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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

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 25^th 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?

“I usually don’t travel an hour past my farm yet my blog has been read around the world,” says Val. Readers live in all 50 states plus 163 countries. She literally has a world-wide platform to discuss topics ranging from “the Science behind Crop Technology” to “School Lunch Rules” and “Corporate Farming.” Her tongue-and-cheek blog post about “How to Spend 10 Years Married to a Farmer” went viral with more than 10,000 hits on Facebook.

“I have a story to tell, and my story is unique to me,” she says. “But like my fellow North Dakota prairie farm wife Jenny Dewey Rohrich says, ‘Your story may seem ordinary to you, but it’s extraordinary to someone else’. The same is true for everyone else. Tell your story and become an advocate for agriculture!“

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.

Team Latham

January 17, 2014

General, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Get Healthier in 2014 with “Iowa Girl Eats”

Kristin Porter of Iowa Girl Eats.
Photo courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats

Eat healthier. Get in shape. Spend more time with the family.

It comes as no surprise that these three are among the top resolutions made in 2014 by Americans. Newly released results from a study conducted by the Iowa Food & Family Project confirms that interest in food among Iowans continues to spike, mirroring national trends.

Americans today have more food choices than ever, from locally grown to organic. U.S. supermarkets are stocked with thousands of easy-to-fix meals, yet two-thirds of our population is obese. Contrast today’s stats with the 1950s when food production and meal production were more labor intensive, yet only 9.7 Americans were obese.

Photo courtesy of
Iowa Girl Eats
[Click Here for Recipe]
As fewer people are directly involved in the business of growing food, there is a growing need to create understanding between producers and consumers. That’s why last spring the Iowa Food and Families Project launched the “Join My Journey” campaign featuring Iowa Girl Eats blogger Kristin Porter. Kristin describes herself by saying, “I eat as well as my sweet tooth allows, run as often as possible despite the crazy Iowa weather, and am usually dreaming about the next place I want to travel to!”

Her travels in 2013 took her to several Iowa farms and points of interest where she milked a cow, saw first-hand how pigs, cattle, turkeys and poultry are raised and how farmers grow corn and soybeans. A native Iowan who wasn’t reared on a farm, Kristin took the wheel of a tractor during the 2013 planting season and drove a combine during #harvest13. She met several farm families, who raise and care for livestock and crops. Rather than google for answers, she had the opportunity to ask Iowa farmers the questions that she and other consumers had about modern production practices.

Photo courtesy of
Iowa Girl Eats
[Click Here for Recipe]
Now you can embark on a journey of your own! To help you take a step toward eating healthier and spending more time with your family, today we’re sharing two Iowa Girl Eats’ recipes that will put a new twist on fruits and vegetables. This recipe for Pineapple Mango & Orange Smoothie looks simple enough for my sixth grade Girl Scouts to make, plus I’m hoping this tropical concoction will help warm up our January troop meeting. (Doesn’t a trip to Maui sound fabulous now? Since I’m not headed there, I’ll enjoy a taste of it from the comforts of Iowa.)

The second recipe of Kristin’s that we’re featuring is for Thai Peanut Chicken Quinoa Bowls. Quite frankly, I’m intrigued with this one because it makes use edamame (a soyfood) but it’s unlike anything I’ve ever tried making at home. Guess it’s time I step outside my own comfort zone and try something new!

What new foods do you plan to try in 2014?

Team Latham

January 10, 2014

General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

2014: Filling the First Page in a Blank Book

Christmas Break or winter vacation? Whatever you call it, I haven’t had one that was this much fun since my best friend in college took me on her family’s trip to the Rose Bowl. Even though we were Iowa State students and the Iowa Hawkeyes were playing the Rose Bowl that year, it was the trip of a lifetime. The California sunshine felt especially nice to this ISU kid, whose eyelashes literally froze together while walking to Finals just a few days prior. Beauty was all around… I was awed by a behind-the-scenes tour of floats being built and thrilled to learn we had seats for the parade. That New Year’s Day goes down as “one perfect day” in my book.

