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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Phil Long Puts His Passions for Teaching, Technology and Research to Work

One of Phil Long’s favorite spots has been a tractor seat. When he was growing up in Jenera, Ohio, he would ride beside his dad in the tractor or combine.

Restoring tractors has been one of his favorite pastimes ever since Phil restored a John Deere B as an FFA project. He served as president of the Cory-Rawson FFA plus earned the Ohio and American FFA Degrees. In addition, Phil was a 10-year 4-H member.

Phil’s involvement in 4-H and FFA greatly influenced his career path. Upon graduating from high school, he enrolled at Ohio State Agriculture Technical Institute (ATI) and worked on the ATI farm.

“My interest in precision ag started at ATI. I worked a lot with precision ag on the equipment with ROI with swatch control on sprayers, auto steer and auto guidance,” says Phil. “My boss would let me move the globes around from combine to tractor. He also had students get in the cab with me, so I could teach them how to run the equipment.”

After attending the ATI for two years, Phil transferred to Purdue University where he was involved with Agronomy Club and crops judging team. He also taught the crops judging team for two years. His interest in crops and soils piqued his interest in research and prompted him to pursue a master’s degree in soybean production.

“In grad school, I got to do quite a lot of work with reflectance tool called the Crop Circle. I ran the crop sensor a lot. You see them put on sprayers now to adjust nitrogen rates on the go. In simplest terms, it shows how much photosynthesis is going on and how much nitrogen it needs. It’s kind of like an ‘on the go’ tissue test as you drive through the field. It was interesting to get to experiment.”

“There aren’t many people who get a project as good as I did with my thesis,” adds Phil, who got the opportunity to work with Dr. Shaun Casteel on his research project. “I got to look at soybean lines that most people don’t ever get to see. We were working with cultivars from the 1920s. We were studying 80- and 90-year-old cultivars to see how they have changed and observed how nutrients moved throughout the plant.”

Also while he was in grad school, Phil shared an office with a doctorate student in wheat breeding. The two graduate students got along famously, so Phil took a job with Purdue Extension to remain close to Shaylyn while she finished her PhD. Upon graduation, Shaylyn was offered a job as a corn breeder in Iowa. The couple had always planned to move to Iowa, but they never planned for it happen just two months after their wedding. Phil then took a job working with a precision agriculture software company prior to joining the Latham Team.

“I ran every precision program in that position. I worked with every monitor because we installed things in cab and weather stations. I learned so much in a short time,” he says.

“What intrigues me the most about precision agriculture is that we can focus on specific areas of a field and manage the field with a level of accuracy that was never before possible,” adds Phil, who joined Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds in February 2017 as a precision agronomy advisor. He and Kilah Watson have been broadcasting a weekly “Ask the Agronomist” video series since November 2017. I’m proud to be part of a team that helps reduce risk for our customers, save them time and make them money.”

Phil says he really enjoys working for a family-owned company and being part of a team. He feels blessed to find a job he enjoys that is so close to his wife’s home farm. He and Shaylyn farm 80 acres on their own. Phil also helps his father-in-law farm. He custom seeds soybeans and cover crops, as well.

In their free time, Phil and Shaylyn enjoy being outdoors fishing or hunting. Their Black Labrador Retriever is named Rivie (pronounced Riv-ee). She enjoys going pheasant hunting with them.

“Shaylyn is an outstanding shot. I’m not as good as she is, but I enjoy it,” says Phil. “We also really enjoy kayaking. I love beautiful water so much that I proposed to my wife on a kayaking trip.”

Phil and Shaylyn also enjoy cooking together. Today they’re sharing with us one of their favorite recipes.

Shannon Latham

August 21, 2020

Pork, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Darin Chapman Helps Farmers Move Their Data Forward

Some people embrace change while others do their best to avoid it. Like Socrates, Northwest Iowa native Darin Chapman chooses to focus his energy on creating something new.

A third-generation farmer, Darin is passionate about technology and continually looks for ways to improve his farming operation. He has the ideal background and interests to serve as a Precision Agronomy Advisor with Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds.

Darin farms near Spencer with his brother, Tim, who is a local ag lender. Five seasons ago they purchased a planter to test variable rates of Latham® brand corn and soybeans, as well as conduct side-by-side comparisons of different product numbers. Their on-farm research has increased over time. It also has helped shaped the development and evolution of Latham Seeds’ Data Forward^SM service.

“The more on-farm research we do with my multi-hybrid variable rate planter, the more we learn about product placement of Latham brand hybrids and varieties in my region,” says Darin. “I cannot stress enough the importance of on farm research on your farm.”

“Phil Long and I are conducting two different studies on one of my farms this year with four of our new excellent performing hybrids. The farm we are performing the study on is one single soil type across the entire field, so it is perfect for research,” adds Darin. “We have four different population zones for each hybrid: 32,000; 34,000; 36,000 and 40,000. This will give us great insight on performance of each hybrid with best performance per planting population. We are also doing a fungicide application study across each hybrid. We sprayed the north half of the field to monitor how each hybrid responds to fungicide treatment.”

