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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Looking ahead to the future of farming – and a side of potato salad
Successful businesses rely on people who focus their unique talents toward a common goal. Steve and Lori Johnson have proven that axiom holds for a family farm and seed business.

Steve and Lori both grew up in Page, North Dakota. Steve grew up on his family’s farm, and Lori worked for Steve’s mom throughout high school. Steve and Lori didn’t start dating, however, until they were both at Concordia College in Moorehead, Minnesota. Steve graduated with a double major in Political Science and History with minor in Business. After attending Concordia for two years, Lori transferred to Moorehead State and graduated as a legal assistant.

Today Steve and Lori, and their son, Phillip, run a Latham® Seed dealership and a TALC seed treatment operation. Steve puts his people and business relationship skills to work managing and marketing the business. Lori’s attention to detail and organizational skills are invaluable as she runs the office and keeps the books.

Phillip puts talents honed studying agriculture finance at North Dakota State University (NDSU) to use doing financial projections, cost analysis, product research and purchasing. Phillip is married to Frannie, who teaches high school math. They welcomed their son, Colter, in January 2022.

The Johnsons have three other children, who are also putting their talents to use in the business world:
- Alexis graduated from University of North Dakota (UND) medical school and is a resident in pediatrics in Omaha. She and her husband, John, a civil engineer, have a one-year-old son named Sutton.
- Vanessa graduated from UND with a master’s degree in occupational therapy. She works in Surprise, Arizona. Her husband, Zach, works in hospital finance.
- Payton graduated in May 2022 with a marketing and design degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth. She works as a marketing director for Inflight Pilot Training in Minneapolis, and her job comes with free flying lessons.
The Johnson Family

The Johnsons became Latham dealers in 2013. They had worked with other smaller seed companies but were attracted to Latham Seeds’ focus on the future.

“Steve is always very forward looking and interested in what’s new, what’s coming up and how it will change agriculture,” said Lori. “He wanted access to new technology and better pricing.”

Their forward-looking approach also caused Steve and Lori to invest in Abbiamo Pasta Company in Casselton, ND.

The Johnsons like to take time off for biking, boating and visiting Florida. They enjoy travel adventures. They also enjoy celebrating family milestones. When the family gathers, her kids request that Lori makes potato salad. Today she is sharing her family’s favorite recipe with us.
shannonlatham

August 25, 2022

Food & Family, General, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Tractors are more than Machinery at the Toppen Farm

Every tractor has a story. That is why Todd Toppen collects model toy tractors that tell the story of his family’s farm over the years.

Todd enjoys restoring model toy tractors. His goal was to find all the tractors he had when he was growing up, and he is close to achieving this goal. He has the first tractor that he ever drove, the first tractor his dad purchased, and many more to represent family milestones on their farm – all of them with a personal story that Todd shares with pride.

The Toppen family has been farming for more than 100 years in Horace, North Dakota. Todd and his family farm the same ground that his parents purchased in 1958, raising wheat and soybeans.

“There was never any question I wanted to farm when I got older,” said Todd.

LeAnn and Todd met in high school. They went to their high school homecoming dance and have been together ever since. LeAnn also grew up in North Dakota in a family involved in agriculture. Her grandparents were farmers and her dad was a Case tractor dealer and a diesel mechanic. In addition to working on the farm, Leanne works at a local church.

LeAnn and Todd Toppen

Todd and LeAnn have three children— Kyle, Erin and Leslie. Kyle, who graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in accounting, is active in the Toppen day-to-day farming operation. Once the crop is harvested, Kyle spends the winter months working as a farm tax accountant. Kyle says he has three busy seasons throughout the year planting, harvest, and tax season! Kyle, his wife, Mary, and their son, Oliver live in a second house on the Toppen farm.

The Toppens’ daughters, Erin and Leslie, live in the area and often visit the farm to pitch in. “Farming is what brings our family together,” says LeAnn. Erin and her husband, Brandon, have three children — Jackson, Madelyn and Peyton — and farm near Kindred, N.D. Leslie and her husband, Chad, live in West Fargo N.D., have 3 children Lennon, Decker and Cooper.

By talking with the family, you can hear the passion in their voices they have for farming, but it hasn’t always been easy. “Not everyone can be a farmer; it takes a very special person.” says LeAnn.

When they aren’t working on the farm, the Toppens enjoy spending time at the lake with their children and their seven grandchildren. The entire family goes to Pelican Lake almost every weekend during the summer.

