General | | Latham Hi-Tech Seeds

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Get The Most Out of Your Time in Sioux Falls

Located along the Big Sioux River, South Dakota’s largest city is overflowing with family-friendly experiences. With Dealer Kickoff being less than a week away, here are 10 ideas to enjoy Sioux Falls — without breaking your budget.

SculptureWalk Sioux Falls. From the Holiday Inn City Centre to Washington Pavilion and along several other city streets, you’ll find 80 new works on display for the 2024 SculptureWalk. You’ll see lifelike bronze statues, whimsical figures, abstract works and everything in between! You can even cast a vote for the SculptureWalk Sioux Falls “People’s Choice Award.”

Arc of Dreams. SculptureWalk Sioux Falls owns and maintains the Arc of Dreams, a stainless-steel sculpture that spans the Big Sioux River between 6th and 8th streets. The gap in its center represents the leap of faith that “dreamers take to see their dreams come to reality.” Created by South Dakota Artist Laureate Dale Claude Lamphere, the Arc provides stunning city views anytime of the day or night.

Falls Park is more than a park, although it does have a playground. It encompasses 123 acres with 38 miles of paved trails along the waterfalls and around historic buildings. The historic Overlook Café provides stunning views of the falls, as well as delicious ice cream and lunches. The park also features the Stockyards Ag Experience Barn. Learn about the city’s impact on agriculture, history, society and the economy through interactive displays. Admission is free.

Outdoor Campus. Hands-on experiences in hunting, fishing, outdoor skills and conservation science are offered by the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks. Youth, adults and families can explore indoor exhibits, a butterfly garden and an outdoor playscape, as well as enjoy two miles of trails for walking. All classes are FREE, and you can sign up online here.

Great Plains Zoo. The Great Plains Zoo is home to an award-winning snow monkey exhibit, as well as to traditional zoo animals like tigers and rhinos. This zoo also is a recognized leader in conservation, discovery and education.

Kirby Science Discovery Center at Washington Pavilion. Explore more than 100 exhibits that will spark curiosity and bring science to life. Each exhibit has something to captivate every interest, such as the human body, space, laws of motion and renewable energy. Paid admission to the science center also includes access to the Ravens Children’s Studio and the Visual Arts Center.

Rough Cut Social Axe Throwing. Test your aim or challenge your friends to hit the bullseye. Board and hook games are available, too. A player’s fee of $35 will allow you to indulge in good food, cocktails and (friendly) competition.

Battleship South Dakota Memorial. Visit the most decorated battleship of World War II. Commemorating the USS South Dakota (BB 57), this museum includes artifacts from crew members and the ship. Admission is free.

Downtown Food Tour. Founded in 2017 to highlight the best local culinary establishments, the Downtown Food Tour shows that Sioux Falls serves up more than meat and potatoes. If you don’t have three hours to dedicate to this food tour, check out the online Foodie’s Guide to Sioux Falls restaurants. Sioux Falls offers everything from cozy cafes and upscale restaurants to food trucks and street fare. The distinctive flavors of Bread & Circus’ signature Vietnamese fried chicken sandwich were a hit with Food Network star Guy Fieri.

Galaxy Gaming. Enjoy an out-of-this-world experience through space-themed laser tag, video games and virtual reality. Work out in a jungle-themed arena complete with game modes and targets. A fully-loaded trip to Galaxy Gaming is $25.

With all of the fun activities Sioux Falls brings, we can assure that you will have a great time at 2024 Dealer Kickoff.

Sioux Falls and South Dakota is best known for Chislic, which is cubed red meat. Enjoy this delicious recipe of South Dakota Chislic.

Maycee Wilkie

July 26, 2024

General
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Latham’s Sales Agronomist Intern Has a Passion for Ag, the Outdoors and Working With Farmers

Jett Fridley

From a young age, Jett Fridley knew he wanted to one day get a job in the ag industry so he could work closely with the farmers. Latham Seeds fulfilled those interests by giving Jett a sales agronomist internship, which allows him to work with both customers and dealers.

