Last week I had the privilege of attending an information-gathering meeting for Take Root, a new program being launched by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to help farmers develop business and succession plans.  The objective of this new program is to help farm families work through a step-by-step process of developing a vision for their operation and then taking a managed approach to the obstacles they face in farm growth and transition.

If the turnout to last week’s meeting is any indication, this topic is near and dear to many people’s hearts!  I had a hard time finding a place to park at the Fireside Restaurant in Eldora where the meeting was held.  After finally securing a spot on the street, I went inside to find standing-room only.  The IFBF has expected 20 attendees, but there were more than 40 people in that room!

I’ve been hearing for years about all of the old farmers who will retire, leaving no one to grow our food.  Surprise… these fears are unfounded!  From what I gathered at the Take Root meeting, young folks are eager take over.

When asked what should be covered in the Take Root series, one young farmer answered, “How do we get the old folks out of our way?”  I reminded him there were a few of us old farmers in the room!  From this remark, however, I realized some of these young farmers need to see the value of having experience.  It’s okay they want to take over, but I hope Take Root blends “old farmers’” experience with the young farmers’ enthusiasm, so we can help them prevent some of costly mistakes from being too eager.

One of the subjects that will be covered by the Take Root program is how to transfer a farming operation.  One reason is this is such a challenge is because more than 97 percent of Iowa’s farms are family owned.  As any parent knows, you’re going to have more than one opinion if you have more than one child.  It’s no wonder that only 30 percent of the farms successfully make the transition from the first to the second generation and only 10 percent of those make it to the third generation.  Farm transition is going to be key to keep Iowa agriculture – and Iowa’s economy – strong in the future.

The second priority of Take Root is developing a business plan, which becomes the farm’s road map. Yep… a business plan for a farm!  Should you use a C-Corp or an S-Corp?  How about a limited liability company (LLC)?  In many operations, there can be more than one structure used: livestock might be in one form, land in another and machinery may even be in a third.  S-Corp, C-Corp or LLC – all are still examples of a family farm.

There is a need to setup the farm the right way for each family as how the farm is structured is extremely important for that family to pass it to the next generation.  Farm structure can play a large role in the financial situation of the operation.  Taxes are a large consideration, but I’m not even going to try to cover taxes here today!

We have food to raise and people to feed.  We’re in an industry that will not go out of style.  Us “old farmers” need not worry who will raise that food.  We just need to get out of the way and not get run over.  It’s a new world out there, but we still need to eat!  For more information about Take Root, go to www.iowafarmbureau.com or contact Nathan Katzer at 515-225-5494 or nkatzer@ifbf.org.

Larry Sailer is known as a hog farmer from North Central Iowa, an agvocate and the author of “Musings of a Pig Farmer.”  Some folks even remember that he wrestled in college.  But did you know that Larry is the proud grandfather of a member of the Iowa State Cyclone football team?

Devin Lemke was a three-star recruit and named to The Des Moines Register Class 2A first-team all-state team.  As a high school senior, Devin caught 10 passes for 199 yards and four touchdowns.  He threw a 55-yard touchdown pass as a tight end on offense.  He also recorded 53 tackles, nine for a loss, earning all-district honors as a junior.

An all-around athlete, Devin lettered four times in track and wrestling.  He was a two-time conference champion and qualified for state wrestling tournament as a junior.  He placed third in state as a senior and was one of three finalists for Mr. Wrestler.  Devin also was member of state champion 4×100-meter relay team and finished third in 200 meter dash at state championships as a junior.

With stats like these, it’s no wonder Devin was being recruited by both Iowa and Iowa State.  An endearment to the Cardinal & Gold, as well as respect for Coach Paul Rhoads and his vision to build the ISU football program, ultimately swayed his decision.  When Devin announced his commitment to Iowa State, he was quoted in the newspaper as saying, “It means a lot to know that I’ll be representing my home state.  My family is proud of me, and my decision to pick Iowa State really made them happy.”

“We’re proud of all Devin has accomplished on the field and in the classroom,” says Larry.  “But most importantly, he’s just a great kid! He takes sports seriously, but win or lose, he acts with class.  He’s earned respect from his opponents and coaches alike.”

“Devin is a hard worker whenever there’s a job to do,” adds Larry.  “He’s dependable and he doesn’t quite until the job is done. He has helped us on the farm for many years and still comes home to help every chance he gets.  He literally gave me a helping hand when I was laid up and couldn’t do my hog chores this past winter.  He comes home often and helps wash out the hog barns.  He helps during the planting and harvest seasons, too.  He’s a real worker.”

This weekend that Iowa work ethic will get put to use on the gridiron.  Larry and his wife, Janice, along with Devin’s parents, Charlotte and Lance Lemke, will be among the happiest fans in the stands.  Not only does Saturday’s game against the UNI Panthers mark the Cyclones’ 2013 season opener, but it’s also Devin’s return to the game as a shoulder injury keep him on the sidelines last season.

How does a family celebrate such an occasion?  The Sailer family celebrates with pork, of course!  Charlotte has requested that Larry smoke a pork loin, which is a family favorite.  But a tailgate just wouldn’t be complete without a few side dishes and snacks.  That’s why today Janice is sharing her simple recipe for Mexican Dip.  Mix together a batch and get ready for a Cyclone weather alert!

Soon summer vacation will end and all classes will resume at all of our local schools.  The same goes for the United States Congress.  Their August recess ends soon, and there’s a real need for them to sharpen their pencils and get to work!

