Family ties, rewarding experiences and the people. These are the three reasons Allison Bastian chose to pursue a career in agriculture.

Ever since Allison Bastian was a little girl, raising her own pigs was her ultimate dream. Allison grew up on a farm just west of New Ulm, Minnesota, where her family raises finisher pigs and has a corn and soybean row crop operation.

The Bastian Family was named the 2015 Nicollet County Farm Family of the Year.

One unique aspect is the Bastian family remains an independent hog producer. They market their own hogs instead of contracting with a pork production company.

Allison began helping on the farm at a young age and loved being outside with the animals.

“From day one I was really involved on the farm. I used to beg Dad to let me go outside and see the new pigs being unloaded at our farm,” she said. “I wanted to be involved. Even if it just holding a gate while they loaded out the pigs, I was happy to do it.”

As Allison grew older, her responsibilities grew. She started her own sow herd to raise her own pigs for market. This began through her showing career in 4-H.

“I loved showing pigs because it showed me how rewarding the livestock industry can be,” said Allison, who began showing pigs in fourth grade through 4-H. “Hard work really does pay off and it kept me motivated.”

Allison showed a couple breeding gilts every year. When the show season concluded, she bred them and marketed the pigs. Raising these pigs was one of her favorite memories growing up on the farm.

“I remember when one of my first breeding gilts named Pearl was going to have her pigs. Before we left for church one Sunday, I snuck out to the barn and found Pearl having her babies. That was a really cool moment!  I got to see my work truly come full circle.”

In addition to showing hogs, Allison was very involved in FFA. She serves as president of the New Ulm FFA Chapter during her senior year. She enjoyed participating in FFA speaking competitions, too. She competed in creed speaking, prepared public speaking and extemporaneous speaking. She competed at the state level in both creed speaking and prepared speech.

When it came time to make her college decision, there was no doubt in Allison’s mind that she was going to study agriculture. A senior at Iowa State University in Agricultural Business, Allison serves as president of the ISU National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) and as secretary of the Agricultural Business Club.

Allison has also had ag experience abroad. She took a trip to Japan and China in Summer 2016 to study pork production. She will be studying abroad again this fall in Ecuador.

After graduating in December, Allison will pursue a career in Ag Finance. She did three internships in this sector with AgStar Financial, Farm Credit Services of America, and AgriBank FCB. She plans to accept a job in her hometown area, so she can remain involved on the family farm.

“Our family roots run really deep on our farm and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else,” says Allison, who is building her own contract finisher building just down the road from her home farm. “I want to raise my family just as I was raised, on a pig farm.”

Through this process, Allison has learned valuable lessons she wants to pass on to other women in agriculture.

“Don’t get discouraged,” she advises. “Sometimes people in the industry won’t take you seriously because of your gender, but you can’t let that get to you. Keep persevering because it is what you love to do and that is what is important!”

Allison also believes it’s important to find mentors in agriculture. She met her mentor through the Agricultural Business Club.

“Find someone that is living your goals and reach out to them. If they did it then they can help you reach your goals!”

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Without strong women to help shape and manage our company, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds would be a very different company than it is today. We understand the key roles women play in everything from purchasing seed to marketing grain, from public relations and event planning to sales and customer service. That’s why we’re celebrating women who are doing what they love. From now through November, we’re showcasing women in agriculture by telling their #RootsinBoots stories. Follow along and be inspired by Women in Ag across Latham Country!

We’re looking for women, ages 18 to 108, who have a passion for agriculture and are willing to share their farm stories. Simply post photos of yourself on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtags #RootsinBoots #LathamSeeds and #WomeninAg. Let your personality and work ethic show. We want to see what a “day in the life” of you is like!

Because each woman in agriculture is unique, everyone who submits a photo of herself either working in the field or working with livestock will be entered to win a $500 shopping spree at Western Edge LTD. There’s no limit to the number of entries, so increase your chances by posting across platforms via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Go to https://www.lathamseeds.com/rootsinboots/ or click here for more information.