Analyzing yield to understand optimal seeding rate for each hybrid on your fields is one benefit of Latham’s Data Forward service. Other benefits include data organization and trial results.

Latham Seeds in February 2020 introduced a Data Forward application to help farmers see more profit. Our precision agronomy advisors, including Darin and Phil Long, begin by conducting a data quality analysis. Then they clean and organize each layer of data before sharing results and providing recommendations.

“When I first started working with the Data Forward program in May, I was impressed with its capabilities,” says Evan Hansen, who has worked with three precision management platforms both on his home farm and during his summer internships. “Compared to other applications the Data Forward app is extremely functional and is only getting better. I have enjoyed talking with customers about how Latham can continue to help their operations prosper. Working with Phil (Long) and Darin (Chapman) has been awesome. I have gained a wealth of knowledge this summer from the team at Latham.”

One reason Darin is so passionate about using technology to improve profitability and sustainability is because he and his wife Sarah have three sons. Zander is almost 10 years old and enjoys being with his friends as much as possible playing sports and PlayStation or riding bikes around the neighborhood. Ledger is 6 years old. He enjoys his spending time with friends and pets, as well as working on the farm. Mason is almost 2 years old. He likes watching Elmo, playing with his brothers, and being outside.

Being outside and on the farm is where Darin wants to be, too.

“I have always found on-farm research interesting” says Darin. “What I enjoy most about my current position as Precision Agronomy Advisor is that I get to work with farmers across Latham Country who want to make the most of the data they gather each year and put it to work to make their operation as efficient as possible. This gives me great gratification.”

Outside of farming, Darin enjoys taking his kids fishing and getting together with friends and their families for cookouts. He and Sarah both enjoy cooking. Today they are sharing one of their family’s favorite recipes.

Shannon Latham

August 14, 2020

Food & Family, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Evan Hansen Completes Summer Internship with Latham Seeds

With a 98 percent placement rate, Iowa State University’s Ag Career Fair it’s just as important that a company make a positive impression on a candidate as it is for the candidate to make a good first impression. Evan Hansen of Spencer in Northwest Iowa sought out Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ booth because his family planted Latham® seeds.

“My interest in Latham Seeds started three years ago when we first planted Latham on our farm. We have increased our use of Latham® seed,” says Evan. “I spoke with Laura (Cunningham) and Kilah (Watson) at the Iowa State College of Ag and Life Sciences career fair and was excited to hear that Latham was planning to release its own data management platform, Data Forward^SM. I have had the opportunity to work with three other management applications in my past summers and was excited to have the chance to see something new. After an enjoyable interview process and learning more about the family-owned company, I knew it was the place for me to spend my summer.”

This summer has presented its challenges due to the pandemic, but Evan says he has thoroughly enjoyed his internship.

“When I first started working with the Data Forward program in May, I was impressed with its capabilities,” says Evan. “I have enjoyed talking with growers about how Latham can continue to help their operations prosper. Working with Phil (Long) and Darin (Chapman) has been awesome. I have gained a wealth of knowledge from the team at Latham and always felt like I could reach out with questions. This team was welcoming and gave me, as a young person in ag, an excellent summer internship.”

Evan is heading back to Ames for his fourth and final year of studies. He plans to graduate in May 2021 with a double major in Agronomy and Animal Science.

“I knew I wanted to pursue a career that would allow me to help producers improve their operations. This, along with my desire to work hands-on, led me to a degree in Agronomy,” says Evan. “The addition of my Animal Science major is a product of many factors. As our cow-calf herd grew, we needed pasture management, cover crops, corn stover, corn silage, and hay. I developed a greater desire for knowledge on livestock production as our home beef operation grew.”

Evan grew up on his family’s row crop and cattle farm in Northwest Iowa. His father, Curt, farms fulltime with help from Evan’s uncle. Evan’s mom, Julie, is an elementary educator. She’s starting to help more on the farm now that Evan’s grandparents are not as actively involved. Evan’s oldest sister, Jordan, graduated from The University of Iowa and is pursuing a graduate degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs at The Ohio State University. Evan’s younger sister, Kaylee, will be a senior at Spencer High School. His brother, Ethan, is starting eighth grade this fall.

“As I have grown, my roles have progressed from riding in the buddy seat to giving rides as we move between farms to eventually operating in separate fields from my dad. I spend time processing cows and calves, and I do the artificial insemination for our cattle,” says Evan, who showed cattle through 4-H and desires to raise Angus cattle after he graduates from Iowa State.

This year will be another busy one for Evan as he is a member of FarmHouse Fraternity where he has served on the Executive Committee as Assistant Alumni Director and as New Member Educator. He has participated in the Polar Bear Plunge, which supports Special Olympics. He also takes parts in various other Homecoming and Greek Week activities. In addition, he has been a waiter at Gamma Phi Beta sorority.