Our Federal elected officials have been home (hopefully) talking to us, the people whom they represent.  This past month provided constituents with an opportunity to visit U.S. senators and congressmen about topics that matter most to us.  Now that our elected officials are returning to Washington, D.C., it’s time to stop talking to them.  Instead, send them an email or drop them a letter.  I was told by a state representative that one time he voted on the opinion of one email – just one!  Letters and emails are so important, and that’s why I’m once again writing about the Food Security Act.

House Speaker John Boehner expects to bring up the Farm Bill “immediately” when the House returns Sept. 9.  He expects to appoint conferees the next day and finish the bill before Sept. 30 when the current farm bill expires.  However, House Agriculture Committee ranking member Collin Peterson is not optimistic.  Peterson says it’s more likely the current Farm Bill will be extended – again.

We don’t need an extension.  We need a bill!  And I mean “need.”

“I don’t care which side of the aisle you align yourself with – no one can be proud of what is going on, or more accurately, not going in our nation’s capital,” writes farmer and rancher Glenn Brunkow in his blog “Dust on the Dashboard.”  He makes a compelling case for why the Farm Bill is so desperately needed:

1. Food security must be established to insure that a society will grow and flourish. Nowhere in history will you find an enduring world power without a strong agricultural foundation.
2. World powers have always been food secure. Wars are started by hungry people!
3. A strong food and fiber production system was undeniably a matter of national security.  Think how the price of crude oil fluctuates based on the whims of other nations that don’t have our best interests in mind; now think about how that would be if that was your food we were talking about. We can’t become dependent on foreign nations for our food!

The Food Security Act goes much further than the production of food and fiber.  And, it’s extremely complicated.  There are parts of the Farm Bill that deal with everything from how we conserve our soils, to export our farm products.  It even includes food assistance programs.  In fact, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding now accounts for 80% of the Farm Bill.

The SNAP program has been a part of the bill for years, but it’s become an increasingly large budget item.  SNAP cost almost $80 billion last year – twice the amount it cost just five years ago!  Our federal budget must be considered in any legislation that is passed.  I know this is not always done, which has resulted in the deficit with which we now labor.

On a side note, the U.S. Deficit is a huge national security risk!  We must trim funding.  We must address the waste in the SNAP program.  I know that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says he’s working on it, but honestly, a lot of money is being spent on a lifestyle and not on food.  (I know it’s not politically correct for me to say this.  Everyone “needs” a cell phone, cable TV and the Internet.)

The reality is that North Americans aren’t naked and starving, so food security is secondary.  On the Doc ‘n Lefty show last week, Doc talked about how wealthy Americans pocketed millions of funds for farms they had never even been on.  We’re willing to fix that, but remember, this type of fix almost always hurts the small and beginning farmers most.

The Food Security Act is needed whether you live in a city, on a farm, or are in need.  This is one bill that should be non-partisan.  Contact your U.S. congressman and senators.  Let them know what you think.  It’s time to mind your own business!

Nearly 100 people, driving or riding motorcycles and muscle cars, channeled famous Iowa explorers as they traveled through Lewis & Clark Country on Saturday, Aug. 24, for the 5^th Annual Latham Freedom of Independence Ride.  The 134-mile route took drivers down the Lewis & Clark Trail.

One highlight of this adventure was a ride across Blue Lake on an historic keelboat similar to the one Lewis & Clark, along with 26 men, traveled up the Mississippi River from St. Louis. Army Captain Meriwether Lewis and his former commanding officer William Clark were commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson in 1804 to explore the vast western territory purchased from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase.  Lewis & Clark embodied the nationalistic vision and patriotism that formed the spirit and richness of American history.

Another fun stop along the way was Sioux Jerseys LLP, a state-of-the-art dairy where cows are milked 24/7 using two, double Mag 90i parallel parlors.  Because Sioux Jerseys contracts with Well’s Blue Bunny, following the tour, riders were treated to Blue Bunny® ice cream.  One bite into a sweet treat makes it clear why Wells – the largest, family-owned and operated ice cream manufacturer in the United State – is celebrating its 100^th year of business in 2013.

One of the crop stops included a Latham® Hi‑Tech Soybean showcase, where Latham Product Manager Mark Grundmeier gave an overview of three exciting technologies in the pipeline.  Latham Forage Products Manager Corey Catt also talked about the importance of micronutrients to increase corn yield, forage production and alfalfa tonnage.

Of course, no field day – even one on two wheels – would be complete without a corn technologies showcase.  Riders had a chance to learn more about Agrisure Artesian corn products, which provide season-long drought protection to increase yield in moisture-stressed fields.  Two Latham Hi‑Tech Hybrids for 2014 planting, LH 4974 3011A and LH 6412 GTA, will feature this fascinating new trait.

Agrisure Duracade™ is a brand new mode of action for corn rootworm control and will be combined with Agrisure RW to give two modes of action. Agrisure E-Z Refuge™ offer performance, ease-of-handling and reduced.  We’ll begin with LH 5495 3122 and plan to add other trait packages like Duracade as they gain regulatory approval.

Watch for exciting new announcements soon from Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds!  Be part of the journey every day at www.thefieldposition.com .  We also post agronomic tips and news of interest daily on our company’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LathamSeeds.  You can also follow @LathamSeeds on Twitter.

For a recap of Latham’s first four Freedom of Independence Rides, click on the links below:

• Good Times Roll at Inaugural Freedom Ride
• Freedom Riders Join Drivers in the Seed Industry
• Picture Perfect Ride Conditions for 3^rd Annual Freedom Ride
• Going Hog Wild for Latham’s 65^th Anniversary