Laura Cunningham was elected in July as the chair of the Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmers Advisory Board.  As chair, she will participate in Iowa Farm Bureau Board meetings, lobby on behalf of young farmers and help shape agriculture-related policies.

“Growing up on the family farm, gender never mattered when it came to caring for animals and raising crops. There was a job to do and first idle hands were those for the job. The same holds true today on the farm my husband and I manage.” Laura grew up on a grain and livestock farm in North Central Iowa. She earned the American FFA degree with her beef Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) in 2008, and co-owns SkyView Farms with her husband, Aaron. They raise row crops and high-quality Angus beef, which they market locally.

Earlier this month Laura attended her first board meeting where she and the executive assistant were the only women at the table.

“I hope my role as Young Farmer Chair can inspire both women and young farmers to want to lead and make their voices heard and to embrace opportunities in agriculture regardless of who typically fills that role,” adds Laura.

Embracing the opportunity is how Laura got to where she is today.

After joining the Floyd County Farm Bureau and participating in Ag Leaders’ Training she knew she wanted to be more involved.

“When I become involved in something I am determined to make an impact.”

She and Aaron became IFBF regional committee chairs, representing Iowa’s North Central district. Throughout the year, they plan events to educate young farmers in their area and to create comradery amongst their peers.

Laura plays a large role in Skyview Farms managing finances and input supply purchasing. She provides primary care for the cows and calves in their beef herd and is responsible for marketing their locally-raised beef directly to consumers. Last weekend Skyview Farms was featured on the Floyd County Farm to Fork dinner menu, which served 80 people.

Laura serves as marketing manager for Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds and recently celebrated her 10^th work anniversary with the company.

Laura’s advice to women in agriculture is “Working in industry and attending leadership trainings I find sometimes women down-play their roles on the farm. Women play a crucial role on the farm! Know your worth, seize every opportunity to be involved and share your story as it’s only yours to tell.”

—

Without strong women to help shape and manage our company, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds would be a very different company than it is today. We understand the key roles women play in everything from purchasing seed to marketing grain, from public relations and event planning to sales and customer service. That’s why we’re celebrating women who are doing what they love. From now through November, we’re showcasing women in agriculture by telling their #RootsinBoots stories. Follow along and be inspired by Women in Ag across Latham Country!

We’re looking for women, ages 18 to 108, who have a passion for agriculture and are willing to share their farm stories. Simply post photos of yourself on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtags #RootsinBoots #LathamSeeds and #WomeninAg. Let your personality and work ethic show. We want to see what a “day in the life” of you is like!

Because each woman in agriculture is unique, everyone who submits a photo of herself either working in the field or working with livestock will be entered to win a $500 shopping spree at Western Edge LTD. There’s no limit to the number of entries, so increase your chances by posting across platforms via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Go to https://www.lathamseeds.com/rootsinboots/ or click here for more information.

We couldn’t have asked for a better day to celebrate Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ 70th year anniversary than the day we had on Friday, Sept. 15. Thanks to everyone who showed up on the Latham family’s Century Farm for the last stop on our Seed-2-Soil® Plot Tour! It was our pleasure showing Latham® Dealers, growers and customers alike the many technology options we can offer as an independent seed company.

Seed and technology experts were stationed at different stops throughout the field to discuss Latham’s product lineup and services offering. Featured soybean and corn products were picked to showcase various technologies, ranging from Liberty Link and Roundup Ready 2 Xtend Soybeans to VT2 PRO and SmartStax corn hybrids. We specifically discussed the new technology release of Agrisure® Duracade, while showcasing future technologies like Enlist® Soybeans. Plots also were planted to show experiential varieties, as well as to roll out Latham’s new cover crop lineup.

As technologies develop and seed products evolve, Latham Seeds remains committed to our mission: Helping Upper Midwest farmers feed and fuel the world by providing valuable customer experiences and innovative products backed by hometown service. We pride ourselves in providing cutting edge seed industry technologies through a diverse lineup suited to fit specific needs on a field-by-field basis.

