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Young Wisconsin Dairyman is Living his Dream at Luchland Farms

He didn’t have cows. He didn’t have feed. He didn’t have equipment. But Darren Luchsinger had a dream of operating a dairy like his great grandfather and grandfather, so he went to work right after he graduated in December 2015 from Monticello High School in Monticello, Wisconsin.

“I spent a lot of time with my grandparents on this farm, and I always enjoyed the cows,” says Darren, who says he feels blessed to live on the farm where his grandparents milked. The barn was empty for five years, and then Darren’s family purchased the farm about two years ago. “My grandpa always had Holsteins, so that’s what I started with. I’ve added some Jerseys to my herd to increase butter fat, which helps with the milk check.”

Because his milk gets sold to family-owned and operated Klondike Cheese Company, components like butter fat are important. Another way Darren is working to increase the butter fat is by feeding high quality forage to his cows. He’s especially looking forward to harvesting his first field of Latham’s LH 9700 alfalfa, which was planted on April 28 with peas and oats.

His grandpa, Gene Luchsinger, enjoys spending time on the farm with Darren and helping do anything that’s related to crops or equipment at Luchland Farms (pronounced Luck-Land. He leaves all the cow care and milking responsibilities in Darren’s hands.

In addition to his grandpa, Darren’s girlfriend helps take care of the calves. Another valuable hand is Annie the Red Heeler. Annie is responsible for bringing cows in from the pasture each morning and evening for milking.

Darren’s short-term plans include growing his herd, which began with 50 cows and has grown to 78. He recently took on a Latham® Seeds dealership to help him reach his goal of buying more cows. He says the dealership also helps diversify his farm income, as well as provides a cost savings on the seed he needs to plant to grow feed for his cows. In fact, all the crops he planted this spring will be fed on his farm.

“The Monticello FFA gave me lots of skills that I’m using,” says Darren, who participated in agronomy, dairy and soils judging. Skills gained in dairy judging are helping him evaluate his cows, and he’s raising all of his own stock. He just started an Angus beef herd with 15 head that he plans to sell direct.

Although he’s working hard to make his dreams a reality, Darren also takes time to serve his community. He began serving as a firefighter in Monticello in high school and is in his third year. He said he came by it naturally because his parents were EMTs and now they’re both firefighters. In fact, his dad is the fire chief.

When he’s not busying dairying or fighting fires, Darren enjoys golfing and hunting for deer or turkeys. He also enjoys grilling and real Wisconsin cheese.

In honor of June Dairy Month and the summer grilling season, today we’re sharing a recipe for Brick Cheese Mexican Wrap. Also be sure to check out the Klondike Cheese Company’s website for unique recipes like the Harvarti Halftime Burger featuring dried cherries like those grown in Door County Wisconsin, and Odyssey® Feta Grilled Beef Filet with Creamed Corn.

Shannon Latham

June 15, 2018

Agriculture, General, Industry News
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Beef is More than Business for NCBA President-Elect

Livestock isn’t just her business. It’s her calling and her passion. Raising livestock is a way of life for Jennifer Houston of Sweetwater, Tennessee, who is the 2018 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President-Elect.

“I would like consumers to understand that producers care deeply about the animals we raise. We care about each animal’s welfare,” says Jennifer. “Producing a safe, wholesome product is top of mind. We feed what we raise to our own families, so I want consumers to feel good about feeding safe and wholesome beef to their children. Once consumers understand how hard we work to care for our livestock, it helps deepen their trust.”

As in any relationship, it takes time to earn trust. Jennifer has spent a lifetime earning the trust of fellow producers and consumers alike. She says she was raised to advocate as her father was Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Her father-in-law served as executive director of the Tennessee Livestock Association.

Jennifer credits her involvement in 4-H livestock judging and as a member of the University of Tennessee livestock judging team for helping her develop the confidence needed to defend her beliefs and to state the reasons why she made her decisions. These experiences undoubtedly helped her develop strong public speaking skills.

