For Jake Edmundson, agriculture isn’t just a career. It’s in his DNA. Growing up on a farm near Keswick, Iowa, Jake was running equipment by the time he was six years old. After college and years of experience in ag retail, Jake joined forces with Ben Steele to start Montezuma Crop Service (MCS) in 2018. What began as a custom spraying business has quickly grown into a full-service ag retail operation with six full-time employees, seven part-time employees, and a reputation for customer-first service.
“Having experience in everything ag retail — from selling inputs to applying them — gave me the confidence to go out on my own,” Jake recalls. “We’ve grown a lot since 2018, and I really enjoy selling Latham corn and soybeans. It’s easy to sell a brand that prides itself on quality and kicks butt in the field!”
Building a Family Business
Jake’s business partners, Ben Steele and Seth Maxwell, along with a talented team that includes agronomy, precision ag, shop and seed specialists, have helped MCS thrive. At home, Jake and his wife, Jamie, are raising three kids — Ella, Emmett and Ensley — all while staying deeply rooted in their community through school activities, local sports, and church.
“I can’t see myself doing anything outside of ag,” Jake says. “We love building relationships, helping customers succeed and being part of a family company like Latham.”
Choosing Latham Seeds
The MCS team first learned about Latham Seeds when a district sales manager visited their office and shared the Latham story. From the start, they were impressed with the family-first mentality and no-pressure sales approach.
“Meeting John and Shannon Latham in Alexander was key,” Jake explains. “The warm welcome, the plant tour, the support — it felt like we mattered from day one. Plus, Latham products consistently perform in the field, running right alongside the biggest names in the industry.”
Supporting Seeds of Hope
One of the things that makes MCS stand out is its commitment to giving back. This year, Jake and his team are once again pledging $1 per unit of Seeds of Hope hybrids sold to support the American Cancer Society. Their donation will directly support Latham’s Final Drive for 75 campaign — a goal to raise $75,000 in honor of the company’s 75th anniversary.
“It’s important for us to be part of something bigger than ourselves,” Jake says. “We’ve all been impacted by cancer in some way, and this is a way we can make a difference.”
A Dealer Who Rocks (Literally)
Jake’s passion for farming and seed sales is matched by his love for music. A lifelong drummer, he’s played in bands since age 13, even winning a “Battle of the Bands” contest that earned him the chance to open for national rock acts. These days, he still plays occasionally with his dad’s old band, and with his kids’ busy sports schedules, he’s happy to keep the beat both on and off the farm.
Whether it’s selling seed, supporting customers, raising a family or giving back through Seeds of Hope, Jake Edmondson and Montezuma Crop Service are proof that independent dealers are at the heart of what makes Latham Seeds special.
Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with Dill Pickle Slaw
Equipment
- 3 bowls
- 1 pan
Ingredients
Chicken + Marinade
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ Tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ Tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large chicken breast about 8 oz.
Dill Pickle Slaw
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 Tablespoon avocado oil mayo
- 1 Tablespoon pickle juice
- 2 stalks green onion chopped
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves
- ½ cup sliced dill pickles
- Salt + pepper to taste
- Coleslaw mix
Spicy Mayo
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoons sriracha sauce or to taste
- 1 teaspoons honey optional
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice optional
- ¼ teaspoon minced garlic optional
Instructions
Chicken + Marinade and Dill Pickle Slaw
- Whisk marinade ingredients in a bowl.
- Slice the chicken breast in half, pound to ½ inch thickness, and toss in marinade.
- In a separate bowl, mix all slaw ingredients until well combined.
- Grill chicken 5-6 minutes per side or until fully cooked.
- Toast the buns and stir together spicy mayo.
- Assemble sandwiches: bottom bun with spicy mayo, grilled chicken, slaw, then top bun.
Spicy Mayo
- Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
- Allow to rest in the refrigerator before serving.