Todd and LeAnn really enjoy having their family close to spend time with their grandkids. Todd stated, “There isn’t much you don’t like about being a grandparent!” They also enjoy attending their grandkids’ school and sporting activities.

In North Dakota a wide variety of crops including wheat, barley, corn, soybeans, sugar beets and sunflowers are grown. The Toppens have raised all these crops over the years which makes seed sales a challenging part of their operation.

Todd became a Latham® dealer in 2014. He also grows soybeans for our company. He became familiar with Latham through a local seed company and then decided to become a dealer. Todd says he chose Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds because the company is known for producing quality products, respects their employees and provides valuable customer service. He also really enjoys how accessible the staff and owners are too!

Family is very important to the Toppens and keeps them moving forward on their operation. We are lucky to have them as a part of our Latham family! Check out Todd’s Lasagna that he shares with us today! It’s a family favorite.

shannonlatham

August 9, 2022

Beef, Food & Family, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Latham Seeds takes on the Emerald Isle!

Hallmark and Hollywood often use creative license when filming, but the Midwesterners who recently traveled around Ireland as guests of Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds will tell you none is needed. For us, the Emerald Isle lived up to its billing – in beauty, hospitality and intriguing local lore. Each day was like a scene from a movie, made only better because we were experiencing it right on set!

Our eight-day adventure began with a visit to the Cliffs of Moher, the “eighth wonder of the world.” We were blessed with beautiful clear weather. Not only were the cliffs in full view, but we also saw the Aran Islands in the distance. After admiring the view, we traveled by motorcoach through the countryside to County Kerry where we enjoyed a delicious white tablecloth meal complete with traditional Irish music.

The next day we fueled up with a Full Irish Breakfast before heading to the Muckross House. Nestled in the heart of Killarney National Park, Muckross House is Kerry’s premier visitor attraction. However, “house” is an understatement for this majestic 19^th century Victorian mansion that overlooks Muckross Lake. Its rooms are elegantly furnished in period style. Extensive improvements – including adding the Sunken, Rock and Stream Gardens – were made during the 1850s in preparation of Queen Victoria’s visit.

Today’s visitors to Muckross can step back in time on a 1930 to 1940s-era working farm. Electricity had yet to be introduced to the countryside, and horses reigned supreme. There are three separate working farm sites that are furnished in traditional style right down to the livestock raised. The black Kerry dairy cow is one of the oldest breeds in Europe, descending from the 4,000-year-old Celtic shorthorn. In fact, this breed has been kept from extinction thanks in part to Muckross Farm.

From Muckross, our band of roving Midwesterners traveled to Blarney where many climbed the winding stairs of the castle to kiss the lucky Blarney Stone. We also enjoyed walking through the beautiful gardens and visiting Blarney Woolen Mills.

Another highlight of our Irish adventure was a tour of Ballymaloe House. What’s not to enjoy about being encouraged to taste the sun-ripened strawberries and vine-ripened tomatoes? This family-run hotel, restaurant and cooking school is situated on 300 acres of rolling green hills in southern Ireland’s beautiful County Cork.

Focus on Quality Ingredients Transforms Irish Cuisine

With its emphasis on high-quality, fresh ingredients, Ballymaloe is internationally recognized as the birthplace of modern Irish cuisine. This organic farm includes gardens, glasshouses and a micro dairy. The glasshouses were developed with grant aid money in the 1940s, making Ivan and Myrtle Allen among the first tomato producers in Ireland. Myrtle started a restaurant in her dining room in 1964, and she created a recipe for tomato relish to preserve the tomatoes Ivan grew. Ballymaloe Relish was a break-out product and remains the flagship product of Ballymaloe Food Co.

Ballymaloe Relish

Myrtle’s daughter-in-law Darina Allen started Ireland’s first farmers market and helped develop it into a national industry. Darina’s daughter-in-law Rachel Allen is a graduate of the world-famous Ballymaloe Cookery School, so she has taken on many of the duties she learned from Darina.

Local ingredients, including water, also are key to the success of Jameson Whiskey. The word whiskey is derived from the Irish “uisce beatha,” meaning water for life. That’s fitting because the barley used to make Jameson comes “from up the road and [its] water comes from outside the window.”