Those speaking skills have been used to represent the beef industry since Jennifer graduated from college and married Mark Houston, whom she met while they were both majoring in Animal Science at the University of Tennessee. After graduating from college, Mark returned home to help with the family’s livestock auction business that his father had formed in 1962. A few years into their marriage, Jennifer left her job with the USDA and joined Mark in the East Tennessee Livestock Center where a regular sale is still held every Wednesday. Graded feeder calf and Holstein steers sell on Fridays. They also have about 27 special Friday sales each year and offer video sales for producers, who can sell in tractor-trailer load lots.

In addition to the auction business, Jennifer and Mark also run stocker cattle and develop beef heifers.

“I enjoyed showing cattle when I was growing up, and we really had a lot of fun attending shows as a family. My husband didn’t grow up showing, but he really embraced it with our children. Our son and daughter both showed commercial heifers, and it was fun to watch them build a herd,” recalls Jennifer. “There were days when it was 100 degrees in the shade with 90 percent humidity, but our kids had to go out and work with their heifers and steers. They had to find time to get their chores done, even when they had ball practice or games. They learned the importance of keeping their animals properly fed and watered. I believe working together really builds close families.”

Jennifer has served as a tireless advocate for the beef industry while working in the family business, producing beef and raising a family. Jennifer credits her time management skills and work ethic to growing up on a cattle and hog farm. She feels called to serve agriculture and the beef industry that means so much to her.

“Not everyone has the opportunity to be involved in industry organizations because of their situation or their inclination. That’s why it’s so important for those of us who are willing and able to get out and represent our farmer-rancher friends,” explains Jennifer. “I’m involved because I hope to make a difference for the better.”

Jennifer has certainly made her mark throughout the years. In 1986, she became a member of the first Tennessee Beef Industry Council and has served twice as its chairman. Her national involvement began as she represented Tennessee on the Beef Industry Council of the National Livestock and Meat Board. She has been an NCBA board member since 1996, chairing the Foodservice, Advertising and New Product and Culinary Initiative committees. Jennifer has chaired the NCBA Policy Division. She also has served as chair of the Federation of State Beef Councils where she also served on the Beef Promotion Operating Committee and the Meat Export Federation executive committee. She served as Region II Vice-President and was a member of the NCBA executive committee from 1997 to 1999.

At the state level, Jennifer has chaired the Tennessee Livestock Network. She served as president of the Tennessee Cattlewomen’s Association and served on the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association executive committee. She also active in the Tennessee Livestock Marketing Association and serves on the University of Tennessee Regional Advisory Board.

“I’ve been involved with cattle my whole life, so it’s the only way of life I know,” says Jennifer. “Whether you raise crops or livestock, there’s a way to get involved at some level: locally, regionally, state, national. Agriculture needs you! And you get back so much more than you give.”

Even if you don’t have time to get involved on an association board, Jennifer says you can advocate in so many ways: be active on social media, do interviews on radio and/or television, write articles, speak to Rotary or Kiwanis clubs or volunteer to speak in classrooms. Stories that resonate best with consumers are real-life examples of what happens on your farm or ranch.

Consumer also connect with producers through food. Today Jennifer is sharing with us one of her family’s favorite recipes for pan-seared steak in honor of June Steak Month.

Team Latham

June 1, 2018

Agriculture, General, Industry News
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

In Memory of Tom Lizer

John Latham, President

May 31, 2018

Agriculture, General, Industry News
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Cowboys Gather in Eastern Iowa for Annual Memorial Day Roundup

“BYOH” isn’t what one expects to see on an invitation to an annual Memorial Day weekend party, but then again, this isn’t your typical party.

Cowboys from miles around will load horses into trailers and travel to Robb and Jennifer Ewoldt’s farm in the picturesque hills of Scott County near Davenport, Iowa, for the 20^th annual branding weekend. The group varies from year to year, but Jennifer says there are about 20 friends and family members who show up year after year, plus a few new hands join in the fun. This year a businessman from Germany, as well as a Wyoming native who’s now working in the Davenport area, have expressed an interest in participating.

