This week college basketball teams and their loyal fans will travel to eight cities for 48 games during the first four-day weekend of America’s unofficial hoops holiday. They will then move to four cities for the Sweet 16 before arriving in New Orleans where the Final Four will run April 2-4.
We’re helping fans everywhere prepare with 10 themed recipes from our blog. Whether your favorite teams win or loses, you’ll always be a winner when you bring your “A Game” to the table! Good food makes the agony of defeat more bearable or the thrill of victory sweeter.
Iowans were thrilled on Selection Sunday, March 13, when both the University of Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State University Cyclones were invited to The Big Dance. Fresh off a Big 10 Championship title, the University of Iowa Hawkeyes were given a 5-seed. The Hawks will play 12th-seeded Richmond Spiders, which also won its conference tournament, at 2:10 p.m. on March 17.
Iowa State University will play on Friday, March 17, at 6:20 p.m. After going 0-18 last season in the Big 12 and 2-22 overall, new head coach T.J. Otzelberger’s has led the Cyclones to their first NCAA tournament since 2019. The Cyclones will be an 11th-seed this year, matching up against the sixth-seeded Louisiana State University Tigers.
Throughout the basketball season, every free throw made by Iowa State University and University of Iowa, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds donated to the American Cancer Society through Coaches vs Cancer!
The 2022 Iowa State University Check Presentation.The 2022 University of Iowa Check Presentation.
Whether you want to cheer on your favorite teams while enjoying a St. Patrick’s Day feast, simple pub grub or southern comfort food, you’ll find it in our Game Day Recipe Roundup. Below are favorite recipes that were featured by Latham Seeds on “The Field Position:
Remember to tune into after the game to the Latham Locker Room Report on Cyclone Radio. The Latham Locker Room show is a post-game radio broadcast in which analysts, coaches and players share their thoughts on the game.
With 19 returning starters from last year’s Fiesta Bowl championship team and a #7 ranking in the Associated Press’ preseason poll, Iowa State University (ISU) fans are fired up for the Cyclones’ season opener on Sept. 4. Another highly anticipated game will be played Sept. 11 as part of the annual Cy-Hawk Series.
There have been years – more years than most Cyclone fans want to admit – when the only things that got fired up on Game Day were grills. Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ General Manager Ryan and Meg Schon started honing their tailgating skills 25 years ago when their favorite team didn’t have a hope of post-season play, and “Tailgate Victoriously” became their rally cry.
Among the sea of pickup trucks and campers parked near Jack Trice Stadium, you’ll find creative tailgating vehicles like converted school buses and repurposed ambulances. This year marks the fourth season that Latham® Seeds Dealer Sean Waldstein will host family members and friends for tailgates before the Cyclone football games in a converted ambulance.
This year marks the fourth season that Latham® Seeds Dealer Sean Waldstein will host family members and friends for tailgates before the Cyclone football games in a converted ambulance.
“This year is an exciting step forward for ISU football,” says Sean Waldstein, who grew up cheering for Iowa State as both of his parents are alumni.
Retro logos add flare to the Waldstein tailgate ambulance.
After graduating in 2000 from Sioux Central High School, Sean attended classes at ISU where he completed his undergrad studies in Exercise Science. He volunteered for the ISU football strength program and completed an internship at the University of Wyoming in its strength program. He went on to earn his master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Iowa State. While attending Iowa State, Sean met his wife, Amanda, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from ISU and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Drake University.
The newly married couple made their home in Urbandale, Iowa, where Sean worked as a strength coach for Drake University and then ISU. In 2013, they moved near Lincoln, Nebraska, where Sean worked in corporate wellness and Amanda was able to stay home. In 2017, Sean and Amanda decided to raise their children near family and moved back to Sean’s hometown in Northwest Iowa. Amanda works as a Salesforce administrator / business analyst, and Sean farms with his dad. The Waldstein family grows corn and soybeans, as well as raises pigs.
Retro logos add flare to the Waldstein tailgate ambulance.