Mike Pearson, host of Market to Market and co-host of Ag News Daily, shared a glimpse of where agriculture was headed in the future. He addressed the volatility in commodity markets in recent years but is encouraged by changes in demand from foreign countries. As a result of the middle class growing worldwide, the demand for protein also will grow. The demand for corn and soybean exports is expected to rise.

“We couldn’t ask for a better time, place or industry to be involved in,” said Pearson.

Pearson is in good company with that statement. We’re proud to be part of the agricultural industry and feel fortunate to have the opportunity to celebrate this 70-year milestone. We look forward to sharing more hallmark experiences with our employees, dealers, growers and customers. Thanks for joining us, growing with us and helping make Latham Seeds the company it is today!

Some girls grow up playing with Barbie dolls that cruise around the California coastline in Porsche convertibles or Ford Mustangs. Callie Arneson literally grew up in the milk truck with visions of lush green pastures and rolling Wisconsin pastures with dreams of marrying a man, who shares her passion for farming.

“As long as I can remember, I have always had an influence of milk hauling and farming,” says Callie, who has run her own milk route for the past five years. “My dad would take me along in the milk truck with him quite often from the time I was a little baby. I always had so much fun riding with him in the milk truck, so that’s one of the main reasons I wanted to start hauling milk as soon as I could.”

Callie said she’s always had a love for cows and would go into the barn and see as many calves as she could while her dad collected the milk. “The ‘cool’ farmers let me feed a calf or let me ride in the tractor with them,” she said.

Her passion for milking cows and feeding calves was fueled during Callie’s sophomore year in high school when she spent nearly an entire summer on one of her best friend’s family-owned dairy farm. During her senior year of high school, she obtained a CDL (commercial driver’s license) and a bulk sampler’s license the week she turned 18. She’s been an integral part of the trucking company her grandpa and his brother started after returning from the Korean War.

Like Callie, her father was brought up in Arneson Trucking. At age 12, he was washing milk trucks at the plant and learning how to repair them. Once he was old enough to drive, he parked a milk truck outside the high school. That way he was to work as soon as school dismissed for the day.

“Hauling milk is more than a job to me,” explains Callie. “I really enjoy talking to the farmers every day. Many of the families on our route have become like members of our own family. I’ve grown up with them, so many customers have been at my birthday parties. We get invited to their kids’ graduation parties and weddings. Oftentimes they send us home extra food from one of their get togethers or holiday celebrations.”

They say you won’t work a day in your life if you enjoy what you’re doing. It’s obvious Callie enjoys what she does because she didn’t mention the number of hours she worked until I asked her to help give me an idea of what it’s like to walk in her boots. Here’s what Callie’s typical day is like:

5:45 AM

Help James Amera start milking. (Click here to learn more about this sixth-generation dairyman.)

6:30 AM

Start the milk route. I pick up the four farms on my route by 9:45 AM and then head to the dairy. When I get to the dairy, they will unload the milk and then wash the inside of my truck.

1 to 3 PM

The time I get home depends on the day. One dairy I haul to is close to home but another dairy is two hours away. After I’m done with my milk route, I usually do some farm-related work. I might bed down calves, feed animals, work on bookwork or help with fieldwork before beginning evening milking.

5:15 PM

I milk about four nights a week by myself. The other nights I help by switching groups and scraping the barn. I feed calves every night and every other morning. Calves are my specialty, so I focus on the calf care and feeding. If I see that a calf is sick or not acting as she normally would, I see that she gets the care she needs.

My favorite part of dairying are the animals. I have my “friends” that I make sure get scratched. Some of them nudge me if I’m not giving them attention. I love milking so much because I look forward to seeing the cows. Jerseys have such an attitude. They have mind of their own and are my favorites in the barn.

“My advice to girls interested in an agricultural career is that it’ll get tough. But it’s worth it in the end to be proud of what you do and what you have accomplished,” says Callie. “Some people will tear you down, so look to the people who build you up. My dad and mom deserve a shout-out for always being there to cheer me on. I don’t know what I would do without them!”