“We prefer to ride horses to work our cattle because it causes less stress on the cattle,” explains Robb, whose parents in 1970 bought 70 acres of a former Boy Scout camp and built a farmstead. Robb’s dad, Gary, worked off farm full-time, so Robb and his mom, Sally, were primarily responsible for tending to the crops and livestock. He grew up riding horses out to the cow pastures.

Now Robb, Jennifer and their two sons enjoy riding their own horses across the rolling countryside. They moved onto the farm last November when Robb’s parents moved to town. It’s a family effort to take care of the 125 cow-calf pairs. Eleven-year-old Alex and 9-year-old Isaac enjoy riding out to the pasture to check on cattle and throw out salt blocks. Alex is a second-year member of the Bluegrass Junior Farmers 4-H Club and is looking forward to showing his first Bucket Calf this summer at the Mississippi Valley Fair.

In addition to raising cattle, Robb’s family has a 2,400 wean-to-finish hog enterprise. Robb no-tills about 1,000 acres of corn and soybeans plus custom harvests another 1,000 acres. Jennifer works full-time off the farm as a veterinarian at Scott County Animal Hospital. Plus, every two weeks she makes time to write a column in the Quad City Times. She gives readers a “behind-the-scenes” look at what’s happening year-round on their Iowa farm.

“One night at the supper table I was expressing my frustration to Robb about another negative article I had read about farming. I told him there are so many good stories about farming that never get told. He responded by asking me why I wasn’t telling them,” says Jennifer, who was honored as an Iowa Master Farm Homemaker in 2014. “I thought Robb made a good point, so I drafted a few sample stories and sent them to the City Editor. To my surprise, the newspaper editor was very open to my ideas. I’ve been a regular column for since 2009.”

One reason Jennifer’s columns are so relatable to consumers is mostly likely due to the fact she didn’t grow up on a farm. A native of Prince Edward Island in Canada, she learned to ride at the stables and that’s also where she developed an interest in becoming a large animal vet. Jennifer graduated from veterinary school at the University of Prince Edward Island in Canada. She then did a one-year internship at Iowa State University, where she met Robb, and went on to complete a three-year surgical residency in veterinary surgery at The Ohio State University.

Jennifer and Robb are a team in the farming operation. She drives equipment when needed and serves as the farm’s veterinarian. She tags and treats the cattle, does pregnancy checks and gives vaccinations. During each roundup she’s responsible for giving calves the shots they need and does the castrations.

In fact, all the wranglers have the process down. It’s a like a team roping event you might watch at the county fair where one cowboy ropes the head and another the heels. Then the crew jumps into action. One person holds the head and a front leg; another person controls the back legs. Injections are given, and an ear is tagged. Males are castrated, and each animal gets branded with the Rafter E.

“We use freeze branding, so the iron brand is placed in liquid nitrogen. The cold changes the color pigment of the hair from black to white, so the cold brand is more visible on a black calf than a hot brand would be,” explains Robb.

Why go through the work of branding? “It’s so much fun,” answer Robb and Jennifer in unison with smiles on their faces. As the old saying goes, many hands make short work. Once the work is done, the Ewoldts and their hands will enjoy kicking back around the campfire and telling tales while enjoying some delicious homegrown beef.

Robb says his favorite meal is a grilled ribeye with a side of grilled onions. Robb likes to cook the onions low and slow for about an hour, so he puts those on the grill first. Simply quarter two Vidalia onions; place minced garlic and a ½ pound of butter in the center. Wrap them in foil. While the onions are grilling, Robb seasons the ¾-inch thick steaks with McCormick’s meat tenderizer and garlic salt to taste. He works them over with a hand-held meat tenderizer and then seasons the other side.

