It’s truly a treat for our kids when our family spends the night in a hotel where Domino’s Pizza delivers pool-side.  One reason Domino’s is reserved for “special occasions” is because there isn’t one located nearby.  This weekend, however, I’ll drive 19.5 miles – or approximately 31 minutes – just for the principle of it.  I want to say, “Thank You, Domino’s” for supporting America’s farmers.  Why?

Last month Domino’s shareholders had the fortitude to reject a request by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to stop buying pork produced with the crates.  Domino’s spokesman Tim McIntyre said, “We rely on animal experts to determine what is the best way to raise an animal that’s being used for food.”

Fifth generation Missouri farmer Chris Chinn was so encouraged to hear that the stockholders of Domino’s Pizza share her stand on animal care that she launched a grassroots movement on the Just Farmers blog.  “As a farmer, I respect Domino’s for its common sense decision and for trusting the experts in animal care,” she writes.  “Domino’s decision speaks volumes to me as a farmer.  It shows they trust the experts I trust.  It shows they trust me.  I appreciate that.”

“We, in agriculture, need to make sure that we start showing appreciation to those companies that are willing to take some time to look into situations before jumping on a sensationalism bandwagon,” writes Mike Davelaar on The Truth About Agriculture blog.  “I’m going to pick up a couple pizzas and leave a note for the management of Domino’s.  I’d encourage all of you to do the same.”

Order a pizza pie between May 18-20 and “pay it forward with pizza.”  Join the worldwide Ag Pizza Party.  You can bet it’s going to be a “special occasion” at the Latham house sometime this weekend.  And special occasions call for Domino’s!

• A printable PDF flier for farmers & ranchers to give to their local Domino’s!
• A printable PDF for any agvocate to give to Domino’s!
• Mike Davelaar’s post on The Truth About Agriculture Blog
• Chris Chinn’s Blog on Just Farmers

“Musing of a Pig Farmer”
by Larry Sailer

After getting a late start planting my crops, I pushed a little too fast and planted ground that was a little too wet. I thought about tilling the ground to work in the hog manure that I applied as fertilizer and to also help dry the soil. Wet soil at planting can cause a crusted layer to form, which may delay or prevent seedling emergence. Light tillage would’ve helped the seedlings break through the soil. However, I decided to stick with no-till to fight erosion. Now it looks like my yields are going to be reduced significantly because I didn’t work the ground and create a more suitable seedbed.

The debate over whether to conserve soil and be in compliance or suffer a yield loss from compaction is taking center stage in this year’s Farm Bill debate. Politicians and activists insist on tying conservation efforts to farmer’s benefits, such as crop insurance. The government pushes us farmers to have this insurance and threaten to take it away if we fall “out of compliance.” If I would till my acres in an effort to produce more crops to feed a growing world, I would lose my crop insurance. Even though I’d be farming the most efficient, least risky way possible, tilling those acres is not allowed by the Farm Bill as it’s now written.

Farmers have been producing food to feed the world since the beginning of the human race. The agricultural revolution of the 17th-19th centuries happened naturally and mostly without government intervention. Agriculture changed the world. Advances in technology and farming methods have allowed us to increase production while decreasing labor resources needed. For the first time in history, average income finally rose above subsistence level around the end of the 18th century.

Just think what might’ve happened instead if the government had gotten involved around this time and mandated what farmers could and couldn’t do. I’m guessing we wouldn’t have the incredible quality of life that we do now. Regulations lead to less production, which leads to higher prices. So the government burden doesn’t just affect farmers. Government regulations on agriculture end up affecting consumers, local communities, and the world at large.

As a kid, I loved seeing new sites but despised road trips.  I would’ve preferred to take an airplane to a single destination to enjoy five straight days in someplace like Orlando, Florida.  Meanwhile, my parents preferred to “see the country” through the windshield of their Ford extended cab.  I’m sure that I sighed loudly each time they ventured off the paved path.  I may have even rolled my eyes when they weren’t looking.  For sure, I cried when we were lost in the middle of Montana with our gas tank nearing “E.”  (I can still hear my mom saying, “We’re not lost, Honey.  We just don’t know where we are.”)

But as an adult, I can truly appreciate the lessons my parents taught during our annual family vacations.  Some of the best memories happen when we take the road less traveled!

