The sun is peaking over the horizon in Winterset, Iowa, on a clear summer morning. Dew sticks to the green grass as a girl takes her show calf out of the barn for its daily walk. The morning air is cool. There is a stillness in the countryside. Most people haven’t yet gotten out of bed, but Jessica Faust was up before dawn to prepare for another day on her family’s row crop, beef and hog farm.

Jessica is the fourth generation to grow up on her family’s southwest Iowa farm. When she graduated from high school, however, she never imagined she would pursue a career in agriculture. “I always thought I’d be an accountant or a teacher because I never really knew about the opportunities outside of farming,” said Jessica. After playing soccer for one year and being on the dance team for two years at Iowa Central College, she still didn’t know what she wanted to do. She finally decided to continue her education at Iowa State University, majoring in Genetics. Her adventure at Iowa State has been a winding one, but she eventually found her true calling in Animal Science specializing in Genetics and Beef Science.

During New Initiate meeting with the Block and Bridle Club, Jessica recalls hearing successful seniors stand up and tell the room of freshmen and transfer students that someday they could be executive team members with a handful of glamorous internship experiences. Jessica doubted those statements. Looking back, she says she wishes she would stepped outside her comfort zone earlier.

“Doing things I never thought I would do made me realize how much my negative thoughts had been holding me back,” says Jessica. “I was my own worst enemy!”

She applied her work ethic, borne from her childhood on the farm, to involvement in campus clubs.

“I don’t talk a lot if I don’t know you, so getting involved was a great way for me to be able to connect with people,” says Jessica. “I never thought I’d even apply for an officer position, let alone get positions in two clubs.” Jessica is serving as the secretary of the Delta chapter of Sigma Alpha professional agriculture sorority and as Block and Bridle treasurer.

After graduating from ISU in December 2016, Jessica plans to pursue a career in cattle reproduction while building up capital to start her own beef and row crop operation. As she’s making decisions about her future, she’s taking her own advice. She’s not going to be afraid to apply for jobs for which she doesn’t fit every requirement. And she’s not going to let the fact that she’s a young female stop her from accomplishing her goals.

Women in agriculture have a lot of hurdles to overcome and prove their capability. At a previous internship, Jessica had to prove her competence in driving cattle in order for her male colleagues to feel comfortable with having a female drive cattle. By the end of her internship, she had convinced her employers not only of her competence with handling cattle, but also her talent. “I grew up with two sisters. Gender, size or strength was never an excuse on our farm,” said Jessica. “Dad needed help, and at the end of the day, the work needed to get done one way or another.”

“There’s a long way to go for women in agriculture to get rid of that stereotype,” says Jessica. “At the same time, it makes me proud to be a female. I’m proud of who I am and how I was raised. And I’m excited about my future as a FarmHer!”

Find more inspiring #RootsinBoots stories below:

• Women in Ag: Tracing Amy Rohe’s #RootsinBoots
• Women in Ag: Tracing Kilah Hemesath’s #RootsinBoots
• Women in Ag: Tracing Jenna Braun’s #RootsinBoots
• Women in Ag: Tracing Ali Luety’s #RootsinBoots

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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’ll be showcasing women in agriculture by telling their #RootsinBoots stories. Follow along and be inspired by FarmHers across Iowa!

Even if you’re not the parent of school-age children, it’s in your best interest to know what’s being taught in the classroom. In fact, your livelihood could depend on it!

Last week an article I read in the Huffington Post go me to thinking about what our kids are given the opportunity to learn. This article complained that students were being exposed to the benefit of GMO crops. The author, a food safety activist, doesn’t believe anything about GMOs can be good. She makes the argument that GMOs information looks good because all the information is supplied by the big corporations that profit from GMOs! According to her, schools present one-sided information.

Being very involved with programs such as Ag in the Classroom, I admit that farmers are trying to get accurate information to our kids. I’m a big proponent of declaring our independence from food fights, but…

One reason farmers are proactively seeking opportunities to get into classrooms is because our schools are being inundated with misinformation from groups that are critical of modern farming! From my personal observations, anti-farming groups like the Human Society of the United States (HSUS) are supplying lots of material to our youngest students. The last couple of years I’ve been invited to share my farming experience with sixth grade students in the Mason City schools to balance the information gleaned from the book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, as a text book. There is so much bad information in this book that it should classified as fiction!

We form opinions as we grow up, and sometimes we form different opinions based on our experiences. This is a good thing and we should celebrate our differences. The mix of people coming in to this country has been a big part of what has made the U.S.A. a great country, which reminds me of a great conversation I recently had with a friend who lives in New York City. Four years ago, I met Mike because he’s the news chief for a major news network and was making arrangements for Japanese broadcasters to visit my North Iowa farm.