In addition, Sean works as a substitute teacher and coaches junior high girls basketball. He drives the bus mostly for the teams he coaches and helps with the school’s weight program. Sean and Amanda are the proud parents of two daughters and one son. Their oldest daughter, Ryleigh, is a freshman in high school and a four-sport athlete. Peyton is in sixth grade, and Evan is in third grade. This active family especially enjoys water sports all summer long.
“Water skiing, barefoot, solemn and wakeboarding… you name it, we do it!” says Sean.
Summer fun transitions into the fall tailgating season. Although Sean wasn’t looking for a tailgating vehicle, the opportunity presented itself.
“The guy who spreads our hog manure had used the ambulance as a service vehicle, but the ambulance no longer fit his needs,” says Sean. After striking a deal for the ambulance, Sean and Amanda got to work on making it suit their needs.
The first tailgating season they painted the outside of the ambulance and cleaned up the inside. The next season they added the 1983 and 1984 Cy logos on the outside. Most recently, a hitch was added to be able to transport a griddle.
Inside the retrofitted Waldstein tailgate ambulance.
“One of my cousins lives in Ames, so we take the ambulance down to her place for the season. On Game Day, our family and my cousin’s family all pile into the ambulance and head to the tailgate,” says Sean. “The ambulance has made tailgating so much more enjoyable because it stores all of our equipment. We don’t have to hassle with unloading tables, chairs, a tent and grill once we get home.”
The whole family piles into the ambulance on Game Day!
In celebration of the fall football season, today Sean is sharing with us one of his family’s favorite tailgating recipes for Pickle Wrap Dip. We’re also linking to several other Game Day recipes, so you can celebrate the season whether you’re sitting on a tailgate in a farm field during fall harvest or outside your favorite football field.
This often-cited comment isn’t just a favored figure of speech. A 2013 published study proved that people involved in long-distance relationships had more meaningful interactions than those who saw each other daily.
While I prefer seeing those I love frequently, perhaps the adage best applies to Iowans’ love affair with the Iowa State Fair.
Sunset at the iconic Iowa State Fair
After its absence last year, one of our nation’s most iconic events returns Aug 12-22.
Call it a hunch, but my gut tells me the crowds will be enormous.
This will be my 25th fair in 26 years. After teetering on state fair burnout at the close of the 2019 edition, I’m ready and waiting for the gates to open and the canon sound 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 12.
America Needs Farmers artwork at the Iowa State Fair
Once again, I’m relishing thoughts of riding the sky glide, walking the cattle barn, navigating the Grand Concourse, sampling corn dogs, hot beef sundaes, and deep fried deviled eggs (check out the latter at the Cluck ‘n Coop tucked just inside the Midway operated by my friend Shon Bruellman).
I’m also looking forward to advocating once again for farmers during the 11-day event. The number of state fair visitors routinely tops one million. Most who walk the grounds have little to no connection to agriculture.
The Iowa Food & Family Project (Iowa FFP) returns to the southeast atrium of the Varied Industries Building. It’s our 10th year in the location. Given roughly 250,000 fairgoers pass through the atrium annually, simple math tells me we’ve rubbed elbows with almost 2.5 million people.
Rooster at the Iowa State Fair
The impact has been measurable. Each fair, we add thousands of new fans to Iowa FFP’s audience. In addition to having an appetite for state fair cuisine, they hunger for candid and accurate information about the food they eat, how it’s grown and who grows it. The Iowa FFP is an open book about food, family and farming. We welcome the interest people have in all things food-related, from the simple (no, chocolate milk doesn’t come from brown cows!) to the complicated (yes, genetic modification is a good thing).
Those who sign up to engage with Iowa FFP receive farm-fresh information about modern agriculture via a
combination of our e-newsletter, popular Fresh Pickings Magazine (published quarterly) and social media offerings. Not only does the audience stick, but surveys show that those engaged with the Iowa FFP are 6% more trusting of modern agriculture than the general public.
Aaron Putze, APR, serves as the Sr. Dir., Information and Education for the Iowa Soybean Association. He was raised on a farm near West Bend and lives in Waukee with his wife Crystal and children Garrett, Grant and Jaelyn.