During our tour of Jameson Distillery in Midleton, we learned that in 1780 John Jameson established the signature triple distillation process that it still used today. Our tour concluded with a whiskey tasting of Jameson, Scotch and an American whiskey. Afterward, we could choose to enjoy Jameson with Ginger Ale and a squeeze of lime.

Our “agricultural tour” continued in Dublin where many of us took a self-guided tour of the Guinness brewery. The tour ended on the seventh floor at the rooftop Gravity Bar, which offers one of the best views in the city. Visitors can admire the Wicklow Mountains where Guinness sources its fresh Irish water as they enjoy a complimentary pint of Guinness.

Sláinte! (Prounced slawn-che, this is the Gaelic toast to good health.)

Today we’re sharing a recipe we received on the Guinness Brewery tour. For more Irish recipes, click on the following links: From Ballymaloe with Love, Ballymaloe Recipes, Ballymaloe Foods and Ballymaloe Cookery Schools.

If you would like to take a ‘once in a life time trip’ with Latham Seeds or to become a dealer call 877-GO-LATHAM to learn more!

shannonlatham

August 8, 2022

Beef, Food & Family, General, Recipes, Soups
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Agriculture is Iowa’s Masterpiece!
By Lydia Zerby, consumer insights & engagement manager, Iowa Food & Family Project

Lydia Zerby, consumer insights * engagement manager, Iowa Food and Family Project

The iconic Iowa State Fair is the perfect way to celebrate food, family and farming! Whether it’s meeting baby calves, catching a food demonstration in The Kitchen or enjoying a new fair food, fairgoers from both rural and urban communities can make lifelong memories during the incredible 11-day event.

This year at the Iowa State Fair, immerse your family in the art of agriculture with the Iowa Food & Family Project (Iowa FFP)! From Aug. 11-21, visitors can engage with Iowa FFP in the southeast atrium of the Varied Industries Building.

It’s a chance to “Find your Fun” by engaging with area artists who will be creating colorful and larger-than-life murals. Visitors to the display can double their fun by hunting for hidden objects in each design. Kids of all ages (adults, too!) can spin the wheel for fantastic prizes, play ag trivia, step inside an “ag-citing” photo booth or pick up an exclusive coloring sheet. Plus, there will be a special art contest for kids to enter!

Once again, Iowa FFP will be handing out its wildly popular reusable tote bags and visitors can enter to win some blue ribbon-worthy prizes. This year’s “Grand Champion” prizes include:
- Iowa Pork gift basket courtesy of the Iowa Pork Producers Association
- Iowa Corn gift basket courtesy of the Iowa Corn Growers Association
- Earl May Nursery & Garden Center gift card
- Hy-Vee grocery store gift card
- The Machine Shed restaurant gift card
- Framed photo of Iowa agriculture courtesy of Joseph L. Murphy
The Iowa Food & Family Project is all about celebrating families, uniting rural and urban communities and providing the information and experiences consumers need to make informed food choices. The initiative involves a collaborative network of nearly 35 food, farming and healthy living organizations who are proud of Iowa’s homegrown foods and hometown values. Iowa FFP is funded by the soybean, pork, beef, egg, corn, turkey and dairy checkoffs, as well as non-checkoff resources.

Approximately 135,000 food-minded Iowans engage with Iowa Food & Family Project monthly through social media, eNewsletter and magazine channels.

We invite you to join more than 75,000 fellow subscribers who receive our monthly Fresh Pickings eNewsletter. It’s chock-full of delicious recipes, farm stories, giveaways and ways to get involved with the Iowa Food & Family Project. Sign up here for your free subscription: www.iowafoodandfamily.com/sign-up

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is a great partner of the Iowa Food & Family Project, helping the initiative maintain consumer-focused engagement as we celebrate the continuous improvement of Iowa’s farm families and their dedication to providing wholesome food for everyone. Working together, we’re building a greater understanding and confidence among food-minded Iowans.

See you at the 2022 Iowa State Fair, where visitors will “Find Your Fun!” #ISFFindYourFun
Lydia Zerby

August 5, 2022

Beef, Food & Family, General, Recipes, Season, Summer
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

75 Reasons to Celebrate at Latham® Dealer Kickoff
Team members of Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds welcomed Latham dealers from six Upper Midwest states to Iowa’s Capital City, July 14-15, to kick off our 2022-2023 seed sales year. This year’s event was particularly meaningful as our family-owned and managed company celebrated its 75^th “birthday” in grand fashion – from balloon creations and face painting for the kids to horse-drawn wagon rides and a delicious meal catered by the Iowa Machine Shed at Living History Farms.