Click here for grilling tips from the Iowa Beef Industry Council.

Team Latham

May 25, 2018

Agriculture, Beef, Food & Family
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Henry Fire Department: Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Picture this: Dave Fuller is outside on a beautiful spring day, preparing his planter for the upcoming season when he sees a fire truck barreling down the road to save a house in his neighborhood. As the truck passes Dave’s home, the driver lays on the horn. That is the cue! Dave runs to his truck and rushes to the scene where he pitches in.

“If there was a fire in our area and they needed more help, they would just lay on the horn,” explains Dave. “When we heard that, other farmers and I would rush off to help in any way we could.”

After Dave showed up quite a few times to help, members of the fire department asked him to become an official member. Dave gladly accepted and has been serving on the Henry (South Dakota) Fire Department for the past 14 years.

“I think it’s important to be on the fire department because you can provide comfort and support when people need it most,” he says. “It’s nice to give back and people really appreciate all we do.”

Dave shared an inspiring story about one of his experiences on the fire department. They were called out on a medical emergency at the home of an individual who was having fainting spells. A gentleman was taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital, but his wife was not able to go with him. Because they were new to the area and didn’t have any family near, Dave drove her to the hospital. He didn’t think much of it. Later that year, Dave saw the woman in the grocery store. She recognized Dave and thanked him again for his help.

The Henry Fire Department has 20 volunteers who help where needed. In addition to fighting fires, they have helped with storm clean up, EMT calls and traffic accidents.

“I think it was just bred into me to serve my community,” says Dave. “We all believe that we should help our neighbor in any way possible. When someone is in a time of need, they often turn to the fire department.

The Henry Fire Department also hosts a variety of community events throughout the year, including bean bag tournaments, street dances, a mud run, raffles and a pork feed. They use these funds to update their equipment and buy resources for their crew. They also conduct safety demonstrations at local schools.

Dave farms with his parents, Lee and Dorothy, outside of Henry. They raise corn, soybeans, small grains, and beef cattle. Dave and his wife, Kim, have four children: Carter, Peyton, Collin and Olivia.

We greatly appreciate Dave’s service to his community and his willingness to help anyone in a time of need. If you’d like to nominate someone on your local fire department or EMS crew for a feature story on TheFieldPosiiton.com, call the Latham office at 1-877-GO-LATHAM!

Webspec Admin

April 30, 2018

Agriculture, Industry News
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Young Farmer is Hands On Conservation and Community

Farming, conservation, community service.

Jacob Handsaker is a young farmer with passion for community and the future of rural Iowa. If he sees an opportunity to contribute to making things better for future generations, he doesn’t hesitate to “dig in”.

Jacob started farming full-time in 2008 after graduating from Iowa State University. He now resides on the family-farm with his wife Mindy and four children Myles, Ellie, Will and Kimber. The family raises corn, soybeans, sweet corn, sweet peas, cover crops and hogs. Mindy enjoys being a stay at home Mom but also spends time in the classroom teaching about agriculture as an Ag in the Classroom coordinator through the Iowa Farm Bureau.

In addition to farming, Jacob owns and operates an excavating business with family members Brett and Brian Handsaker. The Handsaker’s grew up doing their own farm improvement work and decided to start doing custom work for other farmers as a way to incorporate more family members into the family farm. As they started gaining experience and exposure in the area, the business continued to grow and Hands On Excavating was born. Today they specialize in farm drainage and excavating, demolition, hauling, site preparation and most recently conservation work including bioreactors. (A bioreactor is a strategically-placed woodchip-based filtration system designed to remove nitrates from water before it enters streams and rivers. These innovative systems are part of a state-wide effort to implement new practices to improve water quality.)