—

Without strong women to help shape and manage our company, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds would be a very different company than it is today. We understand the key roles women play in everything from purchasing seed to marketing grain, from public relations and event planning to sales and customer service. That’s why we’re celebrating women who are doing what they love. From now through November, we’re showcasing women in agriculture by telling their #RootsinBoots stories. Follow along and be inspired by Women in Ag across Latham Country!

We’re looking for women, ages 18 to 108, who have a passion for agriculture and are willing to share their farm stories. Simply post photos of yourself on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtags #RootsinBoots #LathamSeeds and #WomeninAg. Let your personality and work ethic show. We want to see what a “day in the life” of you is like!

Because each woman in agriculture is unique, everyone who submits a photo of herself either working in the field or working with livestock will be entered to win a $500 shopping spree at Western Edge LTD. There’s no limit to the number of entries, so increase your chances by posting across platforms via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Go to https://www.lathamseeds.com/rootsinboots/ or click here for more information.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day? Most Americans can tell you exactly where they were standing or what they were doing when they first heard reports that an airplane had crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Less than an hour later, a second hijacked airliner crashed into the South Tower.

While many of us were questioning the safety of our homeland, thousands of men and women on active military duty sprang into action. Mindy Miller was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas.

“I was in the dorms when the planes struck. A girl who lived across the hall learned that her mom was a stewardess on one of the planes that hit the World Trade Center,” recalls the 35-year-old mother of three. “We were on lockdown. We had to leave all the windows closed in our dorms. We couldn’t use our cell phones.”

When America is at risk, our military is called into action.

“None of us where sure where we would be called to, and many of our duties changed,” explains Miller. “One of my roommates was planning to move to Germany and had shipped her belongings there. Because of the skill set she had, however, she was sent to a different country. It took another two to three months before her belongings arrived at her new base. You just went were you were called.”

As a medic who was trained to save lives with very few resources available, Miller stayed in Texas. Later she was transferred to a military hospital in Tucson, Arizona, where she held more of a managerial position. Her new duties required her to clear people for deployment. It was her job to make sure soldiers were physically and mentally fit to serve.

“I feel like I played such a small role compared to my friends and colleagues who were deployed time and again,” says Miller. “But, I feel privileged that I was able to serve.”

“Basic training isn’t easy,” adds Miller. “It’s not easy being that young and being so far away from home. Your squadron becomes your family, and you learn to watch out for one another. The military instills values. You develop a new love for country. You come to love your fellow airmen. I have so much respect for the men and women in uniform.”

There’s so much pride and honor that goes into wearing a uniform, whether you’re a firefighter, a police officer or a member of the U.S. military. You’re representing your country, your unit and yourself. Uniforms must be crisp. Caps must be straight. Shoes must be polished.

“Every time I hear the national anthem, I get tears in my eyes. The words to a patriotic country song playing on the radio can give me goosebumps because patriotism was so ingrained,” says Miller. “The national anthem is so deeply touching. I always stand up when I hear the national anthem played because it’s a way to honor our country and pay respect to those who lost their lives protecting us.”

After five and one-half years of military service, Miller received an honorable discharge from the Air Force. She returned to the Des Moines area to pursue her dream of becoming a registered nurse.

“I enlisted the Air Force right out of high school because I had a dream of being a nurse,” explains Miller, whose grandfather had served in the Army. One of her cousins served in the Navy and another in the Marines. “My parents were very hard working, but I knew that my family didn’t have money to put me through college. I had to find a way to make my dream come true.”

As a disabled veteran returning the classroom, Miller was able to get educational assistance through Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services. She enrolled in the nursing program at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in 2006 and became a registered nurse. Shortly thereafter, she met Ryan Miller.

The couple soon married and lived in the Ankeny area for six years. They both had 8 to 5 jobs that they greatly enjoyed. Then Ryan got asked a question that changed the course of their path and prompted them to uproot their family and head north.

