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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Christmas Gifts for the Entire Family

Guest Blog post by Val Plagge of Corn, Bean, Pigs and Kids

One of the items on my Holiday Check List for this week is to complete my Christmas gift lists. This includes not only finalizing my family’s wish list, but also deciding what gifts we will be giving others. I know I always appreciate some extra ideas to help with Christmas gifts so I figured I’d share some ideas from my family.

The Rural Outdoors Dad

Electric Smoker: If you don’t have an electric smoker you need to get this on your list this year! This is the perfect gift for the guy in your life (that you also can use!) You can use your smoker all year long and have a lot of fun experimenting with different types of meats, rubs, marinades, etc. Most sporting good stores have sections dedicated to smokers and outdoor cooking.

Yellow Work Gloves: What guy that works outside doesn’t need some new work gloves? For My Farmer his go-to pair of work gloves are the classic yellow work gloves. These are very affordable and you can buy them in large packages, so you always have a pair available! An added plus for those that wash clothes in your home, they can be easily thrown in the wash with your other chore clothes. These would also make a great stocking stuffer!

Ammunition Box: If you have a hunter or a trap shooter on your list like my husband, then they need an ammo box. Ammo boxes come in a variety of sizes and help your gunman’s (or gunwoman’s) ammunition stay organized, dry and safe. Many boxes are stackable as well so you can sort your ammunition into different boxes for your different firearms.

The Mom Who Likes To Keep Busy

Magazine Subscription: I will be the first to admit that I stay pretty busy – but what Mom doesn’t! I know this upcoming year I’m going to appreciate when I get a magazine in the mail to just sit and relax with. So whether you’re into cooking, home decor or would just like some more ideas of things to do with your kids, there is a magazine for you. This year I’m asking for a subscription to Family Fun. They always have a lot of great ideas!

Kitchen Gadgets and Tools: One thing I have on my wish list every year are at least a couple different new kitchen gadgets and tools. Sometimes they are brand new items I’ve always wanted but have never purchased for myself, while others are replacements for ones that I’ve had since college… I love to cook and bake and this year I’m hoping someone gives me some new silicone baking mats, pot handle grips, a bouncy whisk and a pie bird.

Learn A New Language Program: Maybe for some of you it is too early to start thinking about New Year’s Goals, but for me, I know I’d really like to learn how to speak Spanish. So on my list this year I’m hoping someone will help me with that goal by giving me a Spanish language learning program.

The Imaginative Hands-On 3 Year Old Boy

Walkie Talkies: On our farm we use two-way radios and our son loves using them, so we’re going to give him his own pair this Christmas. What a fun toy for boys and girls to use with their siblings and friends! I remember having some when I was a kid and my sisters and I loved playing with them.

Building Toys: Whether it is Legos, Lincoln Logs or simply blocks of different sizes and shapes, kids love building things. This year while making wish lists we saw some really neat building sets that use bolts and screws, to magnetic colored shapes, to gears. There are so many fun sets available that will help your preschooler use their imagination.

Hot Wheels Car Maker Playset: My son loves anything with wheels and he loves to make crafts. So why not combine those loves and get him a Hot Wheels Car Maker! He gets to pick out the car type, color and decals. This should be a lot of fun to make and play with!

The Happy Go Lucky 18 Month Old Girl

Melissa and Doug Learning Sets: Who doesn’t Love Melissa and Doug products? One thing I’ve looked into for MP this Christmas is some of their learning sets. They have learning sets from food, to occupations. Most of these sets are wooden, and some are available in felt too. There are so many neat ideas they have – the hard part will be choosing exactly which one to buy!

Books and CDs – We personally give our kids one piece of clothing, one toy and one book (3 gifts to represent the 3 gifts Jesus received) for Christmas gifts. Reading is so important to us so we are always looking for new books for our kids. We also like to get our kids a new CD in their stocking every year too. This year our library has gotten us hooked on Laurie Berkner! If you have any preschoolers and under on your shopping list this year you’ll have to check out her catchy songs like “We are the Dinosaurs”, “These are my Glasses” and “I Know a Chicken”.

