There’s a new worker at our plant in Alexander. This one can work nights, weekends and never ever needs a break!
December 1 was the first day on the job for “Willard,” as we’re affectionately calling our new robot. Willard was installed by Chantland Company of Humboldt, Iowa, and Latham crew members spent five days learning how to program the robot and to integrate it into our bagging system. Willard does some heavy lifting! It can stack 18 bags of soybeans per minute, which greatly reduces the amount of physical labor required to move seed from the bagging line to the warehouse.
The addition of Willard frees up team members to complete other tasks, thus increasing our efficiency. Another benefit of Willard is built-in safety. Its electronic eyes will see when a foreign object (like someone’s hand) ventures into the work area; if so, the robot automatically and immediately shuts down.
When your Latham® Hi‑Tech Soybeans get delivered in 2012, know they were probably stacked by “the new guy.” To see video of Latham’s robot in action, go to http://youtu.be/6IyB97uF2nI.
David and Annette Sweeney were married December 1, 1985, during a 26-inch blizzard and at the height of the farm crisis. They weathered these storms and also raised their family in the same house where Annette was raised. Their oldest son, Jim, graduated in December from Iowa State University with a degree in Agricultural Engineering, and this month he began working with Energy Panel Systems in Graetttinger. Their youngest son, Joe, is a member of the 2010-2011 Iowa FFA officer team. He’s a junior at Iowa State University, double-majoring in Agricultural Business and Ag Economics.
“Taking the bull by the horns” is modus operandi for Annette Sweeney, a native of Buckeye, Iowa. This third generation farmer and cattle producer has developed a reputation for researching issues and addressing problems in a straightforward manner. She’s passionate, caring and compassionate to boot. As a result, Annette Sweeney has become one of Iowa agriculture’s biggest advocates.
“Agriculture is truly the backbone of many rural communities, and too many people have the wrong impression of farmers,” says the 56-year-old wife, mother, entrepreneur and former teacher. “I want to provide a voice for agriculture, rural areas and small schools. I also want to make sure decisions are based on science.”
She’s taking her convictions to the Hill. When the Iowa Legislature convenes on Jan. 9, 2012, Rep. Annette Sweeney will resume her duties as chair of the House Agriculture Committee. She says the Legislature’s priorities are jobs and budgets, and she wants to make sure agriculture is at the forefront of those discussions.
“We need to remember that agriculture is a business – a $77 billion dollar business for Iowa. It’s too important to overlook,” says Annette, who learned the business of farming first-hand – literally – through blood and sweat and a few tears.
After the untimely death of her father in 1983, Annette moved from Illinois where she was teaching middle school English and speech/drama, to her native Iowa. She took over the family’s 1,350-acre row crop and purebred Charolais cow/calf operation.
“I put my nose to the grindstone and did everything I could to keep our farm afloat. I was driven to succeed because I didn’t want to have to sell off anything that my family had worked for,” she explains. “My dad didn’t have any life insurance, and at the time of his death, there was no spousal exclusion. The tax burden was horrendous. We had 90 head of seedstock, and the crop needed to get planted. The spring of 1984, I literally grabbed the owner’s manual off the shelf for the planter and headed for the field.”
Fortunately, the determined 26-year-old was blessed by help and counsel from trusted family friends and advisors. Steve Mayo, manager of the elevator at Buckeye, graciously spent three days teaching Annette the basics of grain marketing. Attorney Carl Letz of Eldora spent another week – free of charge – going over tax codes and giving tips. A CPA friend helped Annette understand W2’s and other employment forms. Dr. Gerald McDaniel from Radcliffe didn’t charge to teach her how to vaccinate cattle. In addition, Annette went to school and learned how to AI (artificially inseminate) cows.
With experiences like this, it’s no wonder Annette relates so well with Iowa farmers!
“I’m really enjoying my position as House Ag Chair and the opportunity to meet more farmers across the state,” says Annette, who’s running for re-election in House District 44. “It continues to amaze me how many Iowans have a drive to succeed, not only for themselves, for the benefit of their communities and for their state.”
For updates from the Iowa Statehouse, “like” Rep. Sweeney’s legislative Facebook page. It will help keep you updated on issues affecting the state of Iowa, as well as some issues across the nation as Annette Sweeney is representing Iowa agriculture on the national level.
When her schedule allows, Annette enjoys gathering with family and friends around the kitchen table. The Sweeney family’s favorite meals are beef roast with vegetables or steak on the grill. But in honor of January Soup Month, today Annette shares one of her family’s favorite chowder recipes.