Fast forward a couple decades and New Year’s Day 2014 found me making a 9-hour drive to Baudette, Minnesota, in Lake of the Woods County. When I pulled into the parking lot at Sportsman’s Lodge, my family and I were greeted with temperatures of 22 below zero. (I have no idea what the wind chill was, and I’m not sure I really want to know!)

My 12-year-old son was questioning my judgment. First of all, he was missing the first two days of the new school year. Secondly, he’s missing the chance to play with his friends in a basketball tournament this weekend. And now this: “Mom, do you realize I can only get 3G here? It’s taking forever for Snapchat to load. Someone sent me a message 15 minutes ago, and I’m just getting it now.”

“Be thankful you have any service at all,” I replied cheerfully. “It may not be as fast as you’d like, but you have service.” I started grabbing gear and unloading our vehicle in an effort to get settled into our room as quickly as possible. Seriously, who wants to dawdle when it’s -22°F?

You may be questioning my sanity, as well. Why would a 40-something-year-old woman pack up the family vehicle and head to the frozen tundra for vacation? There are several reasons, actually. I’ve enjoyed fishing since I was knee high to a grasshopper. My dad used to take me trout fishing in Northeast Iowa in the spring practically weekly. My entire family would often spend a week in a fishing cabin somewhere in Minnesota. When I was attending Iowa State, I’d sometimes join my dad for a weekend of ice fishing around Creston in southern Iowa. Fishing is just something we enjoy doing together.

I’ve caught a lot of fish in my day, but I’ve not caught a wall hanger. And I want one! (I have the perfect place in mind to hang one in my house.) Why a Walleye? Why not?

My quest for a trophy Walleye brought me and my brother to Baudette nearly two years ago. While we never even got a big one on the line, we did catch a lot of walleye. More importantly, we created a lot of fish tales and enjoyed many belly laughs. We’ve relived some of those moment since, and each time, we laugh about them again.

As country crooner Trace Adkins’ sings in his fit song, Just fishin’, it’s less about fishing and more about living. My personal motto is to live life to the fullest. And this New Year’s fishing trip is all about living, creating lifelong family memories – and eating well.

Trying local foods is one thing I enjoy about traveling the country. I’ve enjoyed the lightly breaded walleye, which is on the menu here at Sportman’s Lodge with a side of Traditional Minnesota Wild Rice. I’ve heard from other fishermen that panko makes a nice, light breading. That’s why today I’m sharing one recipe that I’m looking forward to trying soon with our fresh catch.

Team Latham

January 3, 2014

General, Recipes, Seafood
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Make It Christmas
Jeff & Lori Maurer

Like many farmers, Lori Maurer of Royal in western Iowa repurposed old equipment and household items before #DIY was a trend on Pinterest. Stepping into her warm kitchen is like walking down memory lane.

Windows salvaged from an old hog barn have become window pane photo frames, showcasing some of Lori’s favorite memories while her own three children were young. The large bowl her grandma used to make homemade bread hangs on the wall next to the photo pane. Nearby, an old wooden ladder from her parents’ farm has found new life as a decoration.

“I’ve always enjoyed finding new uses for old items. It’s a fun way to preserve memories plus it can help decorate on a dime,” says Lori, who’s the youngest of 10 children.

Being resourceful is something Lori grew up doing and it’s something she and her husband, Jeff, have passed along to her children. They’re the proud parents of three: Kevin, 26, who graduated from Iowa State University and recently joined the family farming operation; Mandy, 23, who also graduated from ISU where she met her husband Cole Danner; and Mitch, 19, who’s a sophomore at Iowa State where he’s majoring in Ag Studies with a minor in Agronomy.

This year the Maurer’s are literally “making Christmas.” Now that their children are either married or have significant others, they decided to eliminate some of the stress and expense from everyone buying something for eight other family members. Instead they drew names and will make a gift for that person. Jeff is making something so special for Mandy that she’s sure to treasure it for a lifetime, and Lori’s gift for Cole is extremely thoughtful.

Providing experiences is a Maurer holiday tradition. One year they gave their children a puppy named Pepper, who still makes her home on the farm although she prefers to stay on the porch rather than run with the younger dogs. Another year Santa left a Kitty Cat in their living room; the Maurer kids couldn’t imagine how Santa got down the chimney with that!