“Little Helper” tools – My daughter loves to imitate her big brother, her dad and me, so why not get her some “pint-size” tools to help her do so. You can find fun kids sized brooms, vacuums, aprons, tool sets, etc. to help your little one help you – whatever the task may be!

What are some ideas on your wish list? What gifts are you excited to give this year?

During this busy time of the year, we’re either looking for a quick snack to tide us over until we have time for a real meal or we’re looking to treat ourselves to a something a little sweet or salty. Enjoy the best of both with this quick, easy Sweet & Salty Snack Mix.

Team Latham

November 28, 2014

Desserts, Food & Family, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Treasured Memories Lead to Award-Winning Recipes

Cristen Clark

Cristen Clark (aka @FoodSwineIowa on Twitter) describes herself as “a born and raised Iowa farm girl with a passion for baking timeless recipes and sharing my love of the kitchen with others. Memories made in the kitchen are some of the most vivid of mine and certainly the most treasured. I am an avid contest cook and baker but most importantly a stay-at-home mom with two children.”

What I love about this description is how modest she is! During the 2013 Iowa State Fair alone, Cristen won the Nostalgic Comfort Food competition and placed First Overall in the King Arthur Yeast Rolls competition. Cristen also won the Sweepstakes honors for most first place entries; she placed first in 5 individual classes of yeast rolls alone! Her most coveted win during last year’s fair, however, was the Kenmore Honored Harvest Time Recipe Contest.

To celebrate its 100^th anniversary, Kenmore conducted a year-long, nation-wide search for recipes that have stood the test of time. Each contestant was asked to provide a history of the recipe and explain its significance to the cook. Cristen created her own recipe for Sweet Corn Ravioli with Sautéed Summer Vegetables and Roasted Vegetable Coulis.

“Growing up and still working on the family farm, I have many food and harvest time memories. My uncle artfully and meticulously maintains our massive family garden and every vegetable in this dish came from it,” wrote Cristen in her contest entry. “This recipe combines the childhood memories of making pasta with my Grandma Madeline, the appreciation of ingredients that are carefully grown and a desire to use them in a thoughtful, simplistic way.

My favorite times in the kitchen with my grandma were making fresh pasta. I loved to watch her make the dough and help her crank the manual machine. She has the hands of a frontier woman, and the humbleness of a woman who had struggled through The Great Depression. It made me see cooking and baking experiences as so much more fun when shared, that in and above all I will write today is the most important thing.

With memories like these, combined with a unique and creative use of fresh vegetables, it’s no wonder Cristen took home first place honors in Kenmore’s cooking contest! She also took home a Kenmore kitchen makeover and earned trip to New York City where last October she joined some of the nation’s top chefs to serve up her award-winning dish at the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival.

Last November, Cristen began offering cooking and baking classes from her kitchen in rural Runnells for a “homestyle approach to baking school.”

Five home cooks traveled last October to the Big Apple where their grand prize-winning recipes were served during the New York City Wine & Food Festival. Iowa’s own Cristen Clark is pictured at right with TV personality Ty Pennington, former host of Extreme Home Makeover; Jill Gilber, another grand prize winner, is pictured at left.

This mother of an active 5-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old son also helps her father raise row crops, as well as works with family members to raise pork and cattle. To learn more about pig chores and animal antics, follow Cristen’s Food and Swine blog. She said she started blogging in November 2013 primarily for three reasons: (1) to create an online scrapbook of family memories and farm history for her children; (2) to “force” herself to actually write down the recipes she creates; and (3) and of course, to help provide understanding between farmers and consumers.

One of the recipes she recently shared is for Sour Apple Pork Burgers, which was selected as a semifinalist in Sutter Home Family Vineyard’s “Build A Better Burger” recipe contest just two weeks ago. Last Sunday her Merlot Candied Bacon Sliders were grilled for guests at Winefest Des Moines “Iowa Lawn Party” as part of the Winefest & Beef Slider Challenge.

Why Merlot Candied Bacon Sliders? Cristen writes, “The recipe I came up with was not without some creativity, mostly due to the parameters that it could only be 5 total ingredients in addition to the beef and the roll it was on. So in essence, 7 total ingredients. The recipe had to be a great reflection of our lovely state of Iowa and fit into a wine-centered event.”