Given it’s our 10th fair, we’re going back to how it all began. In August 2010, our first exhibit featured numerous ag-centric creations made entirely out of canned and packaged food items. In 2021, we’re constructing a larger-than-life tribute to Iowa farmers. It will again be built entirely of canned and packaged food. While I’m not about to spill the beans on what we’ll be constructing, rest assured that you’ll leave the exhibit knowing that our food, land and future is in good hands because of the dedication of Iowa’s farm families.
But that’s not the only place the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) will have a presence. In addition to joining with Iowa’s commodity organizations to bring the Iowa FFP exhibit to life, biodiesel made from soybeans will power the state fair trams. Children participating in the super-popular Little Hands on the Farm will learn how soybeans are grown while visitors to the Ag Building will have the opportunity to visit with soybean farmers on select days. ISA is also helping support the volunteers who will be caring for the pigs, poults and turkeys fairgoers will ooh and awe at in the Animal Learning Center.
Absence might make the heart grow fonder but coming together is the best way to connect people who don’t farm with those who do.
And, so it will be again this year at the Iowa State Fair. I for one can’t wait.
Schminke Family “Goes the Distance” to Support Childhood Cancer
Many Midwest farmers will be harvesting crops on Oct. 10, 2021, but Kyle and Sarah Schminke of Shellsburg, Iowa, will be running in the 43rd Chicago Marathon. Their goal is to raise awareness about childhood cancer, as well as money for the University of Iowa Dance Marathon. Training is already underway for this father-daughter team, and we’re inviting you to cheer on this Eastern Iowa Latham® dealer.
The Schminke Family
“I knew I wanted to get involved on campus, and I had seen some of my older friends post about the University of Iowa Dance Marathon,” says Sarah, who will begin her junior year this fall at the University of Iowa, majoring in Communications Studies with a minor in Rhetoric and Persuasion. She also is earning an event management certificate.
While many people wouldn’t look forward to running a marathon let alone paying a $1,250 entry fee to serve as a charity runner, the Schminkes are looking forward to running this together.
“It’s important to Sarah, so it’s important to me,” says Kyle, who farms with Sarah at his side. His wife, Kyla, works at the local family practice clinic in Shellsburg. His oldest daughter, Dawne, works for UnityPoint pediatrics as a patient service representative.
“Older people are sometimes critical of the younger generation, but just look at the passion the students like Sarah have for Dance Marathon!” adds Kyle. “When you do selfless acts, you feel better. It motivates you. Sarah understands she has a pretty good life, and we should be thankful for what we have. I’m so impressed by the selflessness, and I’m so excited for Sarah to be doing this.”
This father-daughter team has a goal of finishing the race and raising awareness. They’re confident they can, and they will! Kyle completed Iron Man competitions in 2015 and 2016. Sarah ran track and cross country but tore her ACL during her senior year of high school. She wears a brace when she runs, but she isn’t complaining because many people have it so much worse.
Kyle and Sarah are training for the Chicago Marathon. Their goal is to raise awareness about childhood cancer, as well as money for the University of Iowa Dance Marathon.
“I’m not running for me. This is for those kids,” says Sarah. “I don’t care about how much pain I’m in. I’m running for the kids who can’t.”
Kyle and Sarah will be running with a list of 26 names on their arms of children for whom they are running. These are called their “mile motivators.” Sarah knows looking down at the names on her arm will be the motivation she needs to keep running and finish strong.
University of Iowa Dance Marathon
Sarah during The Big Event in February 2020.
The University of Iowa Dance Marathon (UIDM) is the university’s largest student-run organization and the third largest Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon of more than 300 such organizations across the United States. It is a year-long endeavor that includes monthly events, including events for families with children fighting childhood cancer, fundraising events and dancer events. Everything leads up to The Big Event, which is held annually in February.
During The Big Event, students raise money by dancing for 24 straight hours. Dance Marathon families share inspiring stories about children who have battled cancer and won, explains Sarah. Kids who lost their courageous battle are remembered Dancing in Our Hearts.
