Agriculture is built on dedication, resilience and grit — and women play a vital role in shaping its future. On National Women in Ag Day, we’re proud to highlight a few of the hardworking women in Latham Country who are making a difference every day.
Jamee Erger, Steph Paumen and Kerri Mattson work alongside their husbands and families as Latham®Dealers, helping farmers find the right products to maximize success in their fields. These women aren’t just partners in business; they are advocates for agriculture, community leaders and stewards of the land.
From continuing a family farm legacy to putting farmers first and living the four H’s of 4-H, their stories showcase the dedication and perseverance of women in agriculture.
Some people find their perfect job by searching far and wide. For Quentin Boelman, it was right in front of him all along.
For years, Quentin drove past Latham Seeds’ office on his way to work, thinking, “I should get a job there.” The company’s strong reputation, deep roots in agriculture, and family-oriented culture always stood out to him. Finally, in February 2015, he made the leap — and he hasn’t looked back since!
As Logistics Manager, Quentin is the guy who makes things happen. From hiring truck drivers and organizing seed loads to clearing snow and handling last-minute needs, he takes pride in keeping operations running smoothly.
“When something needs to get done, I’m your man,” Quentin says.And trust us, he delivers on that promise every day.
Born and raised in Alexander, Iowa, Quentin has always been drawn to farming. He started his own mowing business at age 10, worked for local farmers as a teenager, and later spent six years at Dows Farmers Coopdelivering seed and handling operations. His FFA experience gave him valuable skills, including welding and strengthened his love for agriculture.
Quentin and his wife, Kendra,married in 2015 and have three children: Ian, Noah and Kenzley. When he’s not working, Quentin enjoys fishing, hunting, camping and spending time outdoors with his family.
Quentin doesn’t just step up at work — he steps up for his community, too. He joined the local fire department at 16and has now served for 18 years, including six years as Fire Chief. His favorite part? Helping others in times of need.
Join us in celebrating Quentin! His dedication, work ethic and passion make him an invaluable part of the Latham Seeds family!
When the Boelman family fires up the smoker, one side dish always makes an appearance: cheesy potatoes! This rich, melty and comforting classic is a must-have side.
Mix hash browns, sour cream, mushroom soup and 1 package of cheese together in bowl.Spread into 9×13 pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.Cover with aluminum foil.Bake at 350 for 30 mins.Remove from oven and add remaining bag of cheese.Return to oven, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
At just 23 years old, Caleb Renner is already making waves in the agricultural world. As a fifth-generation farmer from North Central Iowa, Caleb is not only helping his father and grandfather raise corn and soybeans, but he’s also revolutionizing grain bin safety with his innovative new product, AgriNet.
Rooted in Agriculture
Growing up east of Klemme, Iowa, agriculture was a way of life for Caleb.
He was an active member of both FFA and 4-H in high school, and his involvement in local organizations like the Farm Bureau Board and Ag Ventures in Mason City has kept him engaged in the broader ag community.
Today, he’s balancing farming with completing his associate degree at North Iowa Area Community College, with plans to pursue a four-year degree in an agriculture-related field. Though he’s undecided on a major, his passion for innovation and problem-solving in farming is undeniable.
Finding a Home with Latham Seeds
Caleb’s journey with Latham Seeds began with the encouragement of a mentor, his neighbor (and Latham RSM) Kody Trample. After seeing firsthand how Latham operates, he knew he had found the right fit.
“Latham is, at its core, a Main Street company, not a Wall Street company,” Caleb says. “They are invested in the communities they exist in and work within, and that matters to farmers.”
He became a Latham Dealer because he believes in the company’s farmer-first approach and enjoys working with local growers to help them maximize their yield potential. Building relationships with fellow farmers isn’t just a job to Caleb; it’s something he genuinely loves.
Introducing AgriNet: A Safer Future for Farmers
Caleb’s passion for agriculture includes making farming safer. One of the biggest dangers farmers face is entering grain bins to clear out grain, a process that has led to too many tragic accidents. Caleb saw a need for a better solution, which led to the creation of AgriNet.
“The idea came to me two years ago — what if we could use nets and winches to clean out grain bins instead of putting people inside them?” Caleb explains.
