Ramon Kuntz’s introduction to Latham Seeds came as a young graduate of Iowa State University, when he went to work for a Latham® dealer named Gene Cole in Grafton, Iowa. Ramon started in sales, familiarized himself with Latham’s lineup and learned how the products compared to others that his boss was selling at the time.

Years later when asked if he’d be interested in taking on a Latham® dealership of his own. Ramon says he was quick to answer: “I went back to the farm and did it.”

Today, Ramon says he’s proud to be “100% Latham” for more than a decade. He’s a fourth-generation farmer in Grafton, continuing to work with his parents and one cousin. Ramon’s dad runs the combine in the fall; his mom runs the grain cart. Ramon and his wife, Sara, have two boys: Raiden and Brantly. Ramon has been thrilled to watch his boys run the tractor by themselves for the first time.

“They can run about anything,” Ramon says of his boys. “It is good to see them going solo in the tractor.”

Ramon’s loyalty to Latham Seeds stems from years of proven product performance and family-owned customer service. When he started experimenting with moving to more conventional corn, Ramon says Latham supported him with product suggestions that fit well in his family’s operation.

“Latham is a regional company that selects hybrids and varieties that fit my area,” he says. “That’s important to my business.”

Personalized service has been important to Ramon’s success, too. A self-proclaimed “old-school” farmer, Ramon says he enjoys working with an independent company with leaders who know him by name. He calls it a “charm” that larger seed brands don’t understand.

“I like working with family-owned companies where I can walk straight up to the top executives if I have a question,” Ramon says. “They’ll not only answer me, they’ll know me. That’s what I get with the Lathams.”

The Kuntzes have celebrated Grafton-area turkey farmers for decades. This is how his family makes a turkey — because, as Ramon says, “If you use an oven, you are ruining a good turkey!”

“Be coachable” is a Rohe family mantra. Amy Rohe and her husband, Bryan, apply this mindset to their roles at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds and as parents of three active sons: Tanner, Colby and Tommy. Amy is Latham’s sales manager and Bryan is the company’s dealer recruitment manager.

“We always try to remind each other to be coachable because that’s how you learn something new every day,” Amy says.

The Rohe (pronounced “Roy”) family applies much of that advice through their boys’ active involvement in baseball. The game alone teaches lessons both on and off the field. The message Amy appreciates the most is that it takes a whole team to win.

“We can have a few superstars who make big plays, but we must play as a team,” says Amy, who has worked for Latham since 2010. “Teams that put team goals ahead of individual goals usually have a winning record.”

Whether she’s managing a team of sales representatives or taking a road trip to visit Latham® dealers across the Upper Midwest, Amy approaches the task at hand with the same gusto. Her positive energy, combined with a background in sales with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Iowa State University, are two main reasons she was promoted to sales manager at Latham in 2019.

“We have team members who have many years of experience and others who are just getting into their groove, but each of us appreciates what we all have to offer,” she says. “We listen and learn from each other. This makes us stronger. There is nothing better than knowing you are making a difference.”

Amy adds, “One thing that I love about Latham is we’re innovative while staying true to our traditions, such as hospitality and the spirit of farmers helping farmers. Our leadership reminds us that faith and family come first.”

When they aren’t watching their boys play baseball, the Rohes enjoy riding horses, spending time on the water and camping — especially in the Dakotas where her father grew up and later farmed.

In the spirit of teamwork and baseball, the Rohes love easy, hearty recipes on busy summer days. This slow-cooked pulled chicken, paired with fresh sweet corn and watermelon, fits the bill.