“During The Big Event my freshman year, I remember texting my mom, ‘My feet hurt so bad. Why am I doing this?’ My mom replied, ‘You only have 24 hours of pain, but those kids may have a lifetime of pain. There is a reason to everything you’re doing.’ That’s the motivation I needed to keep going that night and to remain involved in this event. I want to do what I can to help families affected by childhood cancer.”
The 2021 Big Event, which was held virtually, raised $1.4 million for kids and families. While that is certainly a sizable amount of money, it is much lower than the amount the University of Iowa Dance Marathon has raised annually in recent years. The UIDM raised $2 million in 2015 and $3 million in 2018.
Sarah during The Big Event in February 2021.
The UIDM has pledged $5 million to the 11th floor of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital that was named the University of Iowa Dance Marathon Pediatric Cancer Center. (The 11th floor is the one that gets “the wave” during University of Iowa home football games.) This student-run organization also has pledged $2 million to establish the University of Iowa Dance Marathon Chair in Pediatric Oncology, Clinical and translational Research. In addition, UIDM gives $5,000 to each family who loses a child to cancer to help cover funeral expenses.
“The more I learned about Dance Marathon, the more I fell in love with this organization,” says Sarah, who raised more than $500 as a dancer during her first event in 2020. She served on the Public Relations Committee for the 2021 year and raised more than $4,000. Sarah was selected to serve as Director of Public Relations for the 2022 Big Event. Her goal is to raise more than $4,000 again this year.
Today Sarah is sharing with us her favorite recipe for Monster Energy Balls, which provide quick energy or help her refuel after a workout. #DYK chocolate milk is another great way to refuel after a workout? Chocolate milk has twice the carbohydrates and protein content as white milk, water and other sports drinks? Plus, high water content of chocolate milk helps prevent dehydration. Go ahead and raise a glass in salute of America’s dairy producers during June Dairy Month!
This recipe also sounds perfect for busy farm families, as well as for kids who need some extra protein before summer activities.
Spring Calves, Summer Camping & Milestone Celebrations
Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. Now that their four daughters have finished school for the academic year, Tyler and Michelle Sandven are kicking into high gear to make time for their favorite activities including grilling, camping and riding motorcycles.
Oldest daughters, Sydnie and Rylie, are members of 4-H and FFA. They enjoy showing cattle and riding horses. In addition, they have summer jobs at the fitness center. Syndie is a 2021 graduate of Humboldt High School. She plans to attend Iowa Central Community College to become a medical assistant. Rylie will be a junior in high school. Twins Kylan and Kynlie will turn 10 years old at the end of this month.
The Sandven Family
“It takes a lot of energy to keep up with four active girls! I lost 30 pounds and gained my energy and health back with the Yoli® program. After my success with the all-natural system, I became a health coach in 2018,” says Michelle, who is a licensed cosmetologist and works two days a week at the American Barbershop in Humboldt.
The Sandvens also farm.
“We feel fortunate to raise our family where they’re sure to develop a good work ethic,” says Tyler. “Our girls really enjoy the animals and helping with chores. When they were younger, they enjoyed riding in the cab of the tractor while the cattle are being fed. They also like helping bottle feed the calves.”
Having a family who shares his love of agriculture makes this Iowa farmer proud.
“Farming is all I ever wanted to do,” says Tyler, who was raised on a diversified farm in Humboldt County. After graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in Ag Business, he was eager to return to the family’s farming operation.
Together with his dad and his brother, Tyler raises cow-calf pairs and has a feeder-to-finish cattle operation. The family also raises horses, which his father especially enjoys riding. Tyler, on the other hand, prefers to ride something with a motor. “Hanging loose in Hawaii” by riding a Harley across Maui during a Latham Seeds’ dealer trip is one of Tyler and Michelle’s favorite memories.