Mike and I were talking about immigration and education. In particular, we were talking about how the U.S. school system blends all kids together and treats them the same. They have to meet the same standards, but kids are diverse. Should someone from the middle of New York City meet the same standards as someone from a remote Alaska village? Will a child have the same up bringing and the same experience from rural Geneva, Iowa, as he or she has in Hollywood California?

We should let kids excel no matter where they come from, and excellence is what we should expect. Let’s not hold back a child who can do amazing things. Let’s not make these high achievers meet standards that are set too low! Local school boards need the flexibility to matchup with their local standards.

Education can be a very complex issue, but let’s step up to the plate. Let’s get our kids started right. Let’s give them the background to base their future on. Don’t let vocal radical groups have undue influence… Be involved. Know what your local schools are teaching!

by Kilah Hemesath, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds Marketing Coordinator

Agriculture has a special way of holding on to the people who have worked in this industry. This #RootsinBoots story is one of the many reasons why 16.8 million Americans are employed by the American agriculture industry and other related industries.

Ali Luety of Clinton, Wisc., has chosen to remain the agricultural community upon graduation. She grew up in rural South Central Wisconsin where her family currently raises row crops and registered Angus cattle. She followed in her older siblings’ footsteps by showing pigs and cattle in 4-H and the Wisconsin Show Pig Association jackpot series.

One of Ali’s favorite memories is the time she won her first county fair pig show with a barrow named “Bubba,” which her family had raised themselves. This early success sparked her interest in the livestock industry, and led her to double major in Public Relations and Agriculture & Society at Iowa State University.

Although she was raised on a farm and ultimately enrolled in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS), Ali’s career path was filled with a few twists and turns. Ali’s heart was set on becoming a physician’s assistant. Upon graduating from high school, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She soon realized that was not the right path for her.

“The first two weeks as a Badger were quite a wakeup call,” said Ali. “I had always lived in this little bubble where I was surrounded by others who thought like me and understood the importance of agriculture.”

After taking a journalism class her freshman year, she fell in love with the world of strategic communications and writing. Ali soon realized she wanted a program that incorporated both communications and agriculture, so she packed her bags and made the tough decision to transfer to Iowa State as a sophomore. She never looked back.

Ali took advantage of her fresh start and jumped into extracurricular activities. She became involved in the Block & Bridle Club, Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow, “CALS Connections” publication, and Sigma Kappa sorority.

The amazing opportunities that College of Agriculture and Life Sciences students have outside of the classroom are as helpful as they are bountiful. “Truthfully, the clubs that I’ve been involved in have taught me more than I could ever learn in a classroom,” said Ali.

After graduating in May 2017, Ali would like to find a job that allows her to combine her talents for photography and writing about the agriculture industry. She is also considering attending graduate school to eventually pursue her Ph.D. and teach at the collegiate level. Her path to her future career is sure to be just as winding as it has been in the past, but Ali knows that wherever she ends up, agriculture will be the capstone piece in her story.

“I could write a book about all the opportunities agriculture has to offer. The agriculture industry is bursting with entrepreneurial companies that are very exciting, such as FarmHer, the organization I’m working for this summer,” says Ali. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get paid to visit women on their farms, plan events for young women in agriculture and write about what I love.”

Agriculture has a place for anyone with a passion and the drive to make meaningful contributions to the industry. Ali wrote a poem that explains the opportunities and roles “FarmHers” have in agriculture. Be sure to watch the video below!

https://youtu.be/EfNlSPz6zj4

Find more inspiring #RootsinBoots stories below:

• Women in Ag: Tracing Amy Rohe’s #RootsinBoots
• Women in Ag: Tracing Kilah Hemesath’s #RootsinBoots
• Women in Ag: Tracing Jenna Braun’s Roots in Boots

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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’ll be showcasing women in agriculture by telling their #RootsinBoots stories. Follow along and be inspired by FarmHers across Iowa!

Enter the #RootsinBoots Photo Contest during Fall Harvest!

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is teaming up with FarmHer to update the image of women in agriculture! 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 #FarmHer. 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.

To be eligible to win, visit this registration page: https://www.lathamseeds.com/rootsinboots/

Photos must be posted between Sept. 15 and Nov.21. Be sure to use all three hashtags mentioned above.

As many as three women also will win a photo shoot with Marji Guyler-Alaniz of FarmHer and may be asked to appear in Latham Seeds’ new print/digital advertising campaign. Those chosen must be comfortable representing a third generation, family owned and independently operated seed company.

