Jay Lausen has lived in his childhood home all his life. He started farming in high school, first planting Latham® soybeans in 1990, and has continued to plant them ever since. When his parents, Dennis and Pauline, built a new house shortly after he graduated, Jay stayed on the family farm just outside Estherville, Iowa, and took on the operation.
Jay also took over his uncle’s Latham Seeds dealership when he retired, and he continued to sell the Latham soybeans both he and Uncle Ralph Lausen had grown to rely on over the years. Today Jay is 100% Latham, planting and selling both soybeans and corn.
“I was so accustomed to the quality of Latham soybeans and its yield,” Jay says. “I judged how other companies performed and Latham was just very high performing.”
A large seed company wooed Jay away for a few years, but he soon tired of “the big company attitude.” Even when he was selling that competitor’s seed, Jay was still planting Latham soybeans on his own farm.
He signed back on with Latham and has never looked back.
“The big guys cared more about the shareholder than they did about the customer,” Jay says. “Family values are what I want to represent. The seed industry is very competitive. It’s hard to set yourself apart, but Latham always has.”
Jay and his wife, Kohlene, have four children: Natalie, Elizabeth, Caleb and Megan. In their free time, they enjoy hiking, riding bicycles, spending time in Okoboji, Iowa and vacationing in the Western United States.
Their family always enjoys this recipe for Cheesy Potatoes — a classic in the Lausens’ home.
America is rich in its history and traditions. Every year, the Fourth of July brings families and friends together to celebrate America’s independence with parades, activities and of course delicious food. Here at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we are rooted in our history as an independent-family-owned company
But what’s more American than a Fourth of July picnic? Actually, the word “picnic” comes from “pique nique,” which is French for “to pick.” Picnics were often held indoors, where everyone contributed their own dish. Since the 1830s Americans have embraced, which has been captured in many American paintings ever since.
Today, many of us couldn’t imagine celebrating the Fourth without a picnic, thanks to this easy and fun tradition. Whether you are celebrating on a boat, watching fireworks or in your own backyard, food is always a centerpiece of the festivities — because it has a special way of bringing people together. This holiday, we’re celebrating “picnic style” by sharing Sunnyside Farms baked beans and Grandma V’s Fruit Salad recipes to add to your celebrations.
From all of us at Latham Seeds, have a safe and Happy Fourth of July!
Baked Beans Supreme
Ingredients:
1 28 ounce can Bush’s Original Baked Beans
2 28 ounce cans Bush’s Onion Baked Beans
1 ½ pounds ground beef, browned and drained
¾ cup brown sugar
½ stick butter
1 ½ cup Famous Dave’s Rich & Sassy barbecue sauce
1 teaspoon pepper
Dried onion to cover the top
Pinch garlic powder
½ pound bacon, fried and cut into ½-inch pieces
1 package polish sausage sliced
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a 6-quart crockpot. Cook all day on LOW or on HIGH for 2 ½ or 3 hours
Grandma V’s Fruit Salad
Ingredients:
2 egg yolks
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup sugar
Scant 2 tablespoons vinegar
Dash of salt
1 cup whipped cream
Instructions:
Cream together eggs, butter and sugar
Mix in vinegar and salt; cook in double boiler until thick, stirring constantly
Cool mixture and then add 1 cup whipped cream
Pour over fresh fruit (bananas, strawberries and grapes) then refrigerate
Latham’s Sandie Johnson Retires After 43 Years in the Seed Industry
From sunflowers to kidney beans to soybeans and corn, Sandie Johnson says her 43 years in the ag industry has treated her well.
She was just 25 years old when she started in the sunflower research department for SIGCO Research in Breckenridge, Minn. In the fall, she worked in the fields, collecting moisture samples for testing. In the winter, she threshed sunflower heads one by one, putting the seeds in envelopes for planting.
“It was hard, monotonous work,” says Sandie, who is retiring from Latham Seeds after 12 years of working with farmers and dealers.