While two family businesses and four kids certainly keep Jacob and Mindy busy, both agree that its important to make time to give back to their community. For the past 12 years Jacob has been involved with the local EMS as an EMT, and is a member of the Radcliffe Fire Department. As part of these teams, Jacob participates in regular meetings, trainings and certifications to make sure both equipment and crew are ready to answer calls at a moment’s notice. Another part of the volunteer role Jacob enjoys is interacting with the community to help them learn more about the role of their local fire and emergency services departments and ways they can stay safe in their own home.

Gary Geske

April 23, 2018

Agriculture
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Keeping Small Town Iowa Safe

Those of us who live and work in rural American often rely on local volunteers like those at the Alexander Volunteer Fire Department. Alexander, Iowa, is the home of Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, and we’re proud that so many of our employees feel called to serve.

Latham Team members Quentin Boelman and Brad Wessels both serve on the Alexander Fire Department.

Quentin, who has served as a fireman for 11 years and is currently fire chief, is following in his father’s footsteps.

“My dad was on the fire department and so I was always around it when I was younger,” he says. “Then after all the events that happened on September 11, I was inspired to get involved.”

Brad, who is in his third year of volunteer service, says, “I chose to get involved to help people and contribute to the community. I wanted to make sure that everyone stays safe here.”

Quentin and Brad have both been through extensive training to become certified firefighters. Training spans over four months and contains a variety of training methods, including classroom-style presentations and live fire exercises. Topics cover fire science, safety procedures, rescue techniques and proper use of protective equipment.

There are nine volunteer firefighters on the Alexander department, which is a solid crew considering the town’s population was 175 in the 2010 census. The department made a strong effort to recruit volunteers after a fire occurred in Alexander and a crew from a neighboring town had to come put out the fire. Response time lagged, so concerned citizens like Quentin and Brad answered the call.

“After that happened, we knew we needed to do something different,” said Brad. “We needed to protect what we have and not rely on other communities for our safety.”

The Alexander Fire Department also has been actively raising funds for new equipment. Each spring and fall, they hold a meal and invite community members to attend for a free-will donation. Their largest meal to date served close to 180 people and the raised over $3,000! Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds donated a print for a drawing give-away at the fall event and also provided the plates, napkins and silverware.

The fire department has also raised money through generous donors in the Alexander area. Latham Seeds gave a donation that went toward purchasing Grain Rescue Tubes, which allow the fire crew to safely rescue individuals from grain entrapments.

While the grains tubes are helpful, most of the funds raised by the Alexander Fire Department are going toward a new fire truck. They have raised more than $75,000 to fund this purchase. The truck is being built and should arrive later this spring.

We are lucky to have such dedicated workers on staff at Latham Seeds. Volunteers like Quentin and Brad, as well as Dave Craighton who serves on the Dows Fire Department, are committed to their communities. We know there are similar stories throughout rural America. If you’d like to nominate someone on your local fire department or EMS crew to be nominated for a feature story on TheFieldPosiiton.com, call the Latham office at 1-877-GO-LATHAM!

Webspec Admin

April 16, 2018

Agriculture, Industry News
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Committed to Families and Communities

Commitment: the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause or activity.

As a member of a Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department for eight years, Dave Craighton is committed to serving his community. He volunteers his time and offers his skills to help the Dows Fire & Rescue Team serve rural Franklin County Iowa.

Dave had held several positions, including Hose Captain and Deputy Chief. He’s currently serving a Training Officer, so he leads monthly training seminars to teaches the 24 members of the Dows Fire & Rescue Team. Recent training topics have included how to cut into a car, handle hoses and a operate water pumps.

“We build comradery through our team, and they’re like another big family. They’re with you through the ups and downs,” says Dave. “All in all, you know you have a support team behind you.”

Dave enjoys volunteering on Fire & Rescue Team and says it feels good to give back to his community. 12 years ago, one of Dave’s family members passed away in a tragic work accident. That situation changed his life.

“I never want to go out on a call. But once my job is done and I look back at what happened, I think about what our team did to help someone else. It’s a good feeling.”