“One of the most valuable things I have learned is getting comfortable talking with customers and dealers,” Jett says. “I have learned to have someone that you can call with questions to help yourself grow as a person, but also to give the person asking the question an accurate answer.”

Jett is a junior at Iowa State University studying Agricultural Business with a minor in Animal Science. Being around the outdoors as a child ignited his passion for the ag industry and sparked an interest in connecting with people who have a similar passion. Jett enjoys being active and involved at ISU by participating on the intramural volleyball and softball teams.

Jett with his grandpa Mike and dad, Troy Fridley.

When Jett was growing up, he would visit his great grandparents’ 400-acre farm. Today, Jett and his family use the property to spend time hunting, fishing, riding side-by-sides and planting deer food plots.

Jett’s large family is a mighty support system for him. He has one sister and six step siblings. Jett’s love of the outdoors goes back to his childhood, when his family spent most of their time on the Mississippi river, boating, hunting and fishing in Muscatine, Iowa. In high school, Jett continued his wrestling career that started when he was six years old.

Previously Jett interned with River Valley Cooperative in Sunbury, IA as an agronomy sales intern with River Valley Cooperative in Sunbury, Iowa.

“That internship gave me a great overview of how a cooperative works and what services they provide,” Jett said.

Jett appreciates being able to spend time outdoors as part of his internship with Latham Seeds. In his spare time, you’ll find him fishing, hunting, boating and working out.

We are appreciative of Jett’s skills that have been clearly shown as he has diligently worked with customers and dealers.

Below is Jett’s favorite recipe, Homemade Style Meatloaf.

Maycee Wilkie

July 12, 2024

Food & Family, General
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Celebrating Independence Day, “Picnic Style”
America is rich in its history and traditions. Every year, the Fourth of July brings families and friends together to celebrate America’s independence with parades, activities and of course delicious food. Here at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we are rooted in our history as an independent-family-owned company

But what’s more American than a Fourth of July picnic? Actually, the word “picnic” comes from “pique nique,” which is French for “to pick.” Picnics were often held indoors, where everyone contributed their own dish. Since the 1830s Americans have embraced, which has been captured in many American paintings ever since.

Today, many of us couldn’t imagine celebrating the Fourth without a picnic, thanks to this easy and fun tradition. Whether you are celebrating on a boat, watching fireworks or in your own backyard, food is always a centerpiece of the festivities — because it has a special way of bringing people together. This holiday, we’re celebrating “picnic style” by sharing Sunnyside Farms baked beans and Grandma V’s Fruit Salad recipes to add to your celebrations.

From all of us at Latham Seeds, have a safe and Happy Fourth of July!

Baked Beans Supreme

Ingredients:
- 1 28 ounce can Bush’s Original Baked Beans
- 2 28 ounce cans Bush’s Onion Baked Beans
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef, browned and drained
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ stick butter
- 1 ½ cup Famous Dave’s Rich & Sassy barbecue sauce
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- Dried onion to cover the top
- Pinch garlic powder
- ½ pound bacon, fried and cut into ½-inch pieces
- 1 package polish sausage sliced
Instructions:

Mix all ingredients in a 6-quart crockpot. Cook all day on LOW or on HIGH for 2 ½ or 3 hours

Grandma V’s Fruit Salad

Ingredients:
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup sugar
- Scant 2 tablespoons vinegar
- Dash of salt
- 1 cup whipped cream
Instructions:
- Cream together eggs, butter and sugar
- Mix in vinegar and salt; cook in double boiler until thick, stirring constantly
- Cool mixture and then add 1 cup whipped cream
- Pour over fresh fruit (bananas, strawberries and grapes) then refrigerate
Maycee Wilkie

July 2, 2024

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

Latham’s Sandie Johnson Retires After 43 Years in the Seed Industry

From sunflowers to kidney beans to soybeans and corn, Sandie Johnson says her 43 years in the ag industry has treated her well.

She was just 25 years old when she started in the sunflower research department for SIGCO Research in Breckenridge, Minn. In the fall, she worked in the fields, collecting moisture samples for testing. In the winter, she threshed sunflower heads one by one, putting the seeds in envelopes for planting.