A knack for numbers and an interest in accounting took Sandie to the accounts payable department at SIGCO, where, among other things, she tracked all capital purchases. When SIGCO was bought by Mycogen Seeds, she moved to a different department (SVO) that contracted with farmers to grow high oleic oil sunflowers — and was happy to continue working with growers through delivery, billing and settlements for their crops throughout the season.
The purchase of a lake house in 1994 an hour away prompted Sandie and her husband to relocate.
Her new job was as an office “floater” at the hospital in Fergus Falls, Minn. It only took six months for her to realize how much she missed working in the ag industry.
“It was the same thing every flippin’ day!” Sandie says of the hospital position. “I couldn’t do it.”
She accepted an opening at Prairie Bean Co., (a division of ConAgra) and focused her attention on processing kidney beans. And then in 1996, Sandie moved to Wisconsin to be the office manager at Brown Seed Farms. As a small company, she handled everything in the office – from seed orders, shipments, returns, account receivables, payments and settlements, payroll and accounts payable. Thirteen years later, when Brown Seed was sold to NuTech Seed, she relocated to Forest City, Iowa and continued to work with the dealer network that also moved to NuTech.
“Then one of the RSMs I worked with at NuTech went to Latham Seeds,” Sandie says. “He told me they needed someone and I was interested in working with a family-owned business again.”
That was in 2011, when Sandie accepted a seed account manager position at Latham. She worked with farmer-dealers for several regions for 10 years until December 2022, when she moved into the finance department — again relying on her knack for numbers and accounting experience.
“I’ve been so lucky that I’ve always enjoyed who I worked for in this industry,” Sandie says. “I’ve loved working in agriculture every minute. It’s been very good to me.”
The unexpected death of her son-in-law earlier this year made Sandie reevaluate her future. In many ways the tragedy brought her and her children closer together. But it was a life-changing event that she simply couldn’t ignore.
“Going through it, we saw the value in each other,” Sandie says. “And while I love what I do – my job and the people I work with – I love my family more.”
Sandie and her husband, Todd, live in Forest City with their two dogs: Zuzu, a 15-year-old puggle, and Stella, a one-year-old Dalmatian.
She has two children, two stepchildren and six grandchildren. Sandie’s an avid baseball fan (especially of the Minnesota Twins) and loves participating in community theatre, which she’s done for most of her adult life in several states.
Her plans after retirement?
“I intend to do my best to be fully present and enjoy every minute I can with family and friends.”
In honor of her time at Latham Seeds, Sandie is sharing a recipe for the dish she has always brought to the annual holiday potluck.
Blooming Benefits: Bringing Pollinator Plots to the Farm
As we begin to plant our gardens this year, Latham Seeds’ very own Gary Geske wants us to set aside some space for the tiny creatures that play a huge role in crop reproduction, sustainability and food security. These are Mother Nature’s pollinators such as bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and beetles.
Gary Geske
Gary has first-hand experience on what avid gardeners call the “pollinator project.” April, he says, is the perfect time to think about what pollinator plots are – and how they can be incorporated into backyards and farm fields.
“Everybody tends to have a garden that ends up getting bigger than they want it to,” says Gary, who has worked for Latham for 13 years and is our corn product specialist. “So, take an end of the garden and just plant some wildflowers. Or use flowers around the border of the garden. It will attract bees to pollinate your watermelon or other vegetables, and it will help the environment, too.”
Farmers can also contribute to pollinator plots by planting a diverse mix of native wildflowers somewhere on their land. These flowers provide a much-needed variety of pollen and nectar sources during the growing season – and they attract an even more diverse range of pollinators.
“Take a look at that odd, two-acre spot on your farm . . . that awkward spot in the corner where it’s hard to get equipment in,” Gary suggests. “Turn that into a safe zone for honeybees and other pollinators. Put it somewhere that’s not easy to get to, so it truly becomes a haven for them.”
Gary, who farms in North Dakota, planted two acres of tall grass prairie along his driveway. It includes flowers that make it a true pollinator plot. He says it also feels like he “recreated the old west.” Other farmers in his area have started tilling field borders or the sides along their driveways and planting flowers there, too.
“The terms ‘pollinator plot’ and ‘ornamental planting’ can be the very same thing,” Gary says. “Whether intentional or not, incorporating plants that give food and shelter to pollinators is a good thing for all of us.”