Direct any questions to @LathamSeeds on Facebook, Twitter (@LathamSeeds) or Instagram (@LathamSeeds).

“I’m just an old pig farmer!”

When people ask about what I do, or whenever I’m starting a speech, this is how I describe myself. I do call myself an old pig farmer, but then go on to explain just what that entails! My wife, Janice, and many other people get upset about this description because they think it sounds derogatory.  Yet, as a farmer, this is a natural response! Most farmers are humble, down-to-earth people. We don’t like to brag.

Last week on my Facebook page I shared this cartoon, which depicts a female Century Farm owner who is being told by a young man who is telling her that she doesn’t farm right. A lot of learning can be done through books – and some information on the Internet is true. However, nothing (in my opinion) replaces experience. I’ve written before about how farming practices vary farm by farm, based on soil type, typography, climate, etc.

While I believe this cartoon makes a valid point, some folks in my newsfeed took offense that the farmer was dressed in bib overalls with a patched knee or a white t-shirt. This perception of a farmer is all too common, but it doesn’t portray how a modern farmer dresses. Admittedly, there are time when I wear bibs on the farm because they’re handy. However, I dress up when I go to town or give a presentation to a group about pig farming.

Just like my city cousins:

• I have kids and grandkids.
• I’m interested in our school systems.
• I’m concerned about how our government works – and doesn’t work!
• I go to church and serve as a church elder.
• I participate in local organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce.
• I worry about health services, including mental health. How can we make them better?
• I’m very concerned about our small towns and how to make them better.

What’s more shocking than community involvement is the reaction I get from people once they see the vast knowledge and experience most farmers have! Farmers must know:

• Computers. Technology continues to define agriculture. I deal with computers every day – and not only like the one I’m typing on now! Computers run almost everything on a farm from heating and cooling in livestock barns to GPS units, machinery and equipment. Farms are like any business in town or even your home as computers have become necessary.
• Medicine. Animals get sick just like you or your kids, do we must take care of our animals!
• Animals. We need to understand how animals act or react. Animals have a natural pecking order. We design barns to fit their instincts. If we can use their natural instincts, we can do a better job taking care of them.
• Carpentry and mechanics. Farmers are always looking ways to improve their operations and often innovate to make things better. Using tools is practically a part of our genes.
• Genetics. Just as humans today are taller and stronger than in the past, crops and livestock have evolved. Today’s crops have been bred to stand up to weather changes, fight pests and, of course, yield more. Our farms are more “sustainable” because of our knowledge of genetics!
• Mechanics. There is always something to be fixed on a farm: tractors and all the implements they pull such as combines, semis, wagons, sprayers. There is an endless list of things that farmers must take care of and maintain.

One last thing that has become “a must” for farmers to do is to defend themselves! So many people are confusing facts with fiction. Activists have done such a great job of spreading fear that people are spending money unnecessarily to purchase bottled water with the “non-GMO label!” Not only that, but there appears to be a ground swell of people calling for organic crops and conventional tillage. Crazy! GMO crops actually enable farmers to till less often, leading to improved soil health and water retention, reduced runoff, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Recently I read another Huff Post article entitled, “GMO Propaganda has no place in your child’s classroom.”  Imagine this… that editorial was written by an activist. You can bet I’ll address this topic in my next blog!

Interestingly enough, a new poll by Huffington Post shows support for GMOs raises with education level. Forty-nine percent of respondents with a college degree said they believe GMOs are generally safe, as compared with 36 percent who had completed some college and just 22 percent who completed high school or less. The poll also showed that respondents who trust scientists tend to believe GMO foods are safe. Forty-eight percent of respondents who trust scientists “a lot” think GMOs are safe, compared with 28 percent of those who trust scientists “a little” or not at all.

Yes, more “education” is needed to help those who live and work in the city understand what’s happening in the country. I’ll do my part to help tell my story. Will you?

Late summer is a busy time of the year for farmers. Not only are we getting our equipment in working order so we’re ready to roll if a field needs to be harvested early, but we’re also attending tradeshows and seed company field days. This week is a prime example as Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is hosting is annual Seed-2-Soil® Technology Showcase on Wednesday, Aug. 31, on the Latham home farm in Alexander, Iowa. It’s also the annual Farm Progress Show, which his being held Aug. 30-Sept. 1 near Boone, Iowa.