Cristen shares her winning recipe below. Also check out her blog post about the Caesar Sliders, which I plan to make very soon! What’s your favorite way to enjoy sliders?

Team Latham

June 6, 2014

Food & Family, General, Pork, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Pi Day Recipe Submissions
Team Latham

March 14, 2014

Desserts, Food & Family, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Sweet & Sour: This Recipe Describes Our Spring Weather, Too!

You might say that farming is in Ben Rein’s blood. His great, great grandfather homesteaded around Highland, Minnesota, in 1884. Farming is a tradition that has continued throughout the generations.

“I’ve been farming for as long as I can remember,” says Ben, who grew up on a family farm and started farming full time in 1997 by custom baling hay and renting 160 acres. He shared equipment with his dad and uncle, who were farming together at that time. They ran a 100-sow, farrow-to-finish operation. They also raised 200 registered Angus cows, selling bulls and heifers. In 2005, Ben’s dad went to work for him. Today they grow corn and alfalfa. They also milk 65 cows and finish fat cattle.

Ben said he wanted to try Latham® products because the company is independent and family owned. He’s stayed with the company because the corn really yields. “I’ve been planting Latham for two years and have had a great experience,” he says. “The people I work with are very knowledgeable and accessible. The seed corn I used last year yielded 200 to 230 bushels, and it was the only corn that stood against the wind and rootworm issues we dealt with.”

While Ben tends to the crops and livestock, his wife Amber stays busy on the home front. The couple lives on the farm Ben’s grandfather bought in 1952, and it’s where they’re raising their five children: Steven, 14; Jaime, 12; Nora, 10; Kimberly, 8; and Rachel, 4.

“Living on a family farm allows us to spend time together working and playing,” says Ben. “It’s the perfect place for kids to develop a good work ethic and to discover their interests. Some of our kids are interested in horses while others enjoy working with calves. There are just so many different things our kids can explore.”

The Rein children are also involved in a lot of activities at school. During the summer months, they enjoy camping. During the winter months, Ben enjoys restoring antique John Deere tractors.

Like most farmers, Ben enjoys promoting the products he raises. Today, in honor of May Beef Month, the Reins are sharing one of their family’s favorite recipes for Sweet and Sour Meatballs. Crock-pot recipes like this are perfect for the spring planting season, so give it a try and let us know what you think!

Team Latham

May 10, 2013

Beef, Food & Family, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Hagie Shares Likenesses with Latham: 65th Anniverary, Corn Hybrids & Favorite Recipe

Front Row (Left to Right): Christy Johnson-Lynch, ISU Head Volleyball Coach; Brandon Hagie and Kevin Jackson, ISU Head Wrestling Coach Second Row (Left to Right): Barb Hagie (Wife of John Hagie); Taylor Hagie; Alan Hagie and Lisa Hagie Third Row (Left to Right): Steve Dunker; Bill Fennelly, ISU Head Women’s Basketball Coach; Paul Rhoads, ISU Head Football Coach; Julie (Hagie) Dunker; John Hagie; Fred Hoiberg, ISU Head Men’s Basketball Coach; Jamie Pollard, ISU Director of Athletics; John Walters, Voice of the Cyclones and CY.

Guest Blog by Hagie family of Clarion

From one family-owned agribusiness to another, Hagie Manufacturing. congratulates Latham Seeds on 65 years of success! We look forward to celebrating with Latham supporters at the Country Fair and Fourth Annual Latham Freedom of Independence Ride, taking place in Alexander, Iowa, this Saturday, August 25!

Hagie Manufacturing. is both proud and humbled by the fact that today, we continue 65 years of innovation and service to the agriculture industry. As a family owned, rural Iowa agribusinesses, Hagie Mfg. has many likenesses with Latham Seeds. Perhaps one of the most interesting commonalities ties back to Hagie’s history in the seed business. Ray Hagie never intended to build the world’s first self-propelled sprayer, as his intentions were to grow hybrid seed corn.