“I like working with a family-owned seed business whose owners share a lot of our same values,” says Tyler, who has been a Latham® dealer since 2007. He appreciates having a solid lineup to sell of corn, soybeans and alfalfa. He encourages farmers to plant a minimum of three different Latham brand corn or soybean products with a mixture of offensive and defensive traits. He also recommends mixing maturities to further reduce risk.
Tyler and Michelle also look forward to attending Latham Dealer meetings throughout the summer and into the fall. Another annual event they look forward to is Latham’s tailgate at an Iowa State football game. The Sandvens enjoy cheering on the Cyclones every chance they get!
In celebration of summer growing season and May Beef Month, today the Sandven family is sharing with us one of their favorite recipes for garlic steak bites. This recipe can be served as an appetizer or paired with side dishes to become a meal.
Spring Calves, Summer Camping & Milestone Celebrations
Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. Now that their four daughters have finished school for the academic year, Tyler and Michelle Sandven are kicking into high gear to make time for their favorite activities including grilling, camping and riding motorcycles.
Oldest daughters, Sydnie and Rylie, are members of 4-H and FFA. They enjoy showing cattle and riding horses. In addition, they have summer jobs at the fitness center. Syndie is a 2021 graduate of Humboldt High School. She plans to attend Iowa Central Community College to become a medical assistant. Rylie will be a junior in high school. Twins Kylan and Kynlie will turn 10 years old at the end of this month.
The Sandven Family
“It takes a lot of energy to keep up with four active girls! I lost 30 pounds and gained my energy and health back with the Yoli® program. After my success with the all-natural system, I became a health coach in 2018,” says Michelle, who is a licensed cosmetologist and works two days a week at the American Barbershop in Humboldt.
The Sandvens also farm.
“We feel fortunate to raise our family where they’re sure to develop a good work ethic,” says Tyler. “Our girls really enjoy the animals and helping with chores. When they were younger, they enjoyed riding in the cab of the tractor while the cattle are being fed. They also like helping bottle feed the calves.”
Having a family who shares his love of agriculture makes this Iowa farmer proud.
“Farming is all I ever wanted to do,” says Tyler, who was raised on a diversified farm in Humboldt County. After graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in Ag Business, he was eager to return to the family’s farming operation.
Together with his dad and his brother, Tyler raises cow-calf pairs and has a feeder-to-finish cattle operation. The family also raises horses, which his father especially enjoys riding. Tyler, on the other hand, prefers to ride something with a motor. “Hanging loose in Hawaii” by riding a Harley across Maui during a Latham Seeds’ dealer trip is one of Tyler and Michelle’s favorite memories.
“I like working with a family-owned seed business whose owners share a lot of our same values,” says Tyler, who has been a Latham® dealer since 2007. He appreciates having a solid lineup to sell of corn, soybeans and alfalfa. He encourages farmers to plant a minimum of three different Latham brand corn or soybean products with a mixture of offensive and defensive traits. He also recommends mixing maturities to further reduce risk.
Tyler and Michelle also look forward to attending Latham Dealer meetings throughout the summer and into the fall. Another annual event they look forward to is Latham’s tailgate at an Iowa State football game. The Sandvens enjoy cheering on the Cyclones every chance they get!
In celebration of summer growing season and May Beef Month, today the Sandven family is sharing with us one of their favorite recipes for garlic steak bites. This recipe can be served as an appetizer or paired with side dishes to become a meal.
Jon Suntken and Tami Pralle’s shared passion for 4-H brought them together in 1979 when they were selected to serve on the Franklin County 4-H Council. They have made their home on the Suntken’s Iowa Century Farm for 36 years.
“All of our children began showing bucket calves at the Franklin County Fair when they turned five, and someone from our family showed bucket calves for 17 consecutive years,” says Tami. “This helped our kids develop a passion for showing and judging livestock.”
The Suntken family.
The 2021 Franklin County Fair will mark the first time in 27 years that the Suntken family will not be showing cattle at the fair. However, their years showing cattle provided them with life-long memories and taught them important life lessons.
“4-H has taught our children lessons and provided them with many experiences that are important in life: work ethic, responsibility, how to start and finish projects, character development, meeting new people, public speaking, helping others and developing new friendships.”