“It was hard, monotonous work,” says Sandie, who is retiring from Latham Seeds after 12 years of working with farmers and dealers.

A knack for numbers and an interest in accounting took Sandie to the accounts payable department at SIGCO, where, among other things, she tracked all capital purchases. When SIGCO was bought by Mycogen Seeds, she moved to a different department (SVO) that contracted with farmers to grow high oleic oil sunflowers — and was happy to continue working with growers through delivery, billing and settlements for their crops throughout the season.

The purchase of a lake house in 1994 an hour away prompted Sandie and her husband to relocate.

Her new job was as an office “floater” at the hospital in Fergus Falls, Minn. It only took six months for her to realize how much she missed working in the ag industry.

“It was the same thing every flippin’ day!” Sandie says of the hospital position. “I couldn’t do it.”

She accepted an opening at Prairie Bean Co., (a division of ConAgra) and focused her attention on processing kidney beans. And then in 1996, Sandie moved to Wisconsin to be the office manager at Brown Seed Farms. As a small company, she handled everything in the office – from seed orders, shipments, returns, account receivables, payments and settlements, payroll and accounts payable. Thirteen years later, when Brown Seed was sold to NuTech Seed, she relocated to Forest City, Iowa and continued to work with the dealer network that also moved to NuTech.

“Then one of the RSMs I worked with at NuTech went to Latham Seeds,” Sandie says. “He told me they needed someone and I was interested in working with a family-owned business again.”

That was in 2011, when Sandie accepted a seed account manager position at Latham. She worked with farmer-dealers for several regions for 10 years until December 2022, when she moved into the finance department — again relying on her knack for numbers and accounting experience.

“I’ve been so lucky that I’ve always enjoyed who I worked for in this industry,” Sandie says. “I’ve loved working in agriculture every minute. It’s been very good to me.”

The unexpected death of her son-in-law earlier this year made Sandie reevaluate her future. In many ways the tragedy brought her and her children closer together. But it was a life-changing event that she simply couldn’t ignore.

“Going through it, we saw the value in each other,” Sandie says. “And while I love what I do – my job and the people I work with – I love my family more.”

Sandie and her husband, Todd, live in Forest City with their two dogs: Zuzu, a 15-year-old puggle, and Stella, a one-year-old Dalmatian.

She has two children, two stepchildren and six grandchildren. Sandie’s an avid baseball fan (especially of the Minnesota Twins) and loves participating in community theatre, which she’s done for most of her adult life in several states.

Her plans after retirement?

“I intend to do my best to be fully present and enjoy every minute I can with family and friends.”

In honor of her time at Latham Seeds, Sandie is sharing a recipe for the dish she has always brought to the annual holiday potluck.

bonnie-harris

June 28, 2024

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

Boy Next Door Stays True to Latham Roots for 48 years

Greg Jaacks was literally the boy next door. He and his three siblings – Jeff, Kim and Steve – grew up in the little house beside Willard and Evelyn Latham, who employed Greg’s dad at Latham Seeds.

Marvin had moved his family to a larger house a few miles away and rented his own ground to farm. To accommodate the growing Jaacks (pronounced “Jakes”) family, Willard offered to add on two bedrooms to the small house next to his own. That was just the incentive Marvin needed to return to Latham Seeds.

The connections run deep between the Jaacks and Latham families.

“Willard gave me my first haircut as a little boy in their basement,” Greg recalls. Willard and Evelyn’s oldest son, Bill, held baby Greg during the haircut.

Greg helped at Latham Seeds as needed while he was in high school. Upon graduating in May 1975, Greg took a full-time job with a local farmer. He loved everything about the job from tilling soil and baling hay to shelling corn and feeding cattle. One thing he didn’t like was the pay. Greg worked 10 hours a day, six days a week for $75 flat. He wanted his own place but needed to make more money first.

“I asked my dad if I could get on his crew at the (Latham) plant,” Greg says. “He told me I’d have to find out for myself. He said I’d better go talk to Willard.”