We chose Living History Farms for this celebratory event because of its iconic nod to Iowa agriculture and its beautiful surroundings, including native Iowa prairie. We enjoyed going back to a simpler time of life when community members gathered for lawn games and ice cream.

What began in 1947 with an innovative farmer’s vision and his wife’s office management skills has since grown into a seed company with one of the industry’s deepest portfolios. Willard and Evelyn Latham worked hard to help fellow farmers be more profitable through forward-thinking solutions, all while raising five sons who have carried forth the company’s mission. And that mission – to be a trusted partner for farmers by providing personalized solutions today so they can grow even stronger legacies tomorrow – hasn’t changed.

Whether we’re hosting a Latham event on our family’s Iowa Century Farm or in a farm field somewhere in the middle of Latham Country, we honor Evelyn Latham by continuing her tradition of hospitality. Evelyn was named Wallaces Farmer Homemaker of the Year in 1962. She developed a reputation for always having a fresh pot of coffee on the burner and homemade cookies on the table when customers came calling. Scotcharoos were often on Evelyn’s cookie plate, but that goes to reason since Rice Krispies® were invented by an Iowa State University graduate.

Scotcharoos are often served with Maid-Rites (not to be confused with Sloppy Joe’s). Who knew Iowa is home of the Maid-Rite® sandwich, too? Fred Angell served the first loose-meat sandwich in 1926 and franchised his idea in 1927. At Taylor’s Maid-Rite in Marshalltown, they still grind 100% choice beef daily to ensure its quality and freshness. We’re sharing a recipe for this Iowa classic, so you can enjoy loose-meat sandwiches at home.

We enjoy learning about regional fare as we travel across the Upper Midwest, visiting Latham dealers and customers. We’re linking to our past Kickoff blogs to give you a taste, too!

Related Posts:
- Kickoff 2021 in Sioux Falls, featuring recipe for Garden Grill Tri Tip
- Virtual Kickoff in 2020, featuring Barbecue Pork Sandwiches
- Kickoff 2019 at Prairie Meadows Racetrack in Altoona, Iowa, featuring a recipe for Crumb-Crusted Top Sirloin and Roasted Garlic Potatoes with Bourbon Sauce
- Kickoff 2018 at Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, featuring a recipe for Honey Lavender Cheesecake Bites
- Kickoff 2017 at Branson, Missouri, featuring Southwest Chicken Egg Rolls
shannonlatham

July 29, 2022

Beef, General, Latham News, Recipes, Season, Summer
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

New Experiences Are Life’s Special Ingredients for Vosikas

Mark and Heidi Vosika have the same approach to food and travel. Old favorites are great, but variety adds spice.

“We enjoy traveling and experiencing different cultures and landscapes. We love watching the scenery change as we drive, and of course, Mark likes seeing the different crops that are grown,” says Heidi. She and her husband, Mark, live on a farm near the West Central Iowa town of Pocahontas. Mark’s brother, Mike, also is a partner in the farming operation. Heidi is registered nurse who spent about a decade working in long-term care, home health and hospice before switching to utilization review. Mark is a Latham Hi‑Tech Seed Dealer and is passionate about helping his customers reach their goals.

A few of the Vosika’s favorite places include Rocky Mountain National Park, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. They also enjoy Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Mackinac Island. Heidi says, “We had so much fun exploring Arches National Park and JEEPing in Canyonlands that we’d love to visit Utah again.”

As much as the Vosikas savor fresh scenery and adventure, one of their favorite views is the Iowa landscape. Mark and Heidi feel blessed to have raised their family in the same home where Mark was raised. Their oldest daughter, Madi, works for a manufacturing company in Pocahontas. Their youngest daughter, Jessica, lives in Pocahontas and works on a calf operation. She also grows corn and soybeans on 80 acres she rents from her uncle Mike.

“What I like the most about living here is that our kids got experiences they wouldn’t otherwise have. They saw the long hours that go into farming, and how dedicated their dad is to the operation. They learned about farm safety, and they learned to accept more responsibility at a younger age,” says Heidi, who grew up in town and now prizes the privacy of country living.