During a live broadcast this week, the following question was posed to Franklin County farmer Larry Sailer: How are you using social media to assist with farming? Facebook, Twitter and blogs have become virtual coffee shops.
Advocacy – helping others understand farming practices and educates the masses about important issues impacting agriculture and farmers.
Community Building – connects consumers with producers; helps farmers connect with the people their feeding; and connects people who have similar interests.
Relationship building – getting better acquainted with people you already know and meeting others with whom you can network and work together for a common cause.
Farmers Do Text. (In fact, I set up all of the farm stops for the WHO Radio 2011 Crop Tour through texting!) They also tweet and post status updates on Facebook, too.
“Twitter and Facebook are popular,” agrees Deb Brown of Debworks, a marketing organization based in Hampton, Iowa, that uses traditional and new media to help businesses get noticed. “Fifty-seven percent of Franklin County residents are on Facebook; it’s the new ‘party line’.”
I just love Deb’s sound bite but can’t help but wonder how many politicos connected “party line” to Democrats v. Republicans rather than the shared telephone lines that were common in rural areas when I was a kid.
Aren’t double entredrés great? The more I think about it, the more fitting I find it that social media has become the new party line. Rather than “drawing a line in the sand,” we can use social media to connect “two or more users in an exchange” of ideas. Regardless of whether people or Democrats or Republican, we can unite around common interests including family and community, food and fun!
Social Media is New "Party Line" during Iowa Caucus
Naturally, all Americans look forward to the time between Christmas and New Year’s. It’s often filled with rest, relaxation and anticipation for the future. Even if adults are working that week, it reminds me of taking summer classes while a college student: You do the work but the atmosphere is a lot more relaxed.
That is unless you’re an Iowan and it’s the week before the first-in-the-nation caucus! Then your telephone rings several times a day – even interrupts family gatherings as you celebrate the holidays – with political candidates trying to win your support. (On the upside, it beats having bill collectors call!) You can find 24/7 news coverage of the upcoming landmark political event as even the “local news station” is providing its own angle.
But I’m not complaining! I honestly believe it’s an honor for Iowa to host the caucus. We have the privilege of exercising our freedom to vote, take part in the political process, plus showcase all that Iowa and its wonderful small towns have to offer. And that’s exactly what happened when CNN’s Starting Point with Soledad O’Brian rolled into the Hawkeye State.
CNN producers met right before the New Year with Franklin County residents including Larry Sailer, farmer and Franklin County Farm Bureau member, and Deb During Brown of Hampton, founder of Debworks, who specializes in using traditional and new media to connect people.
“CNN found more stories about our bloggers tour,” writes Brown in a Dec. 30 blog post. “Residents of Franklin County were actually using social media! Suddenly the topic changed from politics to how rural communities were using social media. Larry Sailer – a farmer in the county, myself, Claire Celsi – businesswomen and blogger from Des Moines and Michael Libbie – advertising man and blogger will be on a live panel Monday morning. Starting Point with Soledad O’Brien – here we come!”
Click here to watch a news clip of Franklin County residents and bloggers, who were interviewed Monday on CCN’s Starting Point.
Farmers, support education in your community and help strengthen your rural communities by applying for a grant from America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education. Applications will be accepted from January 6 through April 15, 2012. Nominating your public school is as simple as completing a one page form.
Grants will be awarded based on merit, need and community support. That mean the more farmers who nominate a school district, the more it demonstrates community support and thus strengthens that school district’s application. So, encourage all of your friends and family members to apply! A little grassroots organization could go a long way toward helping your school.
Skeptical? Your odds are much better receiving a grant from the rural education fund than from winning the Publisher’s Clearing House. Just ask the folks who farm near Wells, Minnesota. Last year the United South Central School District in Wells, Minnesota, received a $25,000 grant for new lab equipment and graphing calculators.
America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education is sponsored by the Monsanto Fund to help farmers positively impact their communities by supporting local school districts. Specifically, the program gives farmers the opportunity to nominate a public school district in their community to compete for a merit-based grant of either $10,000 or $25,000. The program is available in 1,245 counties in 39 states. Overall, the program will donate more than $2.3 million to school districts.
Grant recipients will be selected by America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory council, a group of 26 farmers from across the country. Grants will be announced in August 2012.
For more information, visit GrowRuralEducation.com or call 1-877-267-3332. NOTE: The referenced website, including an online application form, will not be updated with 2012 information until closer to the application period. In the meantime, you can download a hard copy form here.