Greg mustered up the nerve to knock on Willard’s front door. Evelyn answered and welcomed him inside. Willard told Greg he could start work the following Monday if he got a haircut and shaved his beard — which he promptly did.

“As long as you gave Willard what he was expecting, as long as you kept your promise and did your job, he was good to you,” Greg says.

Greg is grateful he got to work beside his dad for nearly 22 years at Latham Seeds. And this fall, he will celebrate his 49^th anniversary with the company.

“He really was my best friend,” Greg says of his dad. “It’s been a good, solid job here at Latham. When I started here, that’s what my grandpa said: Latham’s a good solid place to work.” Greg’s grandpa was a local farmer, who also worked on Marvin’s crew during the winter months.

Greg and his wife, Donna, have two daughters, Trisha and Sandy. They enjoy attending their two grandchildren’s activities and watching them play sports. In his spare time, Greg likes to fish, ride his Harley and watch NASCAR.

Greg also enjoys his mom’s Ham Loaf recipe, which reminds him of his childhood on the farm. He is sharing that cherished recipe here.

Shannon Latham

June 20, 2024

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

Latham’s Jerry Broders Retires After 46 Years in the Seed Industry

Jerry Broders recently celebrated his 42^nd wedding anniversary and his retirement on the same day. After 46 years in the seed industry, Jerry says it was time to start doing more fishing and golfing — and spending more time with family and friends.

At his recent retirement party, he joked about how he felt to hang up his career: “The only person who can tell me what to do now is my wife,” he says with a laugh.

Jerry grew up on a cattle, hog and grain farm 30 miles from DeWitt, Iowa. He helped his dad farm until the early 1980s, when the farm crisis forced foreclosures at unprecedented and devasting rates. He went to work for Pioneer at an animal research station, evaluating silage and hybrids, and stayed with the company nearly 20 years in various capacities. His last role was with the optimal quality grains group at a time when Dupont was buying out Pioneer. His territory was “I-35 to the Pacific Ocean,” Jerry says.

Crisscrossing half the country every week soon got old, and after his dad passed away, Jerry decided to move back to Iowa to be closer to his mom. He took a job with Kruger Seed, where he worked until 2013. That’s when he got a call from Tom Lizer, an old friend and former Kruger colleague who was the general manager at Latham Seeds.

Jerry says it was because of their history and the respect he had for Tom that he agreed to join Latham’s sales team. But there was one caveat.

“I told him I’d give him 10 years and then I wanted to retire,” Jerry says. “I ended up staying 10 years and 8 months.”

Though much of his career was spent on the corporate side of the industry, Jerry says he appreciated the change in pace at Latham. He enjoyed working for a family-owned company that isn’t beholden to one brand and is more interested in solving problems.

Chris Latham, Jerry Broders and John Latham

“I have always liked being able to provide answers and solutions,” he says. “It’s important to be able to help farmers make good decisions that are best for their own circumstances.”

Jerry says he will most miss working with dealers and customers — some of whom have been with him for 25 years and followed him to Latham Seeds.

Jerry Broder’s Retirement Party

“They’re like family to me, just really good people,” he says. “I’ve always treated people honestly and fairly, because when you get down to it, the only thing I can stand on is my reputation. I’m going to miss the relationships I’ve built.”

Jerry and his wife, Kimberly, live in DeWitt. They have two grown sons, Zach and Matt. Here is one of their family’s favorite appetizers: Dried Beef Dip!

Shannon Latham

June 14, 2024

Appetizers, General, Industry News, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

A passion for ag brought him — with new skills — back to the family dairy farm

Dustin Ellis grew up on his family dairy farm in Waumandee, WI. After his high school graduation, he knew he’d come back to the family farm. Dustin’s experience in FFA, including receiving third place at the National FFA Convention for his John Deere 4320 restoration project, helped make the ag industry his life’s passion.

Dustin went to Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College- New Richmond to study Ag Diesel Mechanics.

“I chose this major because I enjoyed fixing things,” he says. “I wanted to expand my skill set and bring that back to my family farm.”