Ryan’s father asked if he wanted to transition into the family farming operation. To help provide additional income until the farm transition is complete, Ryan and Mindy built an egg laying facility and raise breeding stock for a local hatchery. Until this year, Mindy also had been working as a parent educator for Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency. Now she’s transitioning into a more active role on the farm.

“It was a really tough decision to leave Ankeny because there are so many activities, services and conveniences in the metro area. On the other hand, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle,” admits Mindy. “It’s been such a blessing to move to a smaller area. Although we’re on call 24 hours a day at the farm, we’re together as a family. Our kids are gaining new experiences. We’ve able to instill values, beliefs and work ethic simply by working with our kids by our side. I feel like our time together as a family is more quality time now.”

—

Without strong women to help shape and manage our company, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds would be a very different company than it is today. We understand the key roles women play in everything from purchasing seed to marketing grain, from public relations and event planning to sales and customer service. That’s why we’re celebrating women who are doing what they love. From now through November, we’re showcasing women in agriculture by telling their #RootsinBoots stories. Follow along and be inspired by Women in Ag across Latham Country!

We’re looking for women, ages 18 to 108, who have a passion for agriculture and are willing to share their farm stories. Simply post photos of yourself on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtags #RootsinBoots #LathamSeeds and #WomeninAg. Let your personality and work ethic show. We want to see what a “day in the life” of you is like!

Because each woman in agriculture is unique, everyone who submits a photo of herself either working in the field or working with livestock will be entered to win a $500 shopping spree at Western Edge LTD. There’s no limit to the number of entries, so increase your chances by posting across platforms via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Go to https://www.lathamseeds.com/rootsinboots/ or click here for more information.

The Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) began in 1973 when two reporters, who also were avid cyclists, decided to organize a non-competitive event. It has grown to become the world’s longest, largest and oldest bike touring event.

It was so much fun being one of 10,000 people who participated in the 45^th annual RAGBRAI! I joined RAGBRAI in Clear Lake where I met up with Team Must Have. The team was started by my uncle and some of his friends and has grown to consist of 30 riders. Most of us rode together last year, so it was fun to be part of their team again this year.

When I returned to the office for work after the ride it was quite a different routine than I was used to on RAGBRAI. I was wearing khaki pants and a polo, rather than my biking shorts and jersey. Instead of packing up my tent, I was packing my lunch. I also used my feet to hit the brakes instead of my hands, and experiencing a much faster commute to my end destination.

There is, however, one thing these two routines have in common. I couldn’t help but notice how much agriculture touches my life every day regardless of where I am. Most towns RAGBRAI riders passed through had an agricultural booth or display. Because I’ve been involved in this industry my whole life, I truly enjoyed seeing how my two passions of biking and agriculture merged together.

In the first town I rode into, Thornton, IA, North Iowa Cooperative had a great Ag Display to greet riders. The display featured tractors, a planter, and sprayer. They were handing out Chapstick to lure people into their display. You are probably thinking, why would Chapstick draw a crowd? Riding your bike all day in the elements of an Iowa summer, your lips get very chapped, therefore Chapstick is a must have. After receiving their complimentary gift, I saw lots of people taking pictures on or next to the farm equipment. In my short-time at the display I also heard many meaningful questions and conversations about conventional agriculture.

In addition to ag companies making an effort to showcase agriculture, 4-H clubs and FFA chapters can also be seen throughout the route. Most of the time you will find these groups in the meeting towns conducting a fundraiser for their club or chapter. This leads me to another great thing about the RAGBRAI culture, people show their support for local organizations when buying their lunch, a water to quench their thirst, or an afternoon snack. Personally, in any of the towns I will go out of my way to support the local 4-H & FFA chapters. The Lawler Lassies and Lads even set up farm- related games for riders to play. This included a hay-bale throwing contest, cow-chip throwing contest, and agriculture trivia. Many riders stopped to enjoy the games and view the animals they had on display!