Since then, AgriNet has been in development and will undergo testing this summer with local farmers. The goal is to have the product fully launched by the spring of 2026. “My hope is that one day, farmers will never have to enter the grain bin,” he says.
Caleb’s ingenuity has not gone unnoticed. He’s already been recognized for his innovation, receiving awards and accolades for AgriNet’s potential to improve farm safety.
Life Beyond the Farm
When he’s not farming, innovating or studying, Caleb finds time for his other passions. He plays the drums in a small cover band with his grandfather and brother, volunteers at Youth for Christ, and enjoys spending time with his fiancée watching movies or hitting the golf course.
A Future Built on Innovation and Community
As Caleb looks ahead, he’s excited to continue growing his farm, expanding his business as a Latham dealer and bringing AgriNet to market. More than anything, he’s committed to helping fellow farmers thrive.
“I am thrilled to work with local farmers and build relationships as not only a Latham salesman but also a member of the community,” he says. “I love talking and meeting people, and any job that encourages that, I will excel in!”
And, if you ever find yourself at a cookout with Caleb’s family, be sure to ask for a serving of their famous steak tacos. This is a “three-time, back-to-back, family cook-off champion recipe,” Caleb says proudly. Just don’t expect him to share the entire secret recipe!
Farming isn’t just a job for Joe DeVries — it’s a passion that took root on his family’s century farm just west of Chapin, Iowa. That’s where Joe learned early on the value of hard work, dedication and a love for the land. From raising his own ducks, turkeys and chickens as a young child to showing cattle at fairs across Midwest, Joe’s relationship with agriculture has always been a driving force in his life.
Active in 4-H and FFA, Joe served as both Chapter Treasurer and President while competing in numerous state-level contests. His love for cattle began at just five or six years old, when he started taking bucket calves to the fair, and continues today. Joe and his father Mark farm together, raising corn, soybeans, alfalfa and managing a beef cow/calf herd and feedlot.
While farming is his full-time focus, Joe is also committed to advocating for Iowa’s cattle industry. He works as the Northwest Iowa Member Services Advisor for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, covering 22 counties. His dedication to the industry extends beyond work, as he recently completed a six-year term on the Franklin County Cattlemen Board and continues to serve on the Franklin County Extension Council.
Joe’s connection to Latham Seeds started long before he became a dealer. Farming just 10 miles away from Latham’s headquarters, he was aware of the company’s strong reputation. When approached in 2023 about joining the team, he was eager to give Latham a try.
“The products performed well for us in our first year with Latham,” Joe says. “I appreciate how they are a local company, but more importantly, a family-owned company.”
Though farming keeps Joe busy, he finds time to support his community and stay involved in cattle shows. His mother, Carma DeVries — who recently joined Latham Seeds as our new office manager — shares his passion for helping others, even assisting family friends with beef projects to provide opportunities for young exhibitors.
When Joe isn’t working in the fields or advocating for agriculture, he enjoys spending time with his “nephew” Waylan, who is the young son of a close friend. Watching Waylan develop his own love for farm life reminds Joe of his own childhood and fuels his passion for preserving the agricultural way of life for future generations.
“I enjoy having him ride with me in the tractor or come with me to check cows,” Joe says. “I enjoying seeing how he loves the farm life.
As part of his dealer spotlight, Joe is sharing a family favorite recipe for Spaghetti Pie. Enjoy this hearty, comforting dish that’s perfect for busy farm families.
Success in life requires a backbone, not a wishbone. Just ask Shannon Latham, who was diagnosed with scoliosis (an extreme curvature of the spine) when she was in junior high.
“My mom will tell you one of the hardest days of her life was watching me struggle to put on my shoes after I was fitted into my back brace,” said Shannon, who grew up in Greene, Iowa. “The prosthetist said I needed to learn to do things for myself. My parents never let me believe I was a victim, and for that, I will be forever grateful.”
This instilled a spirit of strength in Shannon. When she enrolled in Iowa State’s College of Agriculture in 1989, the ratio of males to females was 5 to 1.
“I believe one of the main reasons I’ve succeeded in agriculture is because I haven’t made an issue out of my gender,” Shannon said. “I treat all people with respect. I study hard and work harder.”