One reason I look forward to Latham’s field day on the Latham Century Farm is learn about future seed technologies.  Latham Seeds is one of a select few companies in the Midwest that has both an Enlist research plot and an Enlist production field.  We also have Balance GT soybeans to evaluate in research.  Once these products have full approval – Enlist has herbicide approval from the EPA but is awaiting Chinese approval – they will be available for purchase from Latham Seeds.
In fact, Latham Seeds’ field day is unique because it’s a one-stop shop for Xtend, LibertyLink and Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans. There are 13 new Xtend products in the 2017 Latham® product guide. NOTE: Xtend soybeans have received final approval from the European Union in the global approval process, but the low-volatile formulation of dicamba herbicide intended for Xtend soybeans has not received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Herbicide approval is expected soon, but until it’s received, these soybeans must be treated like Roundup Ready soybeans.

One of my favorite field stops at the Latham plot day is the company’s stress wheel, which demonstrates hybrids’ response to plant population. It’s interesting to see how ear placement changes, depending on plant population. This plot also includes silage hybrids. Latham Forage Product Manager Corey Catt is one of the very best corn silage and nutrition experts in the industry! He is passionate about rebuilding soils management, including the use of alfalfa and cover crops.  Corey will introduce the revolutionary HarvXtra^TM low-lignin alfalfa, which produces the very best quality hay for dairy or beef cattle.

There’s so much to see and do! What I honestly enjoy most about the Latham field day is having direct access to the people who select the company’s product lineup. I appreciate the fact that I can speak directly to John Latham, Mark Grundmeier or anyone on the Latham team – either at this event or anytime I pick up the phone and have a question. I also appreciate that Latham is an independent, family-owned business that has developed a fine reputation for offering only the highest quality products that are bred to perform best in specific geographies.

As a technology junkie, I’ll admit that I’m looking forward to a guest presentation by Latham® seed grower Phil Pitzenberger on ways he uses drones in his farming operation. He’ll share drone images that reveal problem areas he couldn’t see from the ground, and I’m guessing that by the end of his presentation, every farmer in the room will be thinking of ways he or she can put a drone to work!

Tomorrow I hope you’ll be able to visit the Latham home farm, 131 180^th Street in Alexander, Iowa!

I’m a little perplexed.

For the first time ever, the EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have adopted rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel efficiency of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. These new rules sound pretty tough. But wait… Apparently stopping “climate change” is only important unless a company can afford to buy its way out of the new rules! I know the government needs the money, but isn’t this really just extortion?

Another example of getting permits to pollute is The Des Moines Waterworks (DMWW). The waterworks is suing three Iowa counties for nitrates running off fields in these drainage districts that supply water to our state’s largest city. Ironically, nutrient levels in the Raccoon River have actually trended steady or down since the 1990s. The number of times the DMWW has operated its nitrate removal system also has declined over time, according to the Iowa Farm Bureau and other farm and agribusiness organizations. Yet the lawsuit continues.

Most likely, the lawsuit will require farmers and landowners to get federal discharge permits. Basically, the waterworks wants farmers to get a permit for their tile outlets the same way a city gets a permit to release sewage in to a river. They literally get a license to pollute! Apparently, it’s okay to pollute as long as the government collects payment.

A few years back, a program was being pushed on farmers to trade carbon credits. Essentially, polluting companies could buy what a farmer was doing help the environment such as no-till and then the company was allowed to continue to pollute!

Is it just me or does anyone else get the feeling that “climate change” is little more than a money game? If you follow me, you know I believe the climate is changing. It always has and it always will! It’s fascinating to study history and see that many deserts were once lush forests. Huge seas covered what is now dry land. Glaciers moved over the Great Plains of the Midwest before mankind could even be blamed for the change!

The big questions are: “How much of this change is caused by mankind?” and “How much can paying the government for permits or fine will actually stop climate change?”

Mankind has proven its ability to adapt. If the government would get out of the way – and stop draining free enterprise of all its cash, innovation and the ingenuity – Americans will make this world a better place! Our economy is straining under the burden of all these regulations. I seriously doubt any of these regulations will have a positive impact when they can be bypassed simply by making a payment. All it does is add unnecessary burden and cost to doing business. And that’s not good for anyone!

By Kilah Hemesath, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds Marketing Coordinator

Picture this: A pig-tailed, seven-year-old girl climbing up the combine ladder with lunch in hand to spend the day in the field riding along with her dad. There’s a special kind joy in this memory, as I later realized I was doing what I loved years ago.

I spent the next few years doing just that. I became involved in 4-H and FFA and learned there’s no frustration like the last pig slipping by me when loading hogs or the sadness of watching a 9-week old piglet struggling to stay alive. Those experiences have taught me to not stop until the job was done and to let go of things that are out of my control.