“Our kids had so much fun riding their little snowmobile through wide, open spaces,” recalls Lori. “The freedom to explore on their own is one of the best things about raising kids in the country. Living on a farm with livestock also teaches them responsibility and life lessons.”

The Maurer’s also credit 4-H for helping their kids develop life skills. All three showed club calves. They were responsible for doing chores, balancing a budget and marketing their show stock. Showing cattle helped them develop communication skills and allowed them to meet other youth with like interests from around the state.

“There’s always something to be done on our farm, but there’s always someone help,” says Lori, whose family raised hogs and crops when she was growing up. She and Jeff feel blessed to be farming with two of their children, and Mitch comes home from college to help whenever he can. He’s hoping to join the family farming operation in a few more years.

When everyone gathers together, Lori likes to whip up hearty, stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal that’s perfect during fall harvest or a cold, winter’s night. Today she’s sharing one of her family’s favorite casseroles on TheFieldPosition.com.

P.S. If you’d like to try making homemade gifts for the holidays, we’ve created a Pinterest board with several fun ideas. Below are a few links to ideas for family activities. Even if you don’t get them made before Dec. 25, you could make them over Winter Break and treasure them in years to come:
Team Latham

December 20, 2013

General, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Mini trees Cupcakes

To make this recipe, I used a box mix (haven’t found a homemade recipe that tastes any better than the box, so why make it so hard) :). Then I just put the batter into mini cupcake liners placed in a regular cupcake tin, so they probably expanded wider than a normal mini cupcake tin. That wasn’t intentional, I just didn’t have the right tin.

To decorate mini trees, load frosting in a piping bag and use a star tip. (Confession- I also didn’t have any piping bags on hand. So I used a quart Ziploc back and poked a small hole in the corner for the tip to go through. Worked just fine : ) ) Start on the outside “ring” of the cupcake and work your way in, layering higher until you’ve reached a tree shape. The secret is in the consistency of your frosting. Frosting from a can is not stiff enough to layer, so if you’ve attempted shaping with that type of icing before and it eventually “melted” into a pile, that’s why. Then add sprinkles of your choice and be proud of your mini tree creation!

Gary Geske

December 18, 2013

Desserts, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Sukups Celebrate 50 Years of Family Traditions

Charles Sukup has served since 1995 as president of the company his father, Eugene, founded. Charles’ younger brother, Steve, also is an engineer and serves as vice president of Sukup Manufacturing, Inc.

Sukup Manufacturing started in 1963. Charles Sukup was just nine years old at the time, but he was already involved in the family business.

“I grew up learning how to weld, cut metal and do lathe work,” recalls Charles. “I worked in the electrical department, poured cement, assembled parts and did drafting work. The drafting I learned through Industrial Arts in high school was really helpful.”

4-H also played a key role in helping Charles pursue interests that helped lead to career success. He said, “The 4-H program definitely helped develop my leadership skills. Serving as an officer taught me how to plan meetings and then conduct them according to Roberts Rules of Orders. Through 4-H, I also learned how to work with people of all personalities and ages.”

Charles said 4-H projects gave him the opportunity to try new things. “You always say you should do this or you want to try that, but there’s nothing like a 4-H County Fair deadline to make you get it done! It may be the night before, but it gets done!” says Charles with a smile.

Projects areas in which Charles enrolled included Hogs, Sheep, Photography, Citizenship, Forestry and Welding. Woodworking was one of his favorite 4-H project areas. Charles fondly remembers spending time in his grandpa’s shop where he made a number of wooden candlestick holders. Some of those candlesticks were 3 or 4 feet tall made from walnut logs and formed with a lathe.

“4-H really reinforced those values we grew up with,” said Charles. “I always enjoyed going to the club picnic potluck and touring farms to see everyone’s livestock projects.”

4-H also played a key role in helping the Sukups pursue interests that helped lead to career success. Pictured from left to right are Charles and Mary Beth with their three children, Jonathan, Andrew and Elizabeth

The Sukup family raised hogs and sheep when Charles and his brother, Steve, were 4-H members. Their father, Eugene, had a goal of improving his breeding stock to produce a larger pork loin. At that time, the average pork loin was 2 inches. Seven inches is the average-sized loin now, but today’s hogs are also a third bigger. Farmers in those days were penalized for hogs weighing over 220 pounds; today’s market hogs average just under 300 pounds.