2 acres of Tall Grass Native Prairie planted along our driveway with wildflowers in the mix for pollinators
Because pollinator populations have been declining over the years due to habitat loss and other factors, it’s more important than ever that farmers help reverse the trend. Because in order to thrive, these invaluable ecosystems need our gardening help.
Says Gary: “It really doesn’t take much to make a big difference.”
Family traditions always seem to come out during the holidays. But we all have special rituals we do throughout the year together, too. Maybe it’s for birthdays, such as cupcakes for breakfast (yes, it’s a thing). Maybe you make a point to celebrate your kids’ first or last days of school in a unique way.
Christmas, however, brings its own magic to the mix of family traditions. These are activities that connect one generation to the next, keeping memories alive for decades.
As a family-owned business, Latham Seeds is a huge believer in making memories with loved ones all year long. Our traditions run deep, but – like yours – they shine especially bright this time of year.
One of our favorite traditions as a company is the annual Christmas potluck, which we just wrapped up earlier this week. This is when employees bring a favorite dish to pass, and we all share a meal together. We also reserve time on this day for every employee to put a custom-made ornament on the tree in our office lobby. The ornaments are etched with the first names of each Latham employee.
We also mix up the Christmas potluck fun with an annual Ugly Sweater contest. This brings out the most creative expressions for all of us to see! There’s always “that one” who tops them all.
Sandie with her festive sweater!The Grinch made an appearance!John and Shannon decorating the tree.
Last year Quinten Bohlman won with a reindeer hat. In years’ past we’ve been delighted by other holiday cheer — like Rod Fesenmeyer’s memorable Donner costume!
This reindeer hat is a fun memory!
If you can’t win the ugly sweater contest, you can certainly go for our Christmas trivia Kahoot game, which is exactly what Fred Wilz did to win a beautiful wreath.
Fred new his trivia which landed him a wreath!
A holiday potluck wouldn’t be complete, of course, without food. Enjoy this recipe for sweet potato casserole — appropriately provided by Latham driver Steve Sweet.
May you and your family embrace all your holiday traditions this year, no matter how big or small!
Deliveries With a Personal Touch Keep Him Trucking Through Latham Country
Growing up, Steve Sweet spent every summer and school break riding along in the cab of his father’s big rig as he hauled goods or chemicals across the country. By the time Steve was in junior high school, he’d seen all 48 contiguous states — and figured out what his lifelong career would be.
“I followed in his footsteps,” Steve says of his dad, Norman. “I’ve been driving now for over 33 years.”
Like his father, Steve started driving dump trucks when he was 18. He went on the road at 21, traveling for months at a time throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. He hauled mostly meat and produce at first; then propane, grain and livestock. What he really enjoyed, however, was delivering to farmers.
“There’s just a much more personal touch,” Steve says. “I like getting to know the people rather than just dumping it off and saying, ‘See ya.’ With other hauls, the chances of seeing the same people again are slim to none.”
That’s why, when Steve saw that Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds was looking for a truck driver in 2021, he applied for the job. He works full-time for Latham now and knows all his customers (and most of their families) by name. Roughly half of the dealers he delivers seed to are shorter runs, which allows him to visit a little more at each stop.
“It’s nice to be able to chit chat a little after unloading,” he says. “The people are just my favorite thing about Latham.”
Steve grew up in Roland, Iowa. He lives just four blocks from his childhood home. He enjoys helping on his in-laws’ nearby farm, where they have 25 head of cattle and 80 acres of corn plus another 80 acres of pasture ground. He and his wife, Tasha, have five grown children and six grandchildren. Tasha is a case manager for Telligen, a national healthcare management company.
The truck driving career that Steve decided on as a young boy continues to deliver pride and satisfaction every day. Not only does it keep him going, Steve knows it also keeps the country going.
“Anything you eat, anything you own . . . at some point or another it’s been on a truck,” he says. “Just like dad, I’ll be doing it until I retire. And I’ll be telling all the stories of everywhere I’ve been.”