The Hagie story began in 1933, when Ray Hagie graduated from Iowa State College and returned to his family farm, armed with a degree in animal husbandry and an entrepreneurial mindset. One of Ray’s first decisions on the farm post-college was to dedicate 1.5 acres of the farm to experiments with hybrid seed corn. Three years later, a drought hit. The hybrids withstood the challenge, and so did Ray, as the hybrid operation grew exponentially. In 1944, Hagie’s Hybrids opened a seed corn plant in Clarion, Iowa.

Ray was born an innovator, and his wheels continued to turn as his hybrid operation grew. His desire to further improve his own operation and that of his neighboring farmers resulted in a vision. In 1946, to help reduce the painstaking time associated with detasseling, Ray developed a self-propelled “personnel mover.” Ray’s innovation continued as the release of 2-4Dow, known today as 2-4D, hit the market and he saw an opportunity for producers to increase application efficiencies by spraying with a self-propelled chassis. In 1947, Ray invented the world’s first self-propelled sprayer. The originality and efficiency of the product created high demand, and in 1948, Hagie Manufacturing was born.

Three generations, millions of acres and over 65 years later, Hagie Mfg. provides the most innovative crop protection solutions in the industry and a superior customer experience, while building on the same family owned traditions and values. John Hagie, son of founder, Ray Hagie, served as the company President from 1981-2010. John’s committed to the growth of Hagie Mfg. has resulted in many innovations and successes. With great passion to grow the cattle side of the family farm operation, John’s dedication has resulted in Cyclone Trace today being a nationally recognized breeder of purebred Shorthorn cattle. In 2010, Alan Hagie, grandson of founder, Ray Hagie, took over as the third generation President of Hagie Mfg., who is honored to also raise corn and soybeans on the same land that his grandfather and father once managed – Hagie Farms. “We are able to understand our customers’ needs because we are in the same business,” according to Alan Hagie.

As a rural Iowa agribusiness, Ray grew Hagie Manufacturing around a core commitment to his community, his employees, and his industry. Today, Hagie Mfg. continues to have an incredible impact on our community, with over 350 Hagie employees, families, and vendors, along with thousands of community members and customers who rely on our continued support. We strive to be as innovative with our people as we are with our products by offering employees an invigorating environment that encourages innovation and instills a true sense of purpose. We are more than co-workers, we are family. Clarion, Iowa has been our home for over 65 years. We never lose sight of the fact that we are not members of a city, but of a community deserving dedicated resources, support and appreciation. According to Alan Hagie, “Solid, continuous growth is a non-negotiable aspect of our future so that we can continue to provide opportunities and support to our community.”

“It is a privilege leading a company that my grandfather envisioned 65 years ago. Those philosophies that were present at our founding are still present today – whether we’re celebrating our individual and team successes, or facing challenges, we practice humility, listen with respect, have the courage to admit we don’t know everything, and the knowledge that accepting such is the only way we will improve and grow. Our intent has never to be the biggest. It has always been to be the best. Each day represents just one of the many chapters in the Hagie Manufacturing story; with eager anticipation, we turn the page – and together – continue the story,” says Alan Hagie.

It is a privilege to work with Latham Seeds, as a family owned agribusiness that represents strong core values and is committed to sustaining and growing agricultural in rural Iowa. Congratulations to Latham Seeds for 65 stellar years in agriculture. Here’s to your next 65!

Team Latham

August 24, 2012

Food & Family, General, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Franklin County Farm Family Shares Favorite Bread Recipe
Guest post by Kourtney Determan, Marketing & Communications Intern

Like all things, the 4-H program has changed a great deal through the years. Gail Castillo of Latimer, Iowa, not only recognizes those changes, but appreciates them.

“The biggest difference is that families and young people have so many different opportunities and choices. It changes the time factor,” Gail explains. Her own two children, Andy and Abby, are involved in many different 4-H projects, so Gail understands how families have had to adjust.

Gail grew up in Franklin County, graduating from CAL (Coulter, Alexander and Latimer) High School. She was involved in 4-H during the time when girls clubs were given the option to focus on one project per year, rotating through Home Improvement, Sewing and Foods project areas. Gail learned to sew, bake and refinish furniture.