While many things like production practices have changed over the years, one constant has been the 4-H awards program. Charles was honored to be selected to attend National 4-H Congress for Citizenship. He had been a page for the Iowa Legislature and participated in the 4-H Citizenship Washington, D.C. Focus (CWF) conference. Years later he was honored to be asked to chaperone the CWF trip when his youngest son, Jonathan, attended.

Like their father, two of Charles’ children were members of the West Fork Winners 4-H Club. Their grandfather, Eugene, was also a member of the West Fork Winners which, during both Eugene and Charles’ years, was only a boys’ club. The club disbanded for a few years but was reinstated as a co-ed club in time for the third generation to become members.

Sukup’s 50th Anniversary Cookbook offers a collection of recipes from the Sukup family, employees and dealers for $12 each. To order, call 641-892-4222 or email info@sukup.com.

“Our kids are so different, but 4-H allowed them to pursue their interests,” says Charles. “It also provided us with quality family time as Mary and I both helped them in different ways.”

Charles’ wife, Mary, belonged to 4-H when she was growing up in Cerro Gordo County. Before they were married, she taught Home Economics and Art. Her interest in these areas sparked her children to take related 4-H projects. One of their shared interests was participating in the “Promote Your Commodities” competition, which is now called “Dish This!” to promote Iowa-grown products.

In celebration of the commodities they’ve grown – and in appreciation for the farmers whom they still serve – today the Sukup family is sharing one of their favorite recipes with us. Calico Beans are a “fix it and forget it” dish, perfect for holiday potlucks and family gatherings.

Team Latham

December 13, 2013

Beef, General, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Lanehaven Farms Strives to Sustain Resources for Generations to Come

December brings back fond childhood memories of sleigh rides across the snow-covered farm fields in Northwest Iowa for Sally Hollis of Lanehaven Farms. Her grandfather was a corn and soybean grower, who enjoyed raising Belgian and Percheron horses as a hobby.

“While I grew up with some farming background, I definitely would not have guessed I would be a farmer when I graduated from high school,” said Sally, who earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University and an MBA from the University of Northern Iowa. She worked the past 15 years for Deere & Company in a variety of roles in Operations, Supply Management, Quality and Systems/Processes. Her most recent role was Business Unit Manager for the Cab Operations at Waterloo’s Tractor, Cab & Assembly Operations.

Sally took an official leave of absence last year from Deere & Company. Today she puts her engineering background and John Deere experience to work on their family farm, sharing her knowledge of operations, systems and management. She’s standardizing processes and leading a large project to switch accounting systems effective January 1. She also works on landlord relations, human resources and website maintenance.

Meanwhile, Blake and his father have day-to-day responsibilities for the crop and hog operations. They take care of the marketing, equipment purchases, insurance, customer relations and community relations.

“I am learning so many new things about agriculture that I find extremely interesting and exciting. I cherish the wonderful opportunity I have to work with my family on a daily basis,” says Sally, whose husband, Blake, is the third generation to operate Lanehaven Farms.

Blake’s grandfather, Gordon Hollis, started the farm in 1947 as a dairy and crop operation. Because the home farm has a long lane and he thought of it as a place of refuge, Gorden name it Lanehaven.

One reason Lavehaven Farms has been successful for more than 65 years and through three generations is because the Hollis family embraces leading edge practices while standardizing processes and focusing on continuous improvement. One example of their stewardship and progressiveness is the first denitrifying bioreactor that was installed last month.

“We work to passionately protect and sustain resources for future generations,” says Sally.

“That’s how my husband’s grandparents and then his parents operated it. Now we are focused on what we must do for our business to remain strong for the next generation. We will strive for business excellence today and quickly adopt future technologies, processes and businesses to continue to improve the business for years to come.”

Sally and Blake are the proud parents of two sons, 12-year-old Thatcher and 10-year-old Chase. Both boys enjoy sports, music, farming and spending time with their friends. They also compete on a FIRST Lego League/robotics team, which their mom has coached for the past three years. In fact, their Lego League team is competing this weekend in the regional qualifier.