That kind of backbone defines the American spirit, which Shannon embraces through:
1. A strong work ethic. Shannon grew the size and quality of her purebred, registered Suffolk flock as part of a 10-year 4-H Sheep Project. She tracked expenses and revenue. She also came up with a farm name and promoted it. This marketing mindset inspired her to complete an MBA from the University of Iowa. It also influences her role with Latham Hi-Tech Seeds.
2. Small-business savvy. Shannon’s parents were small-business owners who taught her the value of a dollar. At age 10, she opened a checking account solely for buying and selling sheep. “I wasn’t allowed to spend what I didn’t have,” says Shannon, who applied her business skills to other entrepreneurial endeavors.
3. Assertiveness. Shannon landed her first full-time as director of legislative affairs. As a 21-year-old lobbyist, Shannon needed to talk to a state senator about an unintended consequence of a bill he had sponsored.
“I offered an amendment to solve the problem,” she recalled. “He got in my face and said, ‘You tell your boss not to send a little girl to do a man’s job.‘” I looked at him and calmly responded, ‘In all due respect, my boss sent me to do this job because he knows I’m competent and capable.‘”
4. Pursue Your Passion. While attending the 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus trip, Shannon became interested in someday holding public office. She was elected in 2020 to the Iowa House of Representatives. As a freshman, she served as vice chair of the Appropriations Committee. Then, in 2022, she served as chair of the House Local Government Committee. She was re-elected in November 2024 to her third term and is currently awaiting her committee assignments.
Shannon’s leadership has earned her many awards, including the Iowa Soybean Association’s Advocate for Agriculture, inclusion in the 2016 FarmHer Hall of Fame, and ISU’s Greenlee 2020 Professional Achievement Award. Of all the titles she’s held, however, “mom” is her favorite. Ian graduated in May 2024 from Iowa State University. He recently started a job as Government Relations Manager for Iowa Corn. Ellie recently started a job at the new Bin Town Daycare Center in Sheffield.
5. Giving back. Shannon is active in Zion St. John Lutheran Church and has served on the church council. She was a Girl Scout leader for 12 years and served as the inaugural chair of the Communications Committee for the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). She is a former member of the Iowa 4-H and Franklin County 4-H Foundations.
When she isn’t serving her state or her community, Shannon enjoys traveling. She also is an avid reader and enjoys spending time in the kitchen.
Shannon’s Pork Roast with Raspberry Sauce is a fix-it-and-forget type of meal that looks impressive, especially when company is coming.
Like many boys who grow up on a farm, Landon Aldinger was fascinated with equipment. Years later he would combine his fascination with equipment and farming with skills in technology and engineering to help others get more results using fewer inputs.
Watching big machines on the family farm led to Landon getting a bachelor’s degree in Ag Engineering from Iowa State University. He then worked nearly seven years as a Senior Design Engineer for the Toro Company in Minneapolis before his story finally came full circle.
“I really enjoyed my time and my career in the cities,” Landon says. “But when I turned 30, my priorities started to shift. I was ready to head home and become more involved in the farming operation.”
Landon had been assisting his father, Mike Aldinger, since 2008 with their seed, chemical and consulting business. Mike started the business with his father (Landon’s grandfather), Merle. After Merle retired, the business became Precision Farm Management, using the latest products to implement more precision ag services like variable rate seeding, fertilizer and nitrogen.
Besides managing the farming business, Landon runs Aldinger Engineering LLC consulting. He also spends time “carpet farming” and helping his oldest son, Grady, fix his equipment in their living room. Landon sees signs of a second-generation engineer/farmer in his son.
“Grady continues to love all things agriculture and equipment,” Landon says proudly. “It is not uncommon for him to head out to the field for a few hours to ride along and ‘help’ anyway he can. I love watching his excitement.” Landon and his wife, Kinsey, also have a younger son named McCoy, who will soon compete with his older brother for the buddy seat.
In addition to raising kids and crops, the Aldingers also raise cattle and pork. Warm and hearty soups like this one help keep their crew growing.
Read more about Jamee, Steph and Kerri here:
