Latham Farms

Alexander, Iowa

Meet the Lathams

As a contrast in this era of corporate buyouts and mergers, the Latham company remains owned by the same Latham family for its entire 52 years.  Today, the company is owned by Willard Latham’s sons: Bill, Don, and Tom Latham.

  Bill Latham, President

With a degree in agronomy from Iowa State University, Bill returned to the family business in 1966 after serving as a sales agronomist for a large company.   Bill has general management responsibilities and is director  of variety development research for the company.

Bill is the immediate past president of the American Seed Trade Association. He has also served his industry as president of the Iowa Seed Trade Association, the advisory committee of the National Soybean Research Laboratory, and the board of the Independent Professional Seedsman’s Association. He has served his local community, school, and church in many different capacities.

Bill and his wife Linda have two grown sons, one of whom is a district sales manager for the company.

     Don Latham, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer 

Don Latham, who also has an Iowa State University degree in agronomy, returned to the business in 1973.  He manages the company’s production, conditioning, and 1400 acre (560 Ha) farming operation. 

Active in numerous national professional organizations, he is the immediate past chairman of the national United Soybean Board and serves on the executive committee of the U.S. Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching.  He has held positions with the American Soybean Development Foundation and the U.S. Plant Variety Protection Board. At the state level, Don is president of the Iowa State University Research Foundation and has served as Chairman of the Iowa Soybean Promotion Board and president of the Iowa Seed Association. He also has served his local community and church in various capacities.

Don and his wife Marilyn have three grown children.

Tom Latham, Stockholder

Tom Latham joined the company in 1976 as its Director of Marketing after serving in the insurance and banking industries. Under his leadership, the Latham dealer organization grew to include major portions of six states He has served his industry and community in many different ways.

Since 1994, Tom is taking a leave of absence to serve as United States Congressman from the Fifth District of Iowa. He and his wife Kathy live in Iowa, but now spend much time in Washington, D.C. They also have three grown children.

·        Professional Staff

The Latham staff, in addition to family members, includes two full time agronomists. a research technician, and other long time professionals.

130 180th Street

Alexander, Iowa  50420 USA