeff, is a deputy for Dallas County. He and his wife, Shaunna, have a six-month-old son. Their daughter, Karen, and Dallas have 2 boys, ages 5 and 3.
When families get together or large groups gather, you can bet the Larson will be serving up Train Wreck. They also host “Sangria Saturday” in the depot. You also can enjoy sangria from the comfort of your own home, or make a batch to share at summer picnics. The longer sangria sits, the better it gets! Sangria is easy to make, and it’s even appealing to those who “really aren’t that into wine.” Special thanks to the Larsons for sharing their sangria recipe with us on TheFieldPosition!