Since Steve’s job often requires him to default to quick, pre-packaged gas station meals like pizza and burritos, he has a long list of his favorite homemade meals. One side dish that is the family’s go-to is Buttery Sweet Potato Casserole.
Which came first, the Easter bunny or Easter eggs?
Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates to at least the 13th century, according to The History Channel. It is believed German immigrants brought the egg-laying hare to Pennsylvania in the 1700s. Their children made nests where this fabled creature could lay its colored eggs. As this custom spread across the nation, Easter morning deliveries expanded to include chocolate and other types of candy and gifts.
It has been 59 years since my mom hosted her family’s first egg hunt, and our tradition is still strong and growing through five generations. Mom also makes an Easter egg tree annually, so this year I asked her help us make a fresh one. Mom cut a branch from her lilac tree, cemented it into a coffee can and painted the branches white. Then she showed our Italian exchange student how to carefully use a needle to make a small hole at the top of the egg and a larger hole at the bottom, so we could blow out the yolks. (Anyone else do this and then make an angel food cake?)
My Mom Shirley and ElleMy Mom Shirley, Elle and Giulia
When I was a kid, we couldn’t purchase Easter tree decorations at the store. We had to color real chicken eggs and then decorate the tree branches with silk flowers and ribbons. Now our tree contains a mixture of handmade and store-bought decorations.
In years’ past, we dyed hard-boiled eggs that were then turned into my mom’s legendary potato salad. I remember standing on a kitchen chair as a little girl, so I could reach the kitchen counter where Mom would help me make an Easter bunny cake. Another one of my favorite memories is when a live bunny was left in my Easter basket.
Now that my kids are adults our traditions continue to evolve. My daughter will tell you that Easter dinner isn’t complete without ham and a side of macaroni and cheese with corn. My cousin makes the absolute best homemade version of this, using our grandma’s recipe for frozen sweet corn. Today I’m sharing a similar recipe from our hometown church cookbook.
In addition, I’m sharing recipe ideas for Easter brunch. I enjoy using leftover holiday ham to make the two casseroles. Ham also makes a great side to French toast.
At Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we have been kicking off the holidays with an all-company potluck since 2009. This year, we thought our gathering was worthy of a Christmas poem. Enjoy our little story and our pictures! Here’s to carrying on your own cherished family traditions this season.
This week at Latham Seeds, we all gave a cheer
For the food and the sweaters — yes, our potluck was here!
Crockpots and cookies all waited in line
And the tacos arrived, just precisely on time.
Who brought that cheese dip? Who made those bars?
Mexican sushi? Oh, we’re eating like stars.
“Feliz Navidad” was our theme for this year,
There were jalapeños galore, for those with no fear.
We had cheesy corn and tortillas, beans and rice
And all the Christmas staples – so much sugar, so much spice!
Our ugly sweater contest brought Quentin some fame.
But who knew Spanish Bingo is the best reindeer game?
Quentin was our big winner!
Personalized ornaments were hung on the tree
As a thank you to Team Latham for everyone to see.
With hearts and bellies full, no one left without
Because a tradition like this is what family’s all about.
Enjoy a recipe that was brought to the potluck below!
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.
Gene Thormodsgaard raised his children two miles north of his family’s farm in Beresford, South Dakota, but he traveled thousands of miles before returning to the land and the lifestyle he has always loved.
After graduating from high school in 1960, Gene moved east for opportunity.
“My dad told me not to be a farmer, so I tried following his advice,” recalls Gene. “My brother and his friend were living in southern Illinois and working in the ironworks. They told me the pay was better out east, so I moved to Janesville, Wisconsin. I worked in Wisconsin for a year but realized factory life wasn’t for me. I moved home and went to work at the co-op. I really enjoyed working with farmers.”
Shortly thereafter, Gene was drafted into the United States Army. He served with the 724th maintenance battalion from 1964 to 1966 in southern Bavaria during the Vietnam War. He was a teletype operator with Company A of the 24th Infantry Division in Augsburg, Germany.
When his military service was complete, Gene returned to Bearsford. He started working once again at the co-op, delivering fuel to farmers. Gene also began farming rented ground in 1968. When one of his parents’ neighbors got hurt, Gene was given the chance to buy his farm. Gene bought his first farm at age 27.