“None of us get to where we are without having been recipients of others generosity such as our parents, teachers, mentors, friends, and others,” says Sally. “Because of the generosity I have received from others, I feel part of my purpose in life is to be generous and help others.” In addition to Lego League, Sally is active in a number of community organizations. She serves on the Waterloo School Foundation Board and as an advisor on the McElroy Trust. She and her husband also active in their church as small group leaders and marriage mentors.

In her free time, Sally enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising and cooking. Today she is sharing one of her favorite pork recipes, which comes from a cookbook developed by a committee on which she served for the area Junior League. Lanehaven Farms has produced pork for more than 40 years, so today’s recipe is a fitting way to promote the product they raise. Spice up the holiday season with Pesto Pork Chops!

Team Latham

December 6, 2013

General, Pork, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Celebrating Pork Month with Sausage & Squash Soup

Landon Aldinger is joining his father, Mike, in the family business. Precision Farming Inc. sells Latham® seed and offers Seed-2-Soil® services.

It’s pigskin season and October pork month, which is a fitting time for the Aldinger family of Iowa Falls in North Central Iowa to celebrate the homecoming of their son, Landon.

Landon’s interest in farming began as a young boy and continued as he attended Iowa State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Ag Engineering. He then moved to Minneapolis and has served as a Senior Design Engineer at Toro Compan for the past seven years.

Landon has continued to come home and assist his father, Mike, during the planting and harvest seasons. Now he will play a more active role in the farming business, as well as partner with his father to sell Latham® seed and to place seed products.

“We’ve been planting Latham seed products on our farm for nearly 40 years,” says Mike Aldinger, who began selling Latham® brand products in 1977 while his father operated a fertilizer and chemical retail business. “Landon is very familiar with the broad offerings available to our farmer customers. Plus, he has first-hand experience with the products as he has farmed his own ground for the past three years.”

The father-son team has become increasing involved with Latham Hi‑Tech’s hallmark Seed-2-Soil® program over the past three years. They say it’s a great tool to help compile yield history, as well as to implement variable rate planting and foliar feeding.

“With Landon’s passion for engineering and new technology, he is excited to begin working in this area and is eager to introduce others to the tools available through the Seed-2-Soil program,” says Mike. “Together we hope to help our Precision Farm Inc. customers make even more informed management decisions that will increase their profit per acre!”

To learn more about the Aldingers, click here. Their family motto is “Work hard, play hard and eat well.” Mike’s wife, Donna, is known for making delicious and wholesome meals. Today this pork-producing family is sharing a recipe that’s sure to help you warm up during these cool fall temperatures. I, for one, am eager to try this recipe for Squash and Sausage Soup. In fact, it’s on the menu for lunch tomorrow!

Team Latham

October 25, 2013

General, Pork, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

4-H Teaches Youth Lessons Beyond the Show Ring

October is National 4-H Month. Thanks to Jenny Dewey Rohrich, one of America’s leading #agvocates, for sharing her story with us here on TheFieldPosition.com.

It’s National 4-H Month. That’s why I, Jenny Dewey Rohrich, am celebrating!

As a loyal 4-H member, I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, my health to better living for my club, my community, my country, and my world.

Although I was a 4-H member many years ago now, I still remember the pledge by heart. I guess saying it for 9 years once a month does that to you. I became a 4-H member at nine years old and remained in 4-H until I graduated high school. I know animal projects tend to take the spotlight when you talk about 4-H and people outside of the program just think it’s a program to raise animals, show them, and sell them at your local fair. Let me tell you 4-H is so much more than that…

Team Latham

October 18, 2013

Beef, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Franklin County Family Raises Winning Pork
Pictured, from left to right, are Corey and Kim Jacobson with their sons: Caleb, Matthew and Ben Jacobsen. Also pictured are representatives from the Iowa Machine Shed: Roger Johnson, Executive Chef; Steve Britton, general manager; and Cat Wood, executive team member.

Iowa leads the nation in pork production, so today we’re paying tribute to National Pork Month by honoring a Latham® seed bean grower whose family has a proud tradition of raising quality pork.