The Suntken’s oldest daughter, Katelyn, served as both Franklin County beef princess in 2007 and beef queen in 2008. She and her husband, Ryan Borcherding, live in Reading, Pennsylvania, with their four-year-old daughter. Katelyn is a stay-at-home mom, and Ryan works for Deere & Company as a regional manager. The Suntken’s oldest son, Kellen, interned with Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds in the early years of our precision ag program. Kellen graduated from Iowa State University. He serves as Plant Operations Lead for Syngenta Seeds in Lone Tree, Iowa. He also remains active in the family’s farming operation. Their son Kendrick played linebacker for the University of Northern Iowa and now farms with his dad. Kenrick also is a chemical rep for Innvictis Crop Care and Biodyne USA. Kirsten just finished her freshman year at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in Ankeny where she is majoring in Ag Business. This summer is serving as a precision ag intern with Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds.
“Serving as Franklin County Beef Queen was an honor. I loved representing an industry that I am passionate about,” says Kirsten Suntken. “One highlight as Beef Queen was being part of a new cattle show in August called the North Iowa Cattle Battle. Although my time as queen wasn’t what I was expecting due to Covid-19, I learned a lot through these times. I also learned to never take anything for granted.”“It was an honor to be selected for the Governor’s Charity Steer Show and to raise money for a good cause,” says Kendrick Suntken. “It was also rewarding to help clean up the Ronald McDonald House in Des Moines.”Kellen and Kendrick Suntken had the honor of being part of the team that placed second in the 2011 Iowa State Fair 4-H livestock judging competition. From left to right are former Franklin County 4-H members: Kellen Suntken, Joe DeVries, Kendrick Suntken, and Drew Abbas. Kendrick also was the first place individual in that competition. During his career, he also placed third overall in the state FFA competition and earned High Individual at the ISU Spring Extravaganza. Kellen placed second in the individual competition for 4-H in 2011. He also was a member of the Iowa State University Livestock judging team when he was in college.
The Sunkten’s diversified farming operation includes corn and soybeans plus a cow-calf herd and a custom hog finishing operation. Jon started farming full-time in 1979 and also worked 12 winters at Latham Seeds. He has been a contract Latham® soybean grower for 42 years. Tami works full time as a program technician at the Wright County Farm Service Agency.
Today Tami is sharing a recipe for grape salad with an Irish twist. Kirsten is promoting Iowa beef during Beef Month by sharing with us one of her favorite recipes for pot roast in a crock pot.
Grape Salad with an Irish Twist
Ingredients
8-ounces of Philadelphia® cream cheese (softened)
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup Bailey’s Irish Cream
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 to 3 pounds of large, red, seedless grapes
Directions
Wash grapes.
Cream cheese and sugars, then add other ingredients and mix all together.
We’ve Always Believed in the Future of Agriculture
National FFA Week is time for us to remember our roots. The Lathams have grown up in FFA, and this time every year we think about the experiences that helped shape our hope in agriculture.
Front Right: Shannon Latham
Did you know that E.M. Tiffany had the foresight to write the FFA Creed in 1928? That was a long time ago! And yet, that Creed continues to apply to Future Farmers of America today:
“I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds – achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.
I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.”
Everyone has experienced discouragement at some point, and perhaps none so much as Iowa farmers over the years. We can’t forget the derecho in August 2020, which was one of the most costly thunderstorm disasters in U.S. history.
Before that, Iowa farmers were dealt with the Farm Crisis. The Federal Reserve’s tight money policies were intended to bring down high interest rates but caused farmland values to drop 60% in some parts of the Midwest from 1981 to 1985.
Every generation has had to face massive changes. But history gives us invaluable perspective. This is where we remember the last paragraph of FFA’s Creed:
“I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.”
We are blessed to be part of a family-owned seed company that is headquartered in America’s heartland. We’re honored to work with a network of other ag advocates across the Upper Midwest who share our passion. And we’re grateful for those who are committed to being a positive influence in their communities.
