Farmers Grow Communities Grant Benefits Sibley Co. FoodShare
From left to right: Farmers David and Rhonda Stenzel, Latham® seed dealer Tom Maiers of Stewart, FoodShare coordinator Jacki Kruggel and ShannonLatham
David and Rhonda Stenzel, who farm in rural Winthrop, Minnesota, were selected as winners in Sibley County for America’s Farmers Grow Communities. Sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program helps farmers support local organizations that are important to them.
The Stenzels chose to direct this $2,500 donation to Sibley County FoodShare because they know there are residents in their home county struggling to put food on their tables. A report issued last fall by the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows one in 10 Minnesota households doesn’t have access to enough food for healthy living.
While Minnesota is doing better than the national average of 14.5 percent, the state’s numbers for food insecure families are at an all-time high. The statewide trend is evident in Sibley County where FoodShare coordinator Jacki Kruggel says there is high demand for emergency and supplemental food supplies.
“We serve about 200 families each month through FoodShare,” says Kruggel. “Demand is especially high from November through the winter months. Then we’ll see demand spike again from July through October.”
Sibley County FoodShare is a non-profit organization that has been helping people for more than 25 years. It’s made possible through generous support from communities, churches, businesses and civic organizations. Additional assistance for local families in need are provided by Minnesota Valley Action Council, Sibley County Public Health and Sibley County Human Services.
Shelves at the Sibley County FoodShare are stocked with staples like butter, milk, eggs, flour, sugar, and vegetables like onions and potatoes to cover a family’s basic needs for three or four days. So today on TheFieldPosition, the Stenzels are sharing one of their favorite recipes that uses ingredient that nearly every kitchen has on hand. Warm up this winter with a hearty bowl of Ham & Potato Chowder!
Math has never my favorite subject. Honestly, the only way I’ve ever really enjoyed working with fractions is by measuring ingredients in my kitchen. Yet there is a group of math-loving Americans who celebrate Pi Day in commemoration of the mathematical constant of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, known as π (pi), 3.14 or 3/14.
When I think of a circle’s circumference, I think of a pie plate. Pie plates make me think of…
There are just so many ways to enjoy pie! That’s why, at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we’ll be celebrating the 14th of March as “Pi(e) Day.” Join our celebration by sharing your favorite pie recipes with us!
What’s better than muffins hot from the oven on a cold, winter’s day? I adore muffins, so today I’m sharing with you a recipe that I’ve been wanting to try since last fall. Perhaps I’ll get around to it this weekend!
Former FFA Officers “Exert an Influence” by Coming Home
Lisa Ahrens Peterson as National FFA President, 1988-89
Lisa Ahrens Peterson and her husband, J.R., didn’t merely recite The Creed as FFA members. They’ve been living each day, for more than a decade, according these very words.
As a member of the Osage FFA Chapter, Lisa served her local chapter as reporter and president. She also served as: District Vice President, 1995-96; North Central State Vice President, 1996-97; State President, 1997-98; and National FFA President from 1998-99.
“All of my job opportunities were as a result of my FFA experiences, and the network of individuals I met through the years. I also believe that I advanced in my career faster because of the skill set I gained through FFA including leadership, public speaking and teamwork.”
“FFA helped me in college, as well,” adds Lisa. “As a result of my FFA experiences, I was selected for Iowa State University’s President’s Leadership Class. Approximately 30 incoming freshman were chosen and met weekly with President Jischke at his house. I got to know President Jischke very well, and he eventually recommended me for the State Board of Regents. Governor Branstad knew me from my State FFA officer days and recommended me to the Iowa Senate for confirmation. I spent the next 5 years serving on the board. It all began with FFA!”
FFA is a tremendous vehicle to teach leadership, provide personal growth opportunities, and prepare young people for a career in one of over 300 ag-related careers. Lisa said she’s amazed at the number of people she’s met who credit FFA to their success. One such individual is ISU’s Dr. Neil Harl, a nationally recognized expert on taxation, estate planning, business planning and agricultural law. Dr. Harl credits FFA public speaking contests for helping him cure his stutter.
J.R. and Lisa Peterson are excited about the opportunity to return to their family farm near Osage, Iowa
Another individual Lisa met through FFA became her husband. She and J.R. met when they were both candidates for national office. Lisa was elected national president, and the National FFA Organization hired J.R. to staff Made for Excellence and the Washington Leadership Conferences. A few years after they were married, J.R. went to work for the National FFA Foundation as Director of Corporate Contributions. Lisa worked for Dow AgroSciences for one year, and then joined the Agri Business Group (ABG) as a senior business analyst. ABG became part of Adayana, and Lisa worked there for nine years.
After her children were born, Lisa chose to work part-time for Adayana as special projects manager. Today Lisa is proud to have the title of “stay at home mom” for three: Ethan, 6; Anna, 4; and Elise, 18 months. She also feels blessed to return to the farm where she was raised.