We’ve munched on fresh cherries while traveling through Napa Valley, California.  We’ve sampled fresh crab from a shack in Maine.  We’ve eaten around a cowboy campfire in Wyoming.  We’ve enjoyed making s’mores and listening to crickets near the start of the Mississippi River in Itasca, Minnesota.

My family and I have also traveled to big cities… I nearly got engaged in The Rainbow Room before attending a Broadway production in New York City.  I’ve shopped the Magnificent Mile and had tea at The Drake in Chicago.  I’ve enjoyed barbecue & blues on Beale Street in Memphis, Tenn.  Yes, I’ve even taken in the sights and sounds of Las Vegas including a $4.99 all-you-can-eat buffet with the most delicious Belgian waffles.

But none of the glitz and glamour found in the big cities feeds my soul like quiet times spent in the Midwest’s rural areas!  That’s why one of the things I enjoy most about my job is traveling the countryside, visiting with Latham® dealers and farmer-customers.  I’ve gained an appreciation for the differences in the landscape across six states.  I enjoy the raw beauty of each area, whether I’m in the Loess Hills of Iowa or along the Mississippi River.

Here are just a few of the fun stops that I’ve made in the 10 months:

• New Ulm, Minnesota (celebrating my German heritage with bratwurst and potato salad)
• Historic Tyden Farm No. 6 in North Central Iowa
• J& J Hideaway in Northeast Iowa (for a tranquil getaway to fish and hunt – yummy morels!)
• The Farmer’s Kitchen in western Iowa (award-winning pies, chili and burgers)
• Hansen’s Farm Fresh Dairy near Waterloo, Iowa (the creamiest, homemade ice cream ever)
• Iowa State Fair (nothing else compares to pork chop on a stick or beef sundaes)
• Franklin County, Iowa  (Yes, I was a tourist in my home county last fall!)

That’s why I’m inviting The Good Traveler, Aric S. Queen, to drive through “Latham Country” as he embarks on a Classic American Roadtrip for National Geographic.  After all, Midwesterners are as classic as baseball, hot dogs and apple pie!

To get involved in our campaign to bring The Good Traveler to the Midwest, follow these easy steps outlined by Iowa Traveler Jody Halsted (@iatraveler):

• Send a tweet to @GoodTravelerNG.  Tell him what he’s missing. Use the #TravelMidwest.
• Leave a comment here.  Share your story of inspiring people and passionate communities.
• If you have a blog, share your story there and link it back here.

“Musings of a Pig Farmer”
by Larry Sailer

During my talk last month at the 140confDM / State of NOW Conference in Des Moines, I mentioned Old McDonald’s Farm.  Then conference founder Jeff Pulver (a city dude) asked Deb Brown (a country girl who lived for decades in Chicago) if today’s farms are really like Old McDonald’s Farm. Now I need to say that Deb does not farm, but even though she lives in the middle of farm country, she did not have an answer.  Deb’s speechlessness made me realize how important it is for farmers like me to share our stories with all consumers, even those who live in rural areas.

Sharing my knowledge of modern farming with consumers, our customers, is the reason I agreed to speak at the 140 conference in the first place. As I stated in my talk, one of the things I try to do is first listen to what town folks have to say. I listened that day in Des Moines, and I learned that bacon is beloved!  After I mentioned Bacon Fest, bacon was talked about the rest of the day!

Now back to Jeff’s question… Farming has changed greatly over the years. Unfortunately, people without a direct connection to farming often don’t see just how many improvements have been made.  They only know what they hear and see through the media.  Think of the images portrayed by Disney® cartoons.  As a result, two or three generations have been led to believe that animals are like humans:  They talk.  They walk.  And Porky the pig even hunts like a human.  Being the old grumpy pig farmer, I can’t help but think how these shows have skewed the perception of farming.

The need is great to educate consumers about where their food comes from and how it is produced.  It takes a real effort for a busy farmer to leave his/her farm and drive to a school or civic group meeting – or to a 140 conference – where people can listen, ask questions and share experiences.

There are many programs and groups in place to share the real story about farming and ranching, but we have a big job to do!  Unless we make a concerted effort to educate, people like a young Desmund Adams won’t know how food gets to a grocery store.  Desmund, who was raised in Chicago, commented during the 140confdm that he was 17 years old before he knew that meat came from an animal that was raised on a farm.  His point is well taken: agriculture needs to do a better job of sharing farmers’ stories.  You can help by sharing “Musings of a Pig Farmer” with your friends and family!  Ask them to send me their questions by posting comments.