Corey Jacobsen was raised on a Century Farm in Franklin County where his parents, Doug and Carolyn, still reside. Today Corey and his wife, Kim, farm between Dows and Alexander where they raise corn, soybeans and custom finish hogs. Their three kids help on the family farm and also raise show pigs.

“Raising livestock teaches them day-to-day responsibility that many other activities can’t provide. They learn that it takes teamwork to be successful and to accomplish what needs to be done. Pork is truly is a family project that we all enjoy.”

The Jacobsen family attends several livestock shows annually including: the Iowa State Fair, Ak-Sar-Ben, World Pork Expo, National Barrow Show, Sioux Empire in South Dakota, Iowa State University’s Block & Bridle, as well as numerous county and state 4-H and FFA shows. It’s no wonder this family enjoy fairs and exhibitions so much as Corey and Kim met 28 years ago at the Franklin County Fair.

“We asked our oldest son, Ben, if he wanted to continue participating in so many shows,” says Kim, who grew up on a farm south of Coulter. “Ben was quick to reply, ‘Yes! It’s like tailgating with your family and friends for days.’”

What could be better than a days-long tailgate? Try celebrating a major victory with family and friends! Ben had the honor of showing the Reserve Champion FFA Market Hog at the 2013 Iowa State Fair. His prize-winning pork sold for $27,500 during the Sale of Champions. The Machine Shed, ADM Alliance Nutrition/ShowTec, APC, Inc., and Newsham Choice Genetics with support from Morgan Genetics, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, Woolstock Equipment, Mike Fischer and $14,300 in local support from the Citizens of Clarion, Iowa.

Ben, a high school senior, has been active in the Clarion-Goldfield FFA and serves as sentinel. He is also a member of the school’s basketball and golf teams. His youngest brother, Caleb, loves playing video games, swimming and tubing. Matt loves anything music. He plays guitar, violin, ukulele, piano and saxophone. He also enjoys wrestling and showing pigs.

Ben and Matt have been very active showing pigs at county, state and national shows. Caleb will join them once he’s older. “Through 4-H, our boys have learned skills they use on the farm also such as welding, woodworking, small engines, along with the communication and record keeping,” says Kim. They belong to a club called Wright County P.I.G (pork interest group) that has led them on many educational tours to learn more about the livestock and agricultural industry.”

A love of farming has been passed down through the generations. Corey is the fourth generation to farm in Franklin County and his family has been raising seed beans for Latham ever since he can remember. Corey started growing seed beans in 1986 when he rented his first farm.

“I appreciate the opportunity to raise Latham seed beans because most years we get access to newer genetics a year earlier than if we raised soybeans just commercially,” says Corey. “I like seeing what’s new in the lineup. It’s fun visiting with everybody in the fall when we deliver beans to the plant. Plus, it’s nice to know we can pick up the phone or stop by the office whenever we have questions about production or want to get their input.”

When they can take a break, the Jacobsen family enjoys boating, tubing, golfing and cheering on the Clones! Speaking of Iowa State football, today the Jacobsens are sharing a family favorite tailgating recipe. Celebrate National Pork Month while preparing to cheer on your favorite team this weekend with Sausage and Cheese Wraps, or slow down on Sunday with Pork Chops and Mushroom Gravy.

Chops with Mushroom Gravy

COOK’S NOTE: This recipe is also delicious when serving chicken in place of pork chops. The gravy is wonderful over mashed potatoes or you can serve it with rice. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 to 2 tsp paprika
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 6-8 boneless pork loin chops (1 inch thick)
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
- 1 can (4 oz) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
- 2 cups milk
- 2 T lemon juice
Directions:
- In a large, resealable plastic bag, combine the first four ingredients.
- Add pork chops, one at a time, and toss to coat.
- Set remaining flour mixture aside.
- In a large skillet, sauté chops in butter until golden brown; transfer to a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
- In the same skillet, sauté the onion, green pepper and mushrooms till tender. Stir in reserved flour mixture; gradually add mild until blended.
- Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
- Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice. Pour over chops.
- Cover and bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until pork chops no longer pink.
Team Latham

October 4, 2013

General, Pork, Recipes