After high school, I earned a degree in Agricultural Business from Iowa State University and now work for Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds as a Marketing Coordinator. I find myself lucky to have a career in both an industry and an in a position that I am excited about. But that’s not to say I haven’t learned some tough lessons along the way.

The harsh reality of being a young woman in a male-dominated field is that many people quickly jump to the conclusion that you are under qualified, lack knowledge and can’t relate to the farmer in the field. The good news is that I have learned how to earn people’s trust, and I have the opportunity to show what I know.

I’ve found reward within the challenge of proving people wrong, which is a “must-have attitude” for women in agriculture who are just out of college. There is such large opportunity in agriculture, especially in the emerging population of women. The agriculture field is very rewarding and is filled with ample opportunities. I can’t encourage others enough to give it a shot and find their niche.

My family has always supported my interests and encouraged me along the way. My dad taught me that you need to work for what you want, and my mom taught me the need for patience and understanding that everything happens for a reason. Side note – she also taught me how to bake a killer chocolate chip cookie, apple bars and many more. 🙂 My brothers taught me countless lessons. (I like to think I taught them some things too… hah!). Plus, they have pushed me to be the best version of myself.

I am grateful for such a strong support team, especially my parents who have been irreplaceable role models for myself and my brothers. I plan to continue my #RootsinBoots throughout my life, and someday hope to provide my kids with the same inspiring experiences I had.

My best advice for any young women in agriculture is to find what grinds your gears and do that! Hang on to your passion and run with it. Never underestimate a woman in boots!

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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’ll be showcasing women in agriculture by telling their #RootsinBoots stories. Follow along and be inspired by FarmHers across Iowa!

If you’ve ever taken projects to the fair, you know it’s rare to make it past the livestock barn or exhibition hall. There’s probably a few “annual stops” that you make on the fairgrounds to see old friends or make take in a new fair attraction. That’s why the third and final session of the 2016 Soy Scholars program occurred yesterday at the Iowa State Fair to provide a different perspective to students interested in ag careers.

Four Iowa high school students were selected last spring to participate in the inaugural Soy Scholars program, sponsored by the Iowa Soybean Association and Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds. The objective of the program is to allow students to explore career paths before they graduate high school or declare a college major.

Visits in June and July to both the Iowa Soybean Association’s office and Latham’s headquarters showcased a wide-array of ag-related careers from agricultural production and marketing communications to seed sales and precision farming. During these sessions, students work directly with a mentor in their field of interest to gain hands-on experience, ask questions and make connections.

Yesterday the Soy Scholars spent time at the state fair, advocating on behalf of the Iowa Food & Family Project of which Latham Seeds is also a proud sponsor. Students worked at stations just outside the 50-ton, 14-feet tall sand sculpture that fairgoers literally watched take shape from the opening day of the fair.

After working their two-hour shift, Soy Scholars were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour by Iowa State Fair ambassador Don Greiman. Don was gracious enough to point drive us around the grounds, providing us with interesting fair facts. Did you know that polled Herefords are the only cattle breed native to Iowa? Beef breed meetings are held inside the Gammon Barn throughout the state fair.

Did you know the Iowa State Fair was the inspiration for three motion pictures plus Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Broadway musical? Midwest Living named the Iowa State Fair one of “Top 30 Things Every Midwesterner Should Experience,” and it’s the only fair listed in The New York Times best-selling travel book, “1000 Places to See before You Die.”

One of the icons at the Iowa State Fair is, of course, the Butter Cow. The butter cow consists of 600 pounds of low moisture, pure cream Iowa butter, which is reused for up to 10 years. (Click here for 25 fun facts about the butter cow.) This year the butter cow had a Star Trek companion to help the television and movie series toast its 50th year.

There’s so much ground to cover at the Iowa State Fair – so much to see and do – that it’s no wonder this event continues to attract media attention and draw record-breaking crowds. The food alone makes it worth the visit! Yesterday the Soy Scholars dined at the Iowa Turkey Federation food stand for turkey drumsticks and “Not Your Mama’s Tacos,” winner of the 2016 Iowa State Fair New Food contest.

The final stop on our fair tour was Nitro Ice Cream from Blue Sky Creamery. Not only is it super smooth, but unlike traditional ice cream that melts faster than you can eat it, Nitro Ice Cream stays firm. We put it to the test as the mercury reached 99 degrees Fahrenheit yesterday on the fairgrounds!

Although many of the notorious state fair foods can only be enjoyed once a year, you can treat yourself to Honey Lemonade all summer long. Today we’re sharing the recipe, courtesy of the Iowa Honey Producers Association. (Click here for tips on keep your honey fresh and for links to additional honey recipes.)