Gene’s bachelor years consisted of working and farming until one life-changing evening when he and a buddy drove into Sioux Falls. They saw a couple of girls sitting at a table. Like the lyrics to Franki Valli’s 1967 hit, “Can’t take my eyes off of you,” Gene was drawn to Carol. The couple was married in 1974.
The newlyweds made their home on the farm Gene has purchased. They were blessed with two sons.
“Carol is an organizer extraordinaire,” says Gene with a smile. “She does so much for all of us.”
In 1975, Gene and his neighbors decided to buy Northrup-King seed together to save money. Back then, seed was delivered on a flatbed truck. The truck driver backed up to the barn, and every bag was manually unloaded.
“My NK rep made the move to Latham Seeds, and he encouraged me to try some,” says Gene. “I wasn’t getting the product I wanted from NK at the time, so I tried Latham® soybeans. They were great! When you pulled the rip cord, you didn’t see dust. There was nothing but pure seed inside a bag. Once my customers tried Latham, they didn’t want to plant anything else. It wasn’t long before Latham was all I sold. Latham remains the best quality seed on the market.”
Gene enjoys working with farmers and selling seed so much that he continues to operate his dealership. Like many good farmers, he won’t ever really retire. One of his neighbors began renting Gene and Carol’s farm ground in 2012, but Gene still helps him put in and take out the crop each year.
“I got into Latham because of the quality of the seed, but I’ve stayed with the company because of the quality and they are a great company to do business,” says Gene. “My RSM, Ramie Coughlin, is always there when I need her. She does an awesome job.”
In addition to selling seed and farming, Gene has been active in his community. He is a member of the VFW Legion. He served on Co-op Service Association at Bearsford for 12 years, and then he started serving on the board of the Eastern South Dakota Soil & Water Research Farm in Brookings. Gene was its treasurer for 30 years and remains an active board member. He served on the Lincoln County Conservation Board for 48 years. Gene is also active in his church and has served on church council. He has been a deacon and trustee, as well. When his children were young, Gene taught Sunday school. Gene’s wife Carol was involved in ladies aid as president and vice president through the years. She was involved as a Cub Scout leader and the Thormodsgaard family was awarded Cub Scout Family of the Year. Carol enjoys keeping up with landscaping and her flower gardens across the farm.
The Thormodsgaard’s oldest son, Tyson, is a senior software engineer for Lockheed Martin. His wife, Jenny, is a speech pathologist in Colorado Springs. Their 15-year-old son, Colin, has medaled in golf. Their 13 daughter, Annika, has earned two black belts in Tao Kwando. The Thormodsgaard’s youngest son, Trent, is an account rep for PartsDoctor.com. His wife Victorria is a registered nurse. She is the manager of the case management department at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls.
The Thormodsgaard FamilyTyson and Jenny ThormodsgaardTrent and Victorria Thormodsgaard
The Ride of His Life
Trent gave Gene, a race fan, the gift of driving a stock car at the racetrack in Newton, Iowa. Due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the outing was postponed until August 2021. After two hours of instruction, Gene got behind the wheel.
“I was 79 when I crawled in there! You have to crawl through the window, and it’s really tight inside the car,” explains Gene. “My son thinks I was running 120 miles per hour around that truck. I didn’t dare put it to the floorboard! That was quite the experience and I sure enjoyed it. I met the nicest people there and became instant friends with a guy from Wisconsin, who attended the driving school with me.”
Gene and Carol enjoy unique experiences, which is one of the reasons they look forward to attending the annual Latham® Dealer Kickoff meetings. They also enjoy traveling as often as possible to visit their grandchildren in Colorado. They also enjoyed visiting Gene’s great aunt, who lived in Washington state. In loving memory of her, the Thormodsgaards are sharing a recipe that Aunt Hannah used to make when they visited her.
“This hearty salad is a great choice to brighten up a cool Midwest day, or a great way to cool down on a hot summer’s evening,” says Carol. “It especially good with a glass of white wine.”