Mark Vosika from Pocahontas, Iowa

Mark is a township trustee for Sherman Township. He also serves as a director for Pocahontas County Corn Growers. As a trained diesel mechanic, Mark proudly promotes biodiesel to increase lubricity and longevity of engines. As a soybean and corn farmer, he says it just makes sense to use homegrown fuel.

Here’s a favorite recipe that helps the family fuel up for the fresh air and hard work of the farm.

shannonlatham

July 8, 2022

Desserts, Food & Family, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds Welcomes Michael Theis as a Regional Sales Manager

Michael Theis (pronounced “Tice”) joined the Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds team on June 13 as a regional sales manager (RSM) for Northeast Iowa.

“I am very excited to have Michael join our team,” says Latham® Sales Manager Amy Rohe. “He brings experience working alongside independent dealers to really understand their goals and is there every step of the way to put those goals into action. Michael has a strong knack for sales and business that will also be a great asset when working with our dealers.”

The youngest of six kids, Michael grew up on a family farm in North Central Iowa raising corn, soybeans and hogs. He knew from an early age that agriculture was his passion, and served as vice president and president of his local FFA chapter. He has fond memories of his grandfather teaching him how to repair and maintain equipment in the shop and around the family farm. To this day, Michael says his favorite time of the year is the spring planting season, and “getting the crop in the ground no matter the challenges Mother Nature presents.”

Michael followed two of his older brothers to Iowa State University, where he joined the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and majored in Agriculture Studies. His first internship as a crop scout sealed his future: “I knew agronomy is what I wanted to focus on,” he says. Before joining Latham Seeds, Michael worked as a crop protection representative for Bayer CropScience in Illinois, and an agronomy sales advisor for a local co-op in Northeast Iowa.

“I am really looking forward to finding opportunities in the area to help growers maximize their ROI, and Latham Seeds adds value to farmers,” Michael says. “We have flexibility in our product lineup, and our people help growers in very specific areas across the Midwest – which most companies don’t deliver.”

He adds: “The family culture that Latham Seeds has instilled for employees and customers is very important to me. I am part of a company that has proven performance for 75 years, and is always looking to innovate to create solutions for growers.”

Michael and his wife, Rachel, were married in August 2018 – a wedding “strategically timed” so it didn’t interfere with any Iowa State football games. They welcomed their first child, Jaxson, just before Thanksgiving last year. When they’re not cheering on the Cyclones, Rachel likes to golf and Michael likes “attempting to golf” with her. He also loves helping out on the family farm, and looks forward to having Jaxson in the fields with him this fall.

Michael and his wife Rachel

The Theis Family

Today Michael is sharing a favorite recipe that was always a treat growing up – especially since his family raised turkeys for many years. He asked his mom for the recipe because he loves it so much, and promises it is simple enough for a perfectly grilled meal.

shannonlatham

June 23, 2022

Food & Family, General, Latham News, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Bonnie Harris Joins Latham Seeds as Communications Manager

She took a leap of faith and landed in Iowa.

Bonnie Harris’ path to become communications manager at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds isn’t what you might expect. She grew up on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the youngest of four kids. This blonde-haired beach girl ran barefoot on the beaches of Florida and went fishing with her dad.

Bonnie Harris, Communications Manager

A desire to major in Journalism took Bonnie to the University of Maryland in College Park. She interned for Congressional Quarterly and rode in the underground cars on Capitol Hill to record all the votes during session.

“I learned so much about politics as a young person,” says Bonnie. “But I also learned to appreciate the process, the total picture of our democracy – far more than I ever learned in a classroom.”

After graduating with a journalism degree and a minor in public relations, Bonnie accepted her first full-time newspaper job in Spokane, Washington. Four years later she was hired by the Los Angeles Times and moved to Southern California, where she covered cops, courts and crime. She also traveled for months with both presidential candidates in 2000, earning the nickname “Sunshine” from George W. Bush.

“As a reporter at the Los Angeles Times, I had to work with photographers to help cover my stories. I went to the Photo Desk in the newsroom and dealt with Don Tormey, a photo editor who was grumpy and literally annoying,” says Bonnie.

Opposites attract as they say, and Bonnie and Don were married.

“When we found out we were having twins, I quickly decided I did not want to raise them in Southern California,” says Bonnie. “I researched job opportunities for me and Don. The Des Moines Register jumped on his credentials and moved us to Iowa. Our boys were just 13 months old.”

Jackson (left) and James (right) 6 Months Old

Neither Bonnie nor Don had any ties to Iowa.