Although I enjoy supporting local organizations in my ride across the state I also enjoy eating at the Farm Boys breakfast stand. This stand travels with RAGBRAI riders and is by far one of the best ways to begin your day. In fact this is a routine for my team, almost every morning you will find Team Must Have chowing down on excellent breakfast burritos. The Farm Boys Hearty Food Company is a family, farm-based operation and was started by Iowa Farmers. It also adds to the experience because each day they set up at a new farm along the route. In addition, all their ingredients come from around Iowa! If you want to try one of these tasty burritos you can also catch this stand at the Des Moines Farmers Markets on Saturday Mornings.

Another food stand that is an excellent staple of Iowa agriculture is Mr. Porkchop. You can spot this stand from miles away when you see the iconic pink bus with a pig face painted on the front. This stand was started by Paul Bernhard, a pig farmer from Bancroft, IA. This stand features a thick and juicy pork-chop served on a paper towel. While the chops are well known the owner was even more of a RAGBRAI celebrity. He had a signature rally cry of yelling “Pork chooooooop” at the top of his lungs that we would yell to attract riders to stop. Unfortunately, Bernhard passed away this past year and an entire day of the ride was dedicated to him. What a great way to honor an Iowa Pig Farmer that welcomed so many visitors to our great state!

The final staple of agriculture on RAGBRAI is simply the Iowa Landscape. Iowa was built to be a farming community. One of the first things that everyone talks about on RAGBRAI is cornfields, cornfields everywhere. In fact, a RAGBRAI t-shirt featured at the merchandise booth the year read “In a corn field, far, far away.” Additionally, you ride past so many farms along the route. These farms really make the “Iowa Nice” culture shine through by handing out free water or snacks. Some even set up a display of their prized tractors or hang up signs to welcome riders and wave from the porch!

The great thing about RAGBRAI is how it expands beyond Iowa. Riders come from all of the world to participate. As an agvocate, I am proud to see the story of agriculture being told across the state alongside such a great Iowa tradition!

Since I raved about the breakfast burritos earlier I felt it was only appropriate for me to include the Farm Boy’s recipe! Remember to thank an Iowa Farmer after enjoying this delicious breakfast!

Guest blog post by Lindsey Foss, Iowa Soybean Association and Iowa Food & Family Project

Want to show your support of Iowa farmers? You can do so by having fun with a few hundred balloons.

I’m not full of hot air, either.

Visit the “Celebrate Iowa Ag” exhibit, hosted by the Iowa Food & Family Project, at the 2017 Iowa State Fair, Aug. 10-20. The booth and display will be in the southeast atrium of the Varied Industries Building on the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.

Fairgoers will watch the exhibit take shape — literally — as balloon artists John and Johnna Perry of Kansas City’s Up, Up and Away create a farm-themed masterpiece made entirely of balloons. The work of art will take several days to complete, so be sure to check back often to see the farm-to-table connection brought to life.

In addition to the colorful balloon sculpture, there are a variety of family-friendly activities and giveaways to enjoy:

• Snag an exclusive, autographed copy of the Iowa State Fare Cookbook: chock-full of fair-inspired recipes by our friend and farmer Cristen Clark.*
• Kids and kids at heart can try their hands at the food and farming trivia wheel (every spin wins!), or enter our grand prize drawing for a shot at a $500 meat and dairy bundle, Casey’s pizza for a year or a dream garden giveaway, courtesy of Earl May Garden Center.
• Once you’ve grabbed some free swag, toss it in the Iowa Food & Family Project tote bag — the perfect companion for a busy day at the fair or your weekly grocery run.

The booth is powered by Iowa’s soybean, pork, corn, beef, dairy, egg and turkey farmers, with support from Casey’s General Stores, Earl May Nursery & Garden Center, Hy-Vee and the United Soybean Board. Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is also a great partner of the Iowa Food & Family Project, collaborating in a common goal to connect farmers and consumers to engage in meaningful conversations about modern agriculture and today’s food system.

From tote bags to temporary tattoos, we’ll have more fun than you can shake food-on-a-stick at — all while sharing the stories of Iowa’s farm families. We hope to see you at the great Iowa State Fair!