“I remember having to constantly battle the heat and humidity when trying to refurbish furniture,” she says. “I also loved the pie baking contest at the fair and then auctioning off the pies after the swine show at the fair.”

Gail is still involved in the 4-H program as a Regional Program Specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. She provides leadership for five different counties including: Franklin, Cerro Gordo, Mitchell, Worth and Floyd. She helps provide Food Safety and Quality Assurance training, regional camps, leadership training, science, engineering, and technology opportunities, as well as a variety of other programming. Gail also loves the opportunities she gets to share her agricultural background. “Most of our kids are from towns and cities, but it is still a spectacular thing to teach kids where their food comes from, even through horticulture projects.”

Living on acreage outside of Latimer, Gail’s own children get to experience rural living. “I wanted my kids to have the experience of being away from town. Even though we don’t live on a working farm, they get the farm life on my parent’s farm only three miles away.”

Andy and Abby are both active in a variety of 4-H projects including photography, robotics. Sixteen-year-old Andy also serves on county council, while 12-year-old Abby is interested in baking.

Perhaps Abby will even try her hand at baking bread, which is one of the projects Gail entered as a 4-H member. “We call it ‘Bob’s Favorite Bread,’ because it was my dad’s favorite when I was growing up.”

Today Gail is sharing her dad’s favorite bread recipe on TheFieldPosition.com. Do you have a “blue ribbon recipe” that you’d like to share? Feel free to post it below or send it to shannonl@lathamseeds.com.

Gail’s Pizza Dough (adapted from Fleischmann’s Yeast)

Makes 2 crusts

Ingredients:
- 2-1/2 to 3 cups flour
- 1/2 cup corn meal
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 pkg. rapid rise yeast
- 2 T. olive oil
- 1 cup warm water
Directions:
1. Combine 2 cups flour and other dry ingredients (including yeast).
2. Stir in olive oil and water. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough.
3. Knead until smooth.
4. Cover and let rest.
5. Shape into pan and add ingredients as desired.
6. Bake at 400° for about 20 minutes (until cheese is warm and bubbly).
Team Latham

June 22, 2012

Food & Family, General, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Prepare for Harvest with Ribbon-Winning Recipes

Some of my fondest childhood memories are centered around showing sheep at the Iowa State Fair. That’s why I was genuinely excited when Kurt Netzke invited me to join his family over Labor Day Weekend at the Minnesota State Fair for the FFA livestock exhibition, the largest FFA show in the world!

Showing sheep at southern Minnesota open shows keeps Kurt and his wife, Kerry, busy throughout the summer. Kurt and Kerry started Netzke Dorsets three years ago and have done well in that short amount of time with their current flock of 15 registered ewes. Their 14-year-old daughter, Haley, and their 10-year-old son, Noah, also show lambs at the Redwood County Fair.

Last weekend the family spent five days at the Minnesota State Fair for the State 4-H sheep show where their Dorsets captured reserve champion honors in the White/Speckle Face Commercial Breeding Ewe Lamb class. In the open class, they secured champion, reserve champion, third and fourth places in the White Face Quality Lamb Show. Their lambs also ranked first and third in Market Pairs. Black face club lambs raised and sold by Netzke Brothers produced two purple ribbon class winners in the State’s 4-H show including Champion Black Face Commercial Yearling Ewe.

In the FFA Show, Haley placed first in the Dorset Winter Ewe Lamb class. A wether lamb raised and sold by Netzke Dorsets was champion in the White Face Market Lamb division and went on to place Overall Reserve Champion when competing against the black face and speckle face champions. This is the second consecutive year that Netzke Dorsets has produced the Champion FFA White Face Market Lamb.

Kurt and Kerry started Netzke Dorsets three years ago. Their daughter, Haley, placed 1st at the Minnesota State Fair.

Both Haley and Noah have been members of the Lyon/Redwood 4-H Junior Rabbit Quiz Bowl Team, which has won the state championship four consecutive years. Kerry has coached the team three years and was assistant coach the first year. In 2012, Haley moves up to the senior division. Meanwhile, Noah looks forward to helping his team defend the state title. Both kids enjoy raising their Mini Rex and Satin rabbits that don’t require all work of training, washing, shearing and showing that sheep do!