Ring in the New Year with Fire Crackers and Iced Cranberries
After years of the same New Year’s Resolutions making American’s Top 10 List, Parade magazine is offering 55 ideas to switch up things for 2021. Idea number one is to “focus on a passion not your looks” followed by “workout to feel good not to become thinner.”
Other Top 10 Resolutions for your consideration include:
Start each day with gratitude. (Latham’s Marketing Team members begin its weekly meeting by expressing something for which they are grateful. It helps set the tone for a great meeting!)
Ten resolutions sounds lofty, doesn’t it? Perhaps that’s why only 50% of people who make resolutions are successful after six months. Sometimes less is more; fewer is better.
There are a few, simple practices you can put into place to increase the likelihood of achieving success. University of Scranton psychology Professor John Norcross, in a special story to CNN, offered these evidence-based tips for making and keeping your New Year’s resolutions:
Make short, attainable goals.
Develop a specific action plan.
Publicly declare your resolutions to hold yourself accountable.
To hold herself accountable, one of my friends reviews her resolutions daily. She prints her annual goals on an interesting piece of paper and places them in a cute frame beside her bathroom sink. Then each morning she reflects upon her list and decides what she needs to do to continue to work toward achieving her goals. She is truly one of the most productive and successful people I know.
In the short term, my holiday weekend goals are to “Eat. Drink. Be Merry.” That’s why today I’m sharing with you two of my favorite recipes from my mom’s recipe box. Cranberry Slush has been a holiday tradition for more than 30 years. The Fire Hot Crackers are always a hit. Try topping these crackers with summer sausage and cheese.
1 T. red pepper flakes (double the flakes for a little more “fire”)
½ T. onion powder
1 pkg. dry Ranch dressing mix
Directions:
Mix oil garlic and onion powder, crushed pepper, and dressing mix. Pour into a 2-gallon bag. Add crackers and carefully shake bag so that crackers get coated. Let the bag set for 15 minutes and then shake it again. Pour onto paper towels and let dry. (COOK’S TIP: Top with paper towels, as well, to remove excess oil.) Store in airtight container.
Motorists have one more “tool” for their winter survival kit, thanks to a new smartphone application. It’s available – free – for both Android and iOS systems.
“The app will help you find your current location, call 911, notify your friends and family, calculate how long you can run your engine to keep warm and stay safe from carbon monoxide poisoning,” says Iowa State University Extension Safety Specialist Charles Schwab in a recent Wallaces Farmer article. “You can use the Winter Survival Kit app to store important phone and policy numbers for insurance or roadside assistance. You can also designate emergency contacts you want to alert when you become stranded.”
The Winter Survival Kit app can be used to determine geographic location. It’s gas calculator estimates how long the car engine will run on the remaining fuel plus every 30 minutes it will remind motorists to turn off the vehicle’s engine and check the exhaust pipe for snow buildup to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. In addition, the Winter Survival Kit app provides information on preparing one’s vehicle for winter driving and on staying safe when stranded in a storm or stuck in snow. Click here to read the entire Wallaces Farmer article, “Phone App Is Winter Preparedness Tool for Motorists.”
Much time will be spent this week reflecting on 2011 and resolving to make changes in 2012. One change farmers can make in 2012 is resolving to better manage weeds.
Weed resistance is a growing problem (literally) in our area. One weed that continues to cause problems is waterhemp. As you make plans for your 2012 soybean weed control programs, please ask yourself the following questions:
Am I using multiple modes of action and residual herbicides with post-emergence in my soybean herbicide program to help prevent resistance from taking place in my fields?
Am I allowing weeds to compete with my crop early in the season that may be impacting yield?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, the best step to take is to address the issue by using FULL rates of pre-emergence herbicides in your soybean fields. Kevin Bradley, a weed scientist from the University of Missouri, conducted trials with waterhemp in soybeans. According to Bradley’s research, a pre-emergence herbicide applied before soybean planting reduced late-season waterhemp density by 97 percent.
Results like that – 97% reduction in waterhemp density – is worth trying! After all, resolving to change your weed management program is a lot easier than resolving to walk or run on one’s treadmill every day.
Corwith Farm Service Gives New Meaning to “Full Service”
Latham® dealers Pete and Bonnie Wilhite of Corwith, Iowa, give “full service” new meaning.When customers stop by Corwith Farm Service on Main Street, they can pick up everything from alfalfa pellets (yes, rabbit food) to fresh ground hamburger. Patrons can also enjoy a cup of fresh-brewed coffee, play a game of cards and place their seed orders for the year.