Here’s a “taste” of the great recipes to be found in the Iowa State Fare Cookbook.*

*Shannon Latham was sponsored by the Branson Convention and Visitor’s Bureau for this post, but all opinions are her own.

One of the things I enjoy most in my position in marketing for Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is visiting Midwest cities in search of unique experiences that our seed dealers and their families might enjoy while attending our annual sales meeting. Our 2017 event was recently held in The Show Me State at the Hilton Convention Center at Branson Landing.

One reason I chose Branson is because there is so much for people of all ages to see and do, from Silver Dollar City and farm-to-table dinners at the Keeter Center to championship golf courses and tournament fishing on local lakes to activities and attractions on The Strip.

In fact, there’s so much to see and do in Branson that I’ve lost track of the number of times that I’ve visited! Each time I go, I try something different. Two years ago my mom and my daughter joined me while I toured hotels and possible meeting sites, which were arranged through the Branson Chamber of Commerce. (Click here to read about our Branson culinary adventure.)

Any experienced meeting planner will tell you the first step in planning a great meeting is contacting the local chamber. I’ve worked with many chambers during my 20-year marketing career, and I can honestly say the Branson CVB tops my list of favorites. Everyone I’ve ever worked with is professional, hospitable and focused on making a meeting planner’s job as easy as possible.

When I asked to visit the Hilton Convention Center after I was already in Branson, the Branson CVB made it happen – with a smile. Hilton’s group sales manager also was gracious and made me feel like she would really enjoy working with me. My CVB contact pointed out all the things to see and do in Branson Landing that were within walking distance of this hotel. In the end, I selected the Hilton Convention Center  even though it wasn’t on my radar when I arrived in Branson.

Branson Landing was the most wonderful place to host our meetings! From the first of the year through the Fourth of July, we published a series of related newsletter articles and sent a series of e-mails to Latham® Seed Dealers that included: Top 10 list of Branson shows; Top 10 Branson attractions; and five unique experiences to have at Branson Landing.

One of the unique experiences we enjoyed at Branson Landing was Moonshine tasting. Smith Creek Moonshine is like the Baskin-Robbins of margaritas! You can choose from 13 unique flavors , including Strawberry Shortcake and Hillbilly Frappuccino.

For added enjoyment, Latham Seeds chartered a bus to take our guests from the hotel to Silver Dollar City. This 1800s theme park that encompasses 100 acres with 12 stages, 30 rides and attractions, 12 restaurants and 60 shops. There also are 100 resident craftsmen that demonstrate everything from furniture making and baking to carving and cutting glass. Again, there was something to appeal to people of all ages and interests!

Many of our families enjoyed the Harlem Globetrotters, and several ladies enjoyed a culinary demonstration inside the Midwest Living® Culinary and Crafts School at Silver Dollar City. Despite that temperatures neared 100 degrees plus the heat index, our guests enjoyed their day at Silver Dollar City. I’d like to give a special shout-out to our SDC group coordinator who worked with us. He provided a schedule of activities with maps in advance, as well as suggested meal and unlimited beverage tickets. He provided amazing customer service for two years as we’ve worked to plan this event.

Everyone with whom our marketing team worked to plan our Branson meeting provided exemplary customer service. We hosted a sales meeting in 2010 in Branson, and you can bet that we’ll be back again!

Related Blogs:

• Get a Taste of Southern Hospitality
• “The Covered Dish” Shares Simply Delicious Recipes
• “Mis en Plus” is Key to Entertaining with Ease

*Shannon Latham was sponsored by the Branson Convention and Visitor’s Bureau for this post, but all opinions are her own.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Phil Wellnitz has been living that mantra since he was knee-high to a dairy cow.

“One day when I was 10 years old, I was milking with my 16-year-old brother. He was complaining about having to haul milk using the old Surge buckets. I told Dad that I would do it instead,” says Phil, who is one of 11 kids raised on a dairy farm east of Janesville, Wisconsin. “I was so short at that time I had to set the bucket on my knee and then pour it into the strainer, but I was determined. From that day on, I was responsible for hauling milk.”