“We took a leap of faith in a state that was – to us coming from Southern California – more affordable, with better schools, an easy commute and GOOD PEOPLE. We endured many questions about our decision to transplant our family here, and that’s OK. We are honorary Iowans. Our boys, who are now almost 20 years old, have always called Iowa their home. And we do, too.”

Jackson, Bonnie, Don and James

Bonnie and Don’s son James just completed his first year at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He wants to become a fighter pilot. Their son Jackson will be a sophomore this fall at Iowa State University, where he is double-majoring in Chemistry and Secondary Education. He wants to teach high school and coach varsity basketball.

Bonnie, James and Jackson

Now that she is an empty-nester, Bonnie decided the time was right to again make a career change. She has worked the past five years in client relations, project management and PR with advertising and design firms in Greater Des Moines.

“I am most excited to work with the marketing and sales teams to promote the brand and share the Latham Seeds story. I know there is tremendous brand loyalty for this company and that speaks volumes about its leadership and commitment to customer service,” says Bonnie. “I am really looking forward to meeting our dealers this summer and celebrating their ongoing partnership with Latham Seeds. I’m also excited to learn how technology plays an important role in delivering the highest-quality products to Latham Seeds’ family of customers.”

Bonnie adds: “Latham Seeds is a family-owned company with a rich history that is appealing to me. While neither my husband nor I have an ag background, some of our dearest friends do – and we’ve grown to love the cyclical, beautiful life we see in farming. I’ve been fortunate to have worked in marketing for several ag companies, including a large animal feed business, and I’m always inspired by the hard-working, down-to-earth people I meet. Working for a company that helps farmers feed the world is a blessing by itself!”

In her spare time, Bonnie enjoys reading and cooking. She says her family enjoys traveling, golfing and playing ridiculously competitive board games. They also never miss a Cyclone tailgate. Today Bonnie is sharing with us one of her favorite recipes for Key Lime Pie.

shannonlatham

June 9, 2022

Desserts, Food & Family, General, Latham News, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Crowning Moment for Franklin County Iowa’s Rebekah Craighton
Rebekah Craighton, Midwest Cover Miss United States Agriculture

What would you do if you were queen for a day?

It’s a question Rebekah Craighton, a 2021 graduate of Hampton-Dumont High School in Franklin County, Iowa, has been asking herself nearly every day for more than a year.

Rebekah has been preparing to answer interview questions as she will compete June 24-25 against 18 other young women for the title of 2022 National Miss United States Agriculture. Her road to nationals in Orlando, Florida, began on Dec. 4, 2021, when she was crowned Midwest Cover Miss United States Agriculture and received the award for Supreme County Presence because she visited the most counties of all contestants.

Contestants in both the regional and national competitions compete in five areas: (1) Introduction; (2) Interview; (3) Fun Fashion; (4) Formal Wear and (5) On-Stage Question. A scholarship will be awarded to the young woman who is named National Miss US Ag.

One reason Rebekah is vying for the title is because she grew up in town and didn’t have an opportunity to learn about agriculture until she became a 4-H and FFA member.

“I believe every child should have a basic knowledge of where their food comes from and the processes that go into food production,” says Rebekah, who just finished her first year at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) where she is majoring in Elementary Education. “I thought serving as Miss US Ag would be an opportunity to learn about different aspects of ag, as well as provide me with a platform to share my passions for agriculture and education.”

Running on a platform of agricultural education within the elementary classroom, Rebekah has read ag-related books in elementary classrooms. She also has taught ag-related lessons and spoken at school assemblies.

“Elementary-age students are always exploring,” says Rebekah. “They’re trying to figure out the world, and it’s SO fun to watch them learn and grow. Another reason I love my platform so much is because I get to interact with younger kids all the time, and I love watching them figure out ag-related learning!”

In January 2021, Rebekah began her reign as Miss United States Agriculture for Franklin County. She has worked her way through the pageant ranks by wearing her crown several places, including a Butler County dairy farm with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig during June Dairy Month, a Central Iowa apple orchard in September, and the Iowa Capitol during the legislative session. She has spent time visiting numerous other farms that raise horses, goats, alpaca, and ostriches, as well as produce honey and pumpkins. Her travels have led to interesting adventures. In October 2021, Rebekah was named a Top 5 Iowa Miss Agriculture Advocacy Ambassador.