Let’s celebrate everyone who carries on the tradition of wearing the blue jacket.
The mac and cheese recipe below comes from the Stenjem family of Wisconsin! This recipe is often requested for FFA banquets and FFA members’ graduations. Enjoy!
Education and the Environment are Renner’s Passion Projects
The early morning glow on a beautiful fall day.
As a new year begins, so does a new session of the Iowa Legislature. It’s important for those who understand farming practices and how proposed bills would impact their lives and the health of states like Iowa where agriculture is the backbone of our economy.
Helping people understand how critically important farmers and farming are to their daily lives is one reason Brent Renner followed his dad’s example by becoming involved in farming organizations.
“My father was very involved in Farm Bureau when I was growing up,” says Renner, a fourth-generation Iowa farmer from Klemme. “I could see Dad benefited from his involvement while making sure our government and elected officials heard a unified voice from farmers about the things that matter to us most. We have several great commodity organizations that do a great service to our farming community, and I believe it’s important to stay involved in them.”
“This was spring of 2019 with my first experience strip tilling in tall standing ryegrass. It was nerve-racking but it turned out very well,” Renner says.
Renner’s roots run deep in agriculture. His great grandfather and grandfather moved to North Iowa from southern Nebraska during the Dust Bowl era. They railed their cattle to south of Clear Lake in search of crops to feed their stock. After working as hired men for other established farmers in the area, they were able to sustain their own operations.
Like many farmers who experienced the Dust Bowl, the Renner family developed a great appreciation for how important soil is to sustaining farms and livelihoods. They have implemented strip till and no till into their operation. They also have implemented filter strips, waterways and wetlands where they can have the greatest environmental impact.
“As stewards of the land, it is our responsibility to leave our environment better than we found it,” says Renner. “I believe we are on the cusp of learning so many new things about soil health and how it relates to farming practices and water quality. It’s an exciting time to be in agriculture.”
Renners have implemented buffer strips and stream bank management to stop erosion on their farms.
Because farmland is often handed down from one generation to the next, farmers want to protect their legacies by caring for the environment.
“I’m been extremely proud of the work and research the Iowa Soybean Association has done on behalf of Iowa’s soybean farmers regarding the environment and water quality,” says Renner. “Bioreactors are just one example of many that we have provided research and funding for. Recently, we developed an ‘outcomes fund’ that provides farmers with the resources necessary to partner with municipalities and industry leaders and make positive changes in our water quality.”
“I really enjoy overcoming some of the challenges that this occupation can throw at you,” adds Renner. “It’s fulfilling to raise a good crop and still protect the environment. Mother Nature can throw a lot of curveballs at you any given season.”
He has always enjoyed farming, but Renner wasn’t certain he wanted to farm full-time until he came home from college in 1999. He and Nikki were married in 2000. They got involved with the state Young Farmer Committee through the Iowa Farm Bureau, and Brent chaired that committee the last year they served for District 2. He then worked through the leadership positions at the county level and served for three years as president for Hancock County Farm Bureau.
After fulfilling his term on the county Farm Bureau board, Brent became involved with the Iowa Soybean Association. He started by serving on the District Advisory Council before he ran for the board. He won an at-large position and was re-elected in 2019. He is serving in his second year of his second term. Active on several ISA committees during the past five years, Brent’s passion has is education and environment. He also serves on the North Iowa Ag in the Classroom board.
Now that their family is growing, time together is treasured even more. Brent and Nikki’s oldest son, Caleb, is a freshman at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) where he looks forward to running track this spring with the Trojans. Their son Braden is a junior at Garner Hayfield Ventura High School where he plays basketball and golfs. Their youngest, Madison, is an eighth grader in the same district. She loves dance and music. She also serves as manager of several sports teams.
The Renner family enjoys camping and fishing when they have a chance. Their favorite getaway is Decorah in Northeast Iowa where there are lots of trout streams. Not only does spring bring trout fishing season, it also is asparagus season. The Renner family freezes asparagus to enjoy year-round and especially during holidays. Today they are sharing with us one of their favorite recipes for roasted asparagus.