“I am now the third generation to live on this farmstead and in this house!” says Lisa with excitement. “I love the freedom we have to let kids go outside and play. I also love the opportunity to teach them the value of hard working and working together as a family to get the job done. I also cherish the ability to foster their love of agriculture and provide them with an understanding of where their food comes from. “
In addition to agriculture, J.R. and Lisa share a passion for travel. Lisa’s hobbies also include reading, exercising and gardening. She enjoys the fruits of her labor all year-long through canning and freezing. Today Lisa is sharing with us one of her new favorite recipes because it’s quick, easy, and healthy!
Food is about relationships, says Jennie Schmidt, a registered dietitian who works full-time farming in Maryland with her family. “Food is nourishing to our bodies. Conversation is nourishment for our souls.”
Because many of the food dialogues have been driven by people who know little or nothing about farming, Jennie says it’s more important than ever for farmers to advocate for agriculture. We must correct misinformation and point out when statements have been taken out of context. We also must allow consumers to get to know farmers, so their confidence increases about the food they eat.
Many Americans take their food for granted, says Jennie. Because they’ve never seen empty grocery shelves, they assume the food is industrial and easy to produce. Some Americans can afford to be arrogant about their food, so they try to dictate to the rest of the population. They want to regulate some foods and ban others. Mostly, they criticize others’ food choices when they don’t align with their own.
The need for farmers to connect and help educate consumers became more apparent to Jennie when she was selected as the 2011 Northeast Region Farm Mom of the Year. She then joined Common Ground, a grassroots movement that encourages conversations between the women who grow food and the women who buy it. Today, Jennie blogs at The Foodie Farmer and many of her posts are also shared on Stone Soup, a guest blog written by members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
In addition to blogging and farming, Jennie also manages vineyards. Farming is all about nutrition for animals, soil and plants after all. Because Jennie was a registered dietician when she married Hans, who was raising hogs and cattle with his brother and their father, she decided to put her nutrition degree to use on the farm.
The Schmidt family has always tried new ventures, and Jennie became interested in growing grapes to further diversify the farm plus make a “niche” for herself. From there, she launched a vineyard management company that is expanding to new areas including Delaware.
Farmers can diversify into grape production if they have a good understanding of crop load and pest management, says Jennie. Unlike commodities, grapes are grown for quality and crop reduction is often necessary. It’s not necessarily a good thing to have high tonnage when the result is poor quality.
Growing grapes is as labor intensive as tobacco, says Jennie whose first job was working tobacco in the fields of western Massachusetts. Her best friend’s dad was a dairy farmer, and Jennie loved helping him haul hay. Although she wasn’t raised on a farm, time spent on her friends’ farms prompted her to minor in International Agriculture.
After college, Jennie spent two years working in Botswana, Africa helping the Ministry of Agriculture develop a 4-H program. Her master’s thesis was about food and agricultural biotechnology, so it’s no wonder that agriculture and food production are so near and dear to Jennie’s heart.
As a tribute to Maryland where she farms, today we’re featuring a recipe for Crab Cakes with Lemon Dill Sauce. We’re also linking to the Taste of Home website where you can download a recipe to make a side of Chesapeake Slaw.
Do Your Heart Some Good & Practice Random Acts of Kindness
Since today is National Wear Red Day® and Valentine’s Day is literally one week away, today on TheFieldPosition we’re providing ideas and activities that will “do your heart some good.”
If you forgot to wear your red power tie or lipstick today, no problem! You still have 21 more days to “Go Red.” The entire month of February is National Heart Month to draw nationwide attention to the fact that heart disease, which was long thought to be a “man’s disease,” is the # 1 killer of women. Did you know that heart disease claiming more lives in the U.S. than all forms of cancer combined?
“Giving to othersmakes them happy and in turn it makes you happy,” says American Gothic Pie Lady Beth Howard. Find peace by serving up a few slices for your loved ones. Even if baking isn’t part of your plans this weekend, you can others’ spirits and your own during Random Acts of Kindness Week, Feb. 10-16. Iowa farmer and author of the Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids blog, Val Plagge, offers 10 ideas to Beat the Winter Blues such as sending a handwritten “just because” note to friends or family members.
Next Saturday morning I’ll likely be whipping up a batch of Heart-Shaped Pancakes for my family because that’s been a valentine tradition for the past 10 years at our house. Apparently nothing says “I love you” like hot cakes with a side of bacon!
Scott and Cindy Rasmussen of Burt, Iowa, were high school sweethearts. Today they’re still teaming up and enjoying life on their North Iowa farm.
Super Bowl Sunday is a little more than a week away, but already good-natured ribbing and game day speculations are underway. Whether you’re planning to watch the big game (or just the commercials) with family and friends at their house or yours, the Rasmussens from Burt in North Central Iowa offer some tried and true hosting tips.
“Our approach is really to keep it simple. We do much of the food prep ahead of time, so we can enjoy more time with our friends and family when they arrive,” says Cindy, who works part-time off the farm for an attorney and also helps with field work during the spring and fall.
Scott, the other half of this husband-wife team, is quick to share one of their secrets. While I’m talking with Cindy, he walks over to the freezer and pulls out a Ziploc® freezer bag filled with Rye Bread Appetizers. Now that’s my idea of “fast food”!