This example of community service was followed by Dave’s son Derrick, who enlisted in the National Guard after graduating from high school in 2007. After serving in Afghanistan, Derrick returned stateside went to Ellsworth College and got his Criminal Justice Degree and worked at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds for 2+ years until his finance’s job led them to Iowa City.

We appreciate knowing there are trained emergency crew members on site in Alexander. As a member of Latham Seeds’ Research Team for the past six years, Dave plays an important role in planting, maintaining and harvesting plots across our six-state marketing territory. He also processes soybean results and provides information that’s vital in selecting products for the Latham® product lineup.

Dave is an inspiration to others in the workplace and in his community. Hats off to people like Dave, who work everyday to keep rural communities safe!

We’d love to shine a spotlight on volunteer emergency crews in your local communities, as well as on those from rural areas who serve in the U.S. military. Feel free to call our office or send an email to MarketingTeam@LathamSeeds.com.

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Rural communities are the backbone of our country. Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds recognizes and appreciates the many boots our employees, dealers and customers wear to keep rural America healthy. Help us serve those who serve us by nominating someone in your life to feature on https://www.lathamseeds.com and social media channels.

Webspec Admin

April 2, 2018

Agriculture, Industry News
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Delaney Howell Makes News on “Market to Market”

Just three years ago Delaney Howell of Columbus Junction, Iowa, was attending Northwest Missouri State University and working as a summer intern on the Market to Market program at Iowa Public Television. On Feb. 16, 2018, she became the fourth host – and the first female host – in the 40-year history of this popular television program that airs weekly nationwide.

“I grew up watching Market to Market,” says Delaney in an Iowa Public Television interview posted on YouTube. Her parents raised their three kids on a diversified row crop and livestock farm where they raised everything from corn and soybeans to cattle, pigs, goats and chickens. “My dad would turn on [Market to Market] every Friday night. It was like church—you didn’t miss it. And if you wanted to watch, you could watch, otherwise leave the room or be quiet.”

It’s such an honor to report the news that affects people’s livelihoods, adds Howell. “I’m the first female host, and the youngest by far, but I’m so excited to embrace the role and connect the older generations and younger generations to come. We are at a pivotal point in agriculture, and I’m excited to be at the forefront of it all!”

Mike Pearson & Delaney are the founders of the Ag News Daily Podcast. They just celebrated the company’s one year anniversary.

She’s not just on the forefront of television news. Delaney is taking agricultural communications into unchartered territory. Her business, AgCulture Media LLC, specializes in video production for technologically savvy agricultural companies. She freelances for This Week in Agribusiness and Agri-Pulse. She also hosts a radio program on Your Ag Network. In addition, she and Mike Pearson recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of their Ag News Daily (AND) podcast of which Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is a proud sponsor. You can follow @agnewsdaily on social media.

“Mike and I started kicking around the idea of starting a business in October of 2016, but it wasn’t until I attended Commodity Classic in March of 2017 that we really had a concrete idea of what we wanted to do. It was there that Rob Sharkey from the Shark Farmer podcast said, “Hey, why don’t you guys start a podcast?” It was like a lightbulb went on and like a week later, we launched our daily podcast. We have styled it to be a supplement to the news or markets that you hear on the radio.”

“Mike and I like to make news about agriculture fun!” adds Delaney. “We try to mix up each day’s interviews to give all people involved in the industry something interesting, relevant, and timely to listen to. But we aren’t experts in everything, so we appreciate people’s ideas, comments, and suggestions!”

Delaney pictured with the Columbus FFA Chapter at National FFA Convention.

Involvement in the FFA fueled Delaney’s passions for agriculture, communications and international travel. She joined the FFA in middle school and says her advisor, Katie McWhirter (who was Ms. Lewis at the time), was an inspiration to all her students.