“Gotta love the spunk she has!” says Patty of the time her 91-year-old mother spent in the field during 2020 beet harvest. “I’m so glad she got to enjoy it with her David!”
They had never planted Latham® Hi‑Tech Seeds but that didn’t prevent Mike and Patty Bergquist of Foxhome, Minnesota, from become a seed dealer when asked.
“We were looking for a way to bring our son, David, home and this ‘solution’ seemed to present itself,” said Mike as he recalled that particular day in 2015. “You might say opportunity knocked when Latham’s regional sales manager came to our door and talked with us about Latham Seeds.”
They weren’t able to get the soybean brand they were accustomed to planting, so the Bergquists decided to try Latham Hi‑Tech Soybeans. They also put Latham brand corn to the test, and it topped their on-farm yield test. They were sold on the Latham’s on-farm performance!
No one else in their area had a Latham Seeds dealership, but national companies had several dealers in the area. Mike liked the idea of working with a family-owned company that shares his values of commitment to family and community.
Mike Berquist
Mike served for three years in the U.S. Navy. He returned home to farm with his step-grandfather, Harold. To supplement his income, Mike started working campaigns in 1975 at the local sugar beet processing plant. He worked at the plant whenever Harold didn’t need him in the field.
Mike and his wife, Patty, were married in 1977. Harold offered to let the newlyweds move a trailer house onto the farm. They appreciated living on the farm. Four years later their first child was born, and Mike had to choose between accepting a promotion at the beet plant or farming full time with Harold. He chose farming.
Harold passed away in 1985. The 1980s Farm Crisis made it challenging for a young couple to support a growing family, so in 1988, this father of five went back to working campaigns at the beet plant. Mike accepted a full-time position there in 1989. He worked his way to plant supervisor and retired from Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative on June 3, 2019.
Because Mike only got weekends off once every four years, it helped to have David involved with the farming operation. David, the Bergquist’s youngest child and only son, completed the John Deere program at North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton. He worked full-time for four years at RDO Equipment as a John Deere technician while also helping his father farm. David was able to double his farming operation and started farming full-time in 2018. David married his high school sweetheart, Chloe. They’re the proud parents of two sons, Briar and Bowen. Chloe also works as a dental hygienist.
Mike with salmon
The Berquist’s oldest daughter, Kari, and her husband, Tim Marquardt, live nearby in Rothsay with their three children: Hunter, 14; Hadley, 12; and Hudson, 9. Kari is a stay-at-home mom, and Tim works for Wilkens County. Mike and Patty’s second oldest, Heidi, works for Red River Human Services in Breckinridge where she lives with her three fur babies.
Third in birth order is Katie. She is a daycare provider for her brother’s children. Her husband, Derrick, is an engineer for Willrich. They have three sons: Dawson, 9; Carsten, 6; and Grayson, 4 months.
Their youngest daughter, Holly, was a nanny until her twins arrived. Her husband, Travis, is a John Deere technician in Wheaton and also farms. They are the parents of five boys: Michael, 10; Bennett, 6; Henry, 2; and 5-month old twins, Kamden and Cooper.
This photo was taken Sept. 29, 2020 From left to right: Bowen, 6 months; Grayson, 2 months; and 4-month old twins, Cooper and Kamden
“I love having our grandkids come to the farm,” says Patty, a proud grandmother of 12 grandsons and 1 granddaughter. “We hang out in the shop, go for Ranger rides, rock babies and read books. It’s so much fun to hear the laughter and to see smiles on the kids’ faces. We let them stay as often as they want now. We know that in a blink of an eye they will be too old. We hope they have good memories of staying with us.”
The older grandkids are active in sports, so the Berquists enjoy attending their basketball, football and baseball games. In summer months, the Bergquist family enjoys camping together.
“There is a lot of love when we all get together, and that’s the way we like it!” says Patty. “We’re making memories and more memories!”
Today Patty is sharing with us one of her family’s favorite recipes for Buttermilk Blueberry Breakfast Casserole.
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