The Wilhites bought the town’s grocery store, formerly known as Ron’s Food Center, in April 2010. The previous owners, Ron and Mary Cronin, had operated the store since August 1975 and were looking to sell once Ron was diagnosed with cancer. The sale of the business to someone locally – and to a friend no less – helped bring some peace of mind to the Cronins and community members alike since an independent grocery store is the heart of a small town.
After purchasing the grocery store, the Wilhites made a few changes. They added a coffee corner and began selling deli sandwiches for people in need of “grab and go” lunches. They also added more fresh fruits and vegetables to their product offering.
There was a learning curve, admits Bonnie. It’s hard to gauge what will be a good seller, so sometimes the family’s meals are based on what needs to move from the grocery store shelves. Corwith Farm Services cuts its own meat, so Pete had to learn how to operate the saws and grinders. Fortunately, the same person who had been working at Ron’s Food Center for the past 10 years continued working when the store changed hands. The Wilhites also added an additional employee to the payroll.
Pete works at the store each week day from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. He carries out groceries, and if need be, he’ll make deliveries. Bonnie spends Fridays at the store, after working 40 hours from Monday through Thursday as the operating room and emergency room supervisor for Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.
“Corwith Farm Services isn’t a job to me,” says Bonnie with her ever-present smile. “All week I’m helping with surgeries and dealing with emergencies, so the grocery store is really an outlet for me. On Fridays I get to catch up with friends and with bookwork.”
In addition to their “day jobs,” Pete and Bonnie farm. They raise corn and soybeans plus have cows and calves on pasture from spring to fall. Both of their children were active in 4-H and showed cattle at the county fair.
“We love living in the country and are glad we were able to raise our kids on the farm,” says Bonnie. “There is always something to do. When our kids were younger, I didn’t have to worry about where they were because they couldn’t go anywhere without us driving them!”
The Wilhites’ kids are on the go now. Their 21-year-old daughter, Chelcee, is in her final semester at Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids. She is working at the medical clinic in Britt before returning to the classroom in February. In May, she will complete her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN). Lucas, age 20, is a sophomore at Iowa State University in Ames where he’s majoring in business. (Lucas is also seeking a summer internship, so you know whom to call if you’re looking to hire!)
While their college kids are home on break, Bonnie is sure to mix up a few of their favorite foods including homemade pizza and Mexican Corn Dip. This dip, along with Cyclone-colored tortilla chips, is on the menu for Dec. 30 when Iowa State takes on Rutgers during the New Era Pinstripe Bowl in Yankee Stadium.
Easy Homemade Pizza
Ingredients:
1 package yeast
1- 1/4 c. warm water
1 tsp salt
3 to 4 c. flour
Directions:
Mix and knead. (The more you knead, the lighter the dough is.)
Let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
Put in pizza pans and top with your favorite toppings.
Many farm-related activities, such as feeding the cattle and plowing the farm yard, must be done no matter what the thermometer reads. That’s why it’s important for farmers to take special precautions, so the cold temperatures don’t take their toll.
Wear mittens instead of gloves. Mittens allow your fingers to remain in contact with each other, enabling your hands to stay warmer.
Cover your head and ears. The head, neck and ears lose heat faster than any other part of the body.
Stay dry.
Do not drink alcoholic beverages. Alcohol actually causes the body to lose heat more rapidly.
Watch for frostbite and other signs of hypothermia like numbness or disorientation. If you suspect frostbite or hypothermia, it’s important to:
Seek immediate shelter in a warm place.
Handle any frostbitten area gently. Don’t rub them!
Replace cold, wet and clothing with dry items.
Warm the body gradually, not by a stove or fire.
Contact your local emergency medical services for help with frostbite or hypothermia.
Farm children are at risk whether they are helping out with the chores or just enjoying the many adventures that might exist on a sunny, but bitterly cold day. Snowmobiling, sledding or just having a snowball fight with Grandpa may be dangerous.
Children may not be able to identify the signals of danger, so help them stay safe by monitoring their actions frequently. Winter can be a beautiful and fun time of the year to enjoy the farm if precautions are taken to prevent the cold from endangering those who are experiencing its glory. For more information on farm safety, visit www.fs4jk.org
There’s a new worker at our plant in Alexander. This one can work nights, weekends and never ever needs a break!