Dustin met his wife, Ashley, in FFA during high school, where they shared a passion for agriculture. They now have two daughters, Finley and Nola. Ashley works from home, takes care of the bookkeeping and helps on the farm.

After college, Dustin returned home to his family dairy farm full-time and works with his parents and brother. They milk in a double 10 parallel parlor, and grow soybeans, alfalfa, corn and rye. They also run a custom chopping operation.

Dustin says he wanted to work with an independent, family-owned seed company. He became interested in Latham for its strong corn and soybean lineup and was excited to test some of the new products firsthand through seed trials.

“My favorite part about working with Latham Seeds is the knowledgeable staff who are always willing to help find the best products for our farm and my customers,” Dusting says.

Dustin is involved in the community through his county Farm Bureau, where he is on the Board of Directors and was the Young Farmer Chair. When he’s not farming, he enjoys spending time with Ashley and his daughters, wakeboarding and hunting.

Today he shares with his his families favorite recipe Biscuits and Gravy!

Maycee Wilkie

June 7, 2024

Beef, Breads/Breakfast, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Sprouting New Talent: Meet Latham Seeds’ Summer Interns

We are excited to welcome not one, but two talented summer interns to our Latham team this year! Jett Fridley is working with us as our Sales Agronomy intern, and Maycee Wilkie is working with our Marketing Department — just in time for Dealer Kickoff.

A little about Maycee:

Maycee Wilkie

Maycee is a public relations major at Iowa State University with a minor concentration in event management. She grew up in Clear Lake, where she was active in several FFA leadership roles and wrote for the FFA Reporter.

During the academic year, Maycee works in ISU’s financial aid office as a digital marketing and communications assistant. She is responsible for developing brochures, website content and articles that inform students on financial aid opportunities and improve financial literacy.

Maycee learned about Latham Seeds in high school, when Shannon Latham toured their greenhouse and FFA program. She’s excited to step back into the “ag” world while learning more about the strategic side of marketing. Upon graduation, Maycee would like to find a job where she can raise awareness for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

“God instilled a passion in me to advocate for those living with ALS after my dad passed away from it,” Maycee says. “It is my mission to do just that through communications or marketing.”

A little about Jett:

Jett Fridley

Jett is a junior at Iowa State University studying agricultural business with a minor in animal science. He is from Muscatine.

Jett has also interned with River Valley Cooperative, where he learned about the services that cooperatives offer. It was there that he found colleagues who were passionate about their work, which translated into exceptional customer service.

He sees that same passion at Latham Seeds, and says he looks forward to working with experienced sales team members to learn more about the company’s products.

“I’m also looking forward to working alongside farmers and learning more about their operations, while showing support for the Latham brand,” Jett says.

Please join us in welcoming Jett and Maycee to the Latham family business!

Shannon Latham

May 31, 2024

Food & Family, General, Latham News
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Latham Seeds Welcomes Jacob Vallery as District Sales Manager in Western Iowa

It was a “letter to his future self” for a high school writing assignment that gives Jacob Vallery a new perspective about life goals. In that letter, Jacob wrote that in 10 years, he wanted to be married, have a child (or one on the way) and be working as a sales manager for a respected seed company.

“Nobody can ever say writing down your goals doesn’t do anything,” Jacob says with a laugh.

That’s because Jacob is not only married to college sweetheart Kaylee, but they are also expecting their first child in September. And, as it turns out, Jacob is the newest District Sales Manager for Latham Seeds.

Jacob and Kaylee with their dogs Kinze and Yue

“We’re thrilled that Jacob has joined our team, especially given his family’s long history in farming,” says Latham Sales Manager Amy Rohe. “He’s already impressed us with his energy, knowledge and desire to serve our Western Iowa territory.”

Jacob’s territory also extends to Southeast Nebraska, where he lives in the town of Douglas. Jacob and Kaylee moved in the day after they were married in October 2022. Kaylee owns a dog grooming salon and works at the local bank just few miles from their house.

Staying close to home was always the plan for Jacob. His parents live in the house that his great- great- great-grandfather built in 1876. That’s the farm where Jacob was raised, approximately six miles west of Plattsmouth, Nebraska.