With a desire to constantly improve efficiencies, at the age 17, Phil bought a fifth milk bucket.

“Dad ran three buckets and I ran two. We carried pails until I graduated and then Dad put in the pipeline,” recalls Phil. “Two weeks after I graduated high school, I needed a way to make some money. I got a job for another dairy farmer. I would milk Dad’s cows early and then head over to milk 80 cows by Sharon. Then I’d do the same thing each evening.”

After working at both dairies for three years, Phil asked his parents if there would be an opportunity for him to take over the family dairy. The answer was no. Instead of getting bitter or angry as some folks might do, Phil channeled his energy into pursuing Plan B. Within two weeks, he was milking on halves with another farmer by Milton.

“I knew I was working toward my goal, but I couldn’t stay there long,” says Phil. “Fortunately, Bob Craves was a field man for Beatrice Foods at that time. One February morning Bob walked into the barn where I was working and said, “You got a couple minutes? I have a farm to show you.”

“I got in Bob’s truck and we drove to this farm, and I couldn’t believe it,” adds Phil. “You’ve never seen such a mess! There was a fence all around the yard because sheep were brought in during the summer to keep the weeds down. Manure was piled everywhere. Two Saint Bernard dogs met us at the door of the house. No one was living here at the time, and those dogs had the run of the place.”

Fueled by hopes and dreams, 22-year-old Phil met in March 1982 with the property owner. Ann Renly graciously offered to let Phil buy the farm on contract, and he soon got to work on getting the farm in working order.

As they often do in rural areas, friends and neighbors pitched in to lighten the workload. Many people showed up to help the young dairyman clean up the farmstead. One of those who lent a helping hand was Patti, who grew up on a hog and tobacco farm two miles down the road.

Phil and Patti were married in November 1983, and they’ve made their home here for the past 34 years. The house, which was built in 1911 by Ann Renly’s grandfather, has been completely remodeled and additions were made to make room for the Wellnitz’s seven children.

“I always said that I was never going to marry a farmer,” said Patti, “but I married a good one. I couldn’t be happier with the place we have to raise my children. Our kids learned early on to work hard and to be team players. Although they had to work hard, they also have a lot of fun. There was often a game of kick ball or softball in the front yard after breakfast.”

Two of the Wellnitz’s sons work full-time on the dairy. Both milk twice daily. James, 20, feed cows and helps Patti with the morning calf chores while Phil, and his 27-year-old son named Phil, milk cows. James and his brother Phil take turns mowing, chopping and raking hay. Their father Phil does all the planting and combining. Patti fills in where needed from milking cows to raking hay and feeding young stock.

Summer months are especially busy for Patti as she runs the dairy trailer for the Rock County Dairy Promotion Council. Upcoming events include Rock County 4-H fair, July 24-30, and Thresheree over Labor Day weekend. She sells dairy products at several small-town summer celebrations, as well as June Dairy Days promotions and on-farm events.

“Everyone is involved to some degree with our operation,” says the older Phil. “When our kids come home, the first place they go into the parlor and start helping.”

Phil and Patti’s oldest son, Matthew, lives just two miles away. He’s a full-time electrician, so his skills often come in handy.

Their second oldest son, Dan, lives on the second farm Phil bought on contract. Heifers and dry cows are kept there, so Dan takes care of them in addition to owning and operating a construction business.

The Wellnitz’s daughter, Samantha, lives with her husband and their son in Evansville. She works in Madison and visits the farm about once a week, so her one-year-old son gets plenty of time to “farm” in the sandbox and see the cows. She’s expecting her second child in August.

Daughter April, 25, had worked at the daycare at Orfordville and currently nannies for Samantha and Dan’s kids. She also milks nights at least three times per week.

Twenty-three-old Molly is a dental assistant.

The proud parents of seven, Phil and Patti named their dairy “Seven’ll Do.” All of their children enjoy working together as their schedules permit and gathering together as often as possible. When they all come home, you can bet the table will be filled with fabulous foods featuring dairy products. Today Patti shares with us two of her go-to recipes for family get togethers.