Keeping food on hand that can be fixed quickly when company drops in unexpectedly makes entertaining fun and easy. Now that their three children have graduated college and are living on their own, Scott and Cindy look forward to their visits and also relish time reconnecting with their friends.
“All of our kids were very active in high school with sports and extracurricular activities like 4-H,” says Scott, who served as 4-H club leader for 11 years and coached their AAU basketball teams. Cindy was a Sunday School teacher and Scott served as a trustee. They both served as T-ball coaches when their kids were younger.
Adds Cindy, “It took some planning, especially during spring and fall, but we really wanted them to experience life outside of farming, choose their own paths, and earn a four-year degree.” That being said, now our kids come home during spring and fall to help during the busy season. They truly understand what a great life farming is and that it is the perfect setting for raising a family.”
The Rasmussen’s oldest son, Noah, graduated from Algona High School in 2000. He earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University and works for John Deere in Urbandale. His wife, Rachel, also graduated from ISU with a master’s in public administration. She works in human relations. The couple has three daughters ages 8, 4, and 3 months.
The Rasmussen’s second son, Drew, graduated from high school in 2005. He earned a degree in Industrial Systems Technology (Ag Systems Technology) from Iowa State University and is a shift foreman at the biodiesel plant in Algona. He also helps Scott and Cindy farm and is looking forward to farming on his own someday. Drew and his fiancée, Sierra, are planning an August wedding.
Daughter, Chelsie, graduated from high school in 2007. She earned a degree in psychology from the University of Iowa. She and her husband, Tom, make their home near Britt. They both work full time plus Chelsie is taking classes through North Iowa Community College (NIACC) to become a physical therapy assistant. They’re expecting their first child in June.
While their children were growing up, the Rasmussens had a farrow to finish operation in addition to their cropping operation. In 2000, hog prices went to $8, so Scott was determined to find a way to make up for lost income. With margins on the hog operation going from tight to negative, Scott went to work at Aluma Trailers in Bancroft. He appreciated that company’s flexibility, so he could work around his farming schedule. After a year of working at Aluma, Scott’s dad retired from farming. Scott was able to continue working part-time and farm additional acres. Then in 2008, they converted the barn into a heated shop where Scott enjoys maintaining his line of farm equipment and woodworking especially during the winter months.
“I really enjoyed working at Aluma and my boss was really good to me,” says Scott. “He was one person who really helped make a difference. Cindy and I have really been blessed by the people who have helped us along the way.” They mention the respect they have for the farm manager of the Stockwell Memorial Farm, who helped them start farming on their own, and for an elderly neighbor, who also chose Scott to farm his land when he decided to retire.
Click on the image to enlarge, then print.
“We’ve learned to surround ourselves with good people, and that’s one of the reasons we enjoy working with Latham Seeds,” says Scott. “The company is filled with good people. I know that I can call the office and be connected with someone who has the answer to my question. I really enjoy Latham’s personal service, plus Latham® products really perform well.”
In their spare time, the Rasmussens enjoy fishing, boating, spending time with family and friends, and spoiling their grandchildren. The couple also enjoys antiquing, refinishing and repurposing furniture. They had a cabinet built into a buffet to camouflage a dorm-sized refrigerator. They also put locking wheels on an island in their kitchen, which readily converts into a snack table for grandkids or extends their kitchen counter space if they want to set up a buffet line. Both items make entertaining easy.
So that you can spend more time with friends and less time in the kitchen, today the Rasmussens are sharing two of their favorite recipes on TheFieldPosition. Take it to the house next Sunday with Rye Bread Appetizers and Party Pretzels!
Preserving Her Family’s Legacy Led to “Wag’n Tales”
Val Wagner and her husband, Mark, at the North Dakota Stockman’s Convention on Dec. 26, 2013.
As a young girl growing up in rural North Dakota, Val Wagner dreamed of becoming a big-shot lawyer and living in a metropolis. Then she met a farmer (aka “Boss Man” on her Wag’n Tales blog) at the county fair, and well, her dreams changed.
Val and her husband, Mark, make their home in very rural southeast North Dakota on the land that has been in her husband’s family for more than 50 years. Together, they’re caring for the land and livestock, raising their four sons and ensuring that farming will be their legacy.
Helping ensure a farming legacy for their four sons is why Val Wagner started her Wag’n Tales blog. “One of the things I enjoy most about living on our farm is being able to show my boys nature first-hand,” she says. “They learn about life, have the chance to create their own theories and dream of the future.”
“These four boys are the reasons I do what I do,” says Val, while addressing a group of seed company executives Thursday during the 25th anniversary of the Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA). “Their opportunity to farm this land isn’t going to be lost on my watch.”
Val saw how times were changing. Ag literacy is a real concern, so she started Wag’n Tales to help create a better understanding of modern agriculture. Her blog has allowed her to virtually “open the farm to everyone.” She believes the most important things she does is answer questions that non-farmers have like: What are cows fed? How are cattle taken care of during the winter? What is it like when a calf is born?
Recipes are another way Val connects with non-farm moms and others on her blog. In honor of January Soup Month and as a tribute to the German-Russian Country in which her family resides, today she’s sharing a recipe for Knephla Soup.