Farm chores keep the entire family busy. Kurt and his brother, Glen, grew up on what is now a Century Farm in Redwood County where Kurt and his family now reside. Both of them returned to farm with their father upon graduating from South Dakota State University (SDSU); Kurt double-majored in Agronomy and Animal Science, and Glen majored in Animal Science. They began farming full time and formed Netzke Brothers, LLC in 1993 when their father retired from farming and drove semi trailers for Viessman, Inc. until his death in 2006. Their mother continues to help on the farm during planting, haying and harvest seasons.

The Netzke’s crop rotation includes corn, soybeans and alfalfa. The majority of their alfalfa is baled into large squares and sold to dairy operations. In addition to their grain and forage operation, the Netzkes maintain a 75-head cow/calf operation at the farm with an emphasis on club calves. A 65-head Suffolk-cross ewe flock provides quality show lambs for their annual spring lamb sale.

“Raising livestock has taught our children the circle of life,” says Kerry, who also works off-farm as the executive director for Area II Minnesota River Basin Projects, Inc. “Lambing and calving are always special times of the year. Plus, we enjoy the home-raised meat. Lamb ribs on the grill are a family favorite.”

With fall harvest quickly approaching, many busy farm families will forgo the grill for the crock pot. In honor of the changing season – and in promotion of the food they raise – the Netzkes are sharing their family’s favorite recipes for Lamb Stew and Ribbon-Winning Apple Bars.

What’s your family’s favorite harvest-time meal?

Recipe: RIBBON-WINNING APPLE BARS

Crust:

• 2 c. flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2/3 c. shortening
• ½ c. milk
• 1 egg yolk, beaten (reserve white)

Mix flour, salt and shortening; add egg and milk. Pat half of the dough into a greased, 9×13 pan. Set remainder of dough aside.

Filling:

• 5-7 c. apples, peeled and sliced
• 1½ c. sugar
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 T. flour

Combine filling ingredients and spread evenly over crust; dot with butter. Roll out the remaining dough and place over apples. Beat egg white until fluffy and brush over crust. Bake 45-60 minutes at 375 degrees. Optional: Drizzle powdered sugar frosting over the baked bars.

Team Latham

September 9, 2011

Desserts, Food & Family, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Fight Cabin Fever with Spring Fever Recipes

When March 1 appears on the calendar, I’m instantly ready for spring. I want the grass to turn green, trees to bud and flowers to bloom … overnight! I’m ready to play in the dirt, plant a few seeds in my garden and harvest the fruits of my labor. I’m eagerly awaiting April, which is National Gardening Month.

So you can only imagine how disappointed I was to awaken Wednesday, March 9, to a Winter Wonderland. I decided to get out of my funk by “bringing the garden indoors” and whipped up a Garden Chicken Casserole. Like many of my favorite recipes, this one is easy to make and tastes delicious. Add a loaf of fresh-baked Beer Bread with a Strawberry Spinach Salad and dinner is complete!

How do you fight Spring Fever?

Team Latham

March 11, 2011

Food & Family, General, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Treat Your Sweetheart

It’s become a Valentine’s Day tradition for me to serve heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast. My kids honestly believe the heart-shaped pancakes taste better than the traditional round ones. (Secretly, I had been using a boxed pancake mix until I bought pancake molds.

The following recipe came in the box with the heart-shaped molds, so I gave it a try. Yummy… the heart-shaped hotcakes did taste so much better!)

It warms my heart to serve my family a home-cooked meal and to think that I’m helping make special memories for my kids.

What’s your favorite way to treat your sweetheart? During the month of February, TheFieldPosition.com will feature Valentine’s ideas from readers across Latham country.

Shannon Latham

February 11, 2011

Food & Family, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Get Your Super Bowl Menu Game On

In case you didn’t know, “fiesta” means “party” — so let’s get it started with this delicious Fiesta Chicken Chowder recipe, just in time for your Super Bowl party planning. You’re welcome.

Team Latham

January 31, 2011

Food & Family, General, Poultry, Recipes