“We were all corn and soybeans growing up, so I had heard of Latham Seeds,” he says. “At one point, my dad and my grandfather planted some Latham soybeans.”

While in high school, to help save for college, Jacob ran a successful Golden Harvest dealership. Later he interned with LG Seeds and job shadowed DSMs at that company. After graduating from the University of Nebraska with a degree in integrated crop management and agronomy, Jacob returned home to help his dad on the farm.

A call about a sales job with Latham Seeds made him remember his letter to his future self.

“I realized that I have a lot of the same values as the Latham family,” Jacob says. “I’m looking forward to building relationships with current dealers and bringing new dealers onboard. I really hope to make a difference with dealers in my territory.”

He adds: “To work for a company where the owner is willing to take time out of his day to meet you and talk to you . . . that matters a lot. John takes time for every dealer and customer. It says a lot about how he cares about them, and I admire that very much.”

Shannon Latham

May 24, 2024

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

Crops and Cattle Are This Farm Family’s Business

As a kid in 4-H, Aaron Steenhoek got hooked on beef. Through 4-H projects, he kept pens of cattle and sold quarters, halves and wholes direct to consumers. He tracked how the cattle grew and how they gained. He remembers a local locker that sent a USDA inspector to show him how beef was graded and measured.

“It was really interesting to me,” Aaron says. “Cattle have always been in my family, but I really got interested in the meat side of things.”

So much so that he and his wife, Cory, decided six years ago to grow that side of their own family business. The couple live on the Steenhoek family’s Iowa Century Farm in Pella, where Aaron and his dad run a cow-calf operation. They also grow corn and soybeans, as well as summer forage, rye and alfalfa as feed for their herd.

Now, Aaron and Cory also have a feedlot at Black Oak Acres. Aaron says they buy four or five groups throughout the year – feeding roughly 150 to 160 head annually — in order to keep a constant flow of cattle on the farm. He’s particular about only buying cattle private treaty, or directly from a small number of trusted producers.

“They don’t go through a sale barn or auction. We go and pick them up straight from the farm,” Aaron says. “It keeps the cattle from being exposed to other cattle, which keeps them healthier.”

Aaron, who is also a regional sales manager for Latham Seeds, says he and Cory decided a few years ago to apply for a retail license to sell their farm-raised beef direct to consumers. Until then, they had been relying on local outlets to retail it for them. Now they have an inspected space right on the farm where they can sell cuts and bundles themselves.

Aaron says the retail business has been nice because people can fill in with particular cuts even when Black Oak Acres might be a month or two out on product. Customers can buy in smaller amounts, too.

“But what’s really great is that people know where their beef is coming from and how it’s been treated,” he says. “We never use growth hormones or antibiotics.”

The Steenhoeks are careful stewards of the land — both for quality nutrition for their animals and conservation practices to protect it for generations to come.

“Stewarding the land and the livestock is important to me,” Aaron says. “We really enjoying educating people about livestock and cattle in particular. There’s a lot of misconceptions and misinformation out there, because people are more removed from the farm life in general these days.”

Piedmontese Cattle

Included in Aaron’s herd are four Piedmontese cattle, a rare breed that is known for being a leaner, premium-tasting but lower-calorie choice in beef. This is because Piedmontese are myostatin free, meaning they have a higher lean-to-fat ratio and do not develop the fatty marbling of traditional breeds. In addition, Piedmontese have lower levels of cholesterol, making it a healthier option for some people.

Aaron says the texture of Piedmontese is different, and it needs to cook more slowly and at a lower temperature than more common cuts of beef.

“But when it’s cooked right, you can almost cut it with a fork,” he says. “It’s that good.”

Aaron and Cory have four children: Emmett, Rhett, Klay and Quinn. They both graduated from Central College with degrees in exercise science and health promotion. When she’s not helping out on the farm, Cory is a personal fitness trainer. Today they’re sharing a family favorite recipe for National Beef Month.

Shannon Latham

May 17, 2024

Beef, Corn, Crop, Food & Family, General, Recipes