“She challenged us which is why I think I fell in love with agriculture all over again. I loved her so much as a teacher that I thought I wanted to be the next Katie McWhirter, but after I attended college for a few years and studied abroad, I realized teaching wasn’t my true passion,” explains Delaney, who took a 10-day tour of Japan through the FFA’s 2014 International Collegiate Agricultural Leadership program. “I ‘checked off’ 16 countries on my world map and realized how important agriculture is across the globe. I decided to switch my major to agricultural sciences with minors in broadcasting and international studies.”

Both of Delaney’s parents have college degrees. Her mom also has her MBA, so Delaney grew up with a desire to continually learn and grow. In addition to working full time, Delaney is working on a master’s degree in agricultural communications from Texas Tech. She is a student member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) organization. She also is a member of the Iowa Cattleman’s Association and was one of just 28 members selected as part of the 2017 Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP).

Delaney grew up helping her father with their cattle operation and showing cattle through FFA.

“I have so much love and adoration for the people who grow and raise our food,” says Delaney. “Growing up on a farm taught me so much about hard work, dedication to the land, and ultimately through the eyes of my dad, I was able to see why so many people choose to live the rural lifestyle. During the summers, I spent SO much time with my dad. I loved just being outside with him. I have many memories of being right by his side, holding his hand while we were checking cattle. He was always the first to comfort me and to also give me tough love.

Delaney’s mom instilled within her a love of delicious foods by teaching her how to bake and cook at a young age. That’s why today Delaney is sharing her pumpkin bread recipe, which was selected to advance from the county level to the Iowa State Fair where she earned a blue ribbon.

“I LOVE pumpkin bread! The smell of this bread baking reminds me of football and the fall season, which is my favorite time of year. I’m also that girl who loves everything pumpkin spice.”

Like Delaney, fall is my favorite time of year. I also adore pumpkin spice. Why not bake homemade pumpkin bread this weekend? There’s no rule that says something like delicious shouldn’t be enjoyed in the spring!

Team Latham

March 30, 2018

Agriculture, General, Industry News
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Pig Farmers Help Feed the World and Their Community

Farming is a tradition many young farmers learn from generations before them. For the Schmitt family, their passion for giving back is another learned tradition.

Greg and Alicia Schmitt are young pig farmers from Nora Springs in northern Iowa. The couple met in high school over shared love of livestock at the county fair. After leaving North Iowa to pursue degrees in agriculture at Iowa State University, it was a career in livestock production that enabled them to move back home after college.

Growing up, Greg helped his father on their hog operation. It was no surprise those early lessons propelled Greg into an opportunity of his own partnering with a local farmer to repair a set of hog barns and go into business finishing pigs. The Schmitt’s are proud of the high quality pork they provide and enjoy any opportunity to share a plate of smoked pork loin with friends.

With their business underway and a growing family, the Schmitt’s found themselves wondering how they could pay forward all the blessings they’d received. The answer arrived during a block party hosted by one of their neighbors when a friend encouraged Greg to consider joining the Nora Springs Fire Department. As fate would have it, Greg decided to drop by the fire station about a month later and it just happened to be the night they were interviewing for new positions.

While pig farming was a tradition Greg learned from his father, Alicia is proud of her family history in fire and rescue. Her step-father Rod is both a farmer and a firefighter. He served as chief of the Colwell, IA fire department for a number of years. Her sister Kelby is also completing fire training. Alicia enjoys her role in the Nora Springs Fire Wives group organizing fundraisers for the fire company and coordinating outreach events.

Whether it’s high-quality pork or volunteering, for the Schmitt family it’s about serving people. The exciting thing is that Alicia and Greg aren’t alone in their passion for serving community. A large percentage of rural volunteer fire companies are comprised of local farmers. “The schedule works out well, says Greg, “I spend most of my days at the farm caring for pigs. The flexible hours allow me to respond to fire calls during hours when those who work office-related jobs aren’t able to be on call.”

While I pray I never have to make “that call”, a big thank you Greg and Alicia for giving of your time to keep our community safe.

Gary Geske

March 27, 2018

Agriculture, Industry News