Rebekah with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig

Representatives from Miss U.S. Agriculture visited the Iowa Capitol in March 2022. Pictured from left to right are: Rebekah Craighton, 2022 Midwest Cover Miss United States Agriculture; Jessica Simmons, 2023 Franklin County Teen Miss United States Agriculture; Rep. Shannon Latham; and Addy Moellers, 2023 Franklin County Junior Miss United States Agriculture.

Jeana Curtis (2020 Midwest Cover Miss) is passing the crown to Katie Folkmann (2021 Midwest Cover Miss) who is passing the crown to Rebekah Craighton (2022 Midwest Cover Miss)

These statewide travels, as well as expenses to travel to and compete in the contests, have been funded through sponsorships and fundraisers. Rebekah wishes to thank the following sponsors.

Gold Sponsors
- First Bank Hampton
- Dudley’s Corner
- Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds
- Chad Hanson Trucking
Silver Sponsors
- Greg Horn Farms
- Travis Pralle
- Tall Corn FFA
- Tall Corn FFA Alumni
- Geisinger Potography
- Lifted Aesthetics
- Green Acres Seed Farms
Bronze Sponsors:
- All-American Tactical, LLC
- Dragonfire Dancing Horses
- Ansgar Saddle Co.
- Lohrbach Insurance
- Got You Covered!
In addition, Rebekah sold merchandise and held bake sales to raise funds for her competitions. Baking is one of Rebekah’s favorite past times. She also enjoys shooting trap, traveling, painting and volunteering.

Today Rebekah is sharing her love of baking by sharing a seasonal recipe for rhubarb cake.
shannonlatham

June 3, 2022

Desserts, Food & Family, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Making Pork a Business and Dining Tradition

“Our family has practically been raising pigs since they got off the Mayflower,” says Andrew Perry, who farms with his father, Blaine, in Northwest Iowa. Andrew grew up also raising sheep, cattle and chickens. A Perry has been farming in Cherokee County for six generations. Blaine and his wife, Darlene, are the third generation to live on the home place near Aurelia.

Not only does the Perry’s business relationship with pork go way back, but they also enjoy the fruits of their labor by making pork a mainstay on their dinner table. While nutritious, lean, high-protein pork powers the humans in their operation, the Perrys also make sure to provide their pigs with the right diet.

“We feed 80 percent of the corn we raise, so we keep corn for nine months before we haul any of it to town,” explains Blaine, who runs the combine while Andrew hauls grain from the field to the bins. They practice a 50-50 crop rotation and raise seed beans on contract.

When selecting corn hybrids, test weight and quality of seed is their focus. That is why Blaine and Andrew rely on Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds for their quality corn hybrids.

“We raise corn that feeds our hogs. Then we use the manure our hogs produce to fertilize our fields,” says Blaine. “When you think about it, our operation comes full circle. Hog manure is ‘organic,’ but many people just don’t realize that manure has such a high value.”

Until 2022, the Perrys were independent pork producers with one nursery that supplied them with the pigs needed for their wean-to-finish operation. Now they custom finish hogs.

Conveniently, one mile away, a neighbor built a feed mill. The Perrys haul their corn to the mill, which helps with biosecurity. Blaine and Andrew are the only two who enter their buildings. They credit controlling truck traffic and people inside their facilities for keeping their hogs healthier. When PEDV (Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus) hit in 2013, they tightened up security – and it worked.

Andrew lives in Alta with his wife, Liz, and their young daughter, Danika. Liz is a teacher at Cherokee Community School. She and Andrew started kindergarten together but didn’t start dating until college.

Farming is all Andrew says he ever wanted to do, so he studied Agribusiness at Iowa Lakes Community College for two years. Then he transferred to Northwest Missouri State, where he earned a Bachelor of Technology degree in Agronomy.

When they’re not busy on the farm, this family enjoys taking tractor rides together. All three of Blaine and Darlene’s children enjoy riding together in Peterson’s Annual Trip on Old Tractors (PATOOT). Oldest son, Adam, is a band teacher at Sioux Central and lives with his family in Peterson. Their daughter, Brooke, lives in Gillette, Wyoming.

Just as pork production can adapt to most any challenge you throw at it, pork can adapt to most any meal need, even desserts, as Liz Blaine’s Bacon Bourbon Apple Pie proves.

shannonlatham

May 27, 2022

Food & Family, General, Pork, Recipes