“What stands out about my time at Iowa State are the connections I have made. I am confident that I have met individuals whom I will work with for years to come. In addition, I have enjoyed bringing the knowledge I gained home to see it applied in the real world,” says Evan. “Iowa State has challenged me to think about doing things differently on not only my home farm, but also in the operations of growers I have had the opportunity to meet through my internships. Through this, I have seen that thoughtful change often brings growth.”

We certainly wish Evan in the future! With students heading back into the classrooms, it’s a reminder to us that fall harvest also is just around the corner. Today Evan is sharing with us one of his favorite harvest meals.

Shannon Latham

August 7, 2020

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

Amy Rohe Leads Latham’s Sales Team to New Heights

Whether she’s helping plan a Virtual Latham® Dealer Kickoff or planning a road trip to visit dealers across the Upper Midwest, Amy Rohe (pronounced ROY) 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 the main reasons she was promoted to sales manager at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds. She joined our company in March 2010 as assistant sales manager.

Amy’s biggest piece of advice to people pursuing careers in agriculture is, “Find a career that will enable you to do what you love. Do it and do it well. Always be coachable because you can learn something new every day.”

“Be coachable” is the Rohe family mantra. Amy and her husband, Bryan, are the proud parents of three very active boys ages 14, 13 and 8. Their summers are spent riding horses and competing in baseball through 3T’s All Star Sports Academy.

“Our boys have fallen in love with the game of baseball,” says Amy. “They are part of a wonderful program that teaches them the value of hard work and sportsmanship. They also learn to trust the process. There is so much to learn from the game of baseball both on and off the field. One lesson that is so relevant to many other things in life is that it takes a team to win. We can have a few superstars that make big plays, but we need to play as a team. We need to pick each other up on those off days, communicate, show up and give it our all to accomplish team goals. Teams that put team goals ahead of individual goals have a winning record.”

Latham’s Sales Team has experienced 15 consecutive years of growth.

“We have an amazing team at Latham,” says Amy. “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. We embrace our diverse backgrounds. We listen and learn from each other. This make us stronger. There is nothing better than knowing you are making a difference!

“Building a strong team, working together to reach our goals, tackling our stretch goals head on, and finding opportunities – all while having fun – is what we do best. This is more than a job; it’s how we live our lives and how we do business.”

Amy adds, “The one thing about this company that has been very evident since the day I started is that our leadership not only talks the talk but walks the walk. We try to always do the right thing. Faith and family come first. We show up and work hard. We work together as a team to overcome whatever comes our way and then we celebrate our successes!”

People make a world of difference, adds Amy. “Our leadership has set the vision and lives it daily. We have a team that thinks outside the box and embraces new ideas. We are innovative while keeping true to our traditions, such as hospitality and the spirit of farmer helping farmer. We also focus on personal development for our team members.

“I am thankful to be surrounded by a team that fosters an environment of growing individuals. I have learned so much over the past 10 years. I have been encouraged to push myself to learn new things while understanding that I am a wife, mother, daughter, and friend,” says Amy. “A work/life balance isn’t something that just happens. It is intentional and can work if you have the right team to support you.”

In the spirit of teamwork and baseball, today Amy is sharing with us one of her family’s favorite recipes for pulled chicken. Pair it with fresh sweet corn and watermelon for an easy fix on a busy summer day or night.

Shannon Latham

July 24, 2020

Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Stockwell Joins Latham Seeds as RSM for Northwest Iowa
When the cicadas sing and the crickets chirp, Tyler Stockwell and his family pack up the camper and enjoy spending the weekend at their favorite campgrounds. They’re making memories swimming, playing outdoor games and enjoying time with friends.

Tyler and his wife, Rachel, are the proud parents of three children. Their eight-year-old daughter, Aleya (pronounced A-lee-a), is interested in swimming and dancing. Their three-year-old twins, Brielle and Brant, are developing their own interests. Brielle enjoys playing with dolls and coloring. Brant likes playing with fire trucks because he likes to be like his dad.

Tyler began serving on the Laurens Fire Department in 2009 as a junior fireman.

“My father has been on the Laurens department for nearly 20 years, and he’s now the safety officer,” says Tyler, who served on the Laurens Fire Department for six years. He joined the Emmetsburg department in 2016 and remains an active firefighter. “Dad gave me the opportunity to start serving when I was just 16. I enjoy being a care giver to people in times of crisis.”

In addition, Tyler is active in his church and remains involved with his family’s farming operation. He was raised on an Iowa Century Farm northwest of Laurens. He’s still active in the operation, which includes corn and soybeans, 40 head of cow-calf pairs plus a feeder-to-finish hog confinement. Tyler also runs a 5,000 head wean-to-finish site.

“My grandfather was a huge role model,” says Tyler. “I grew up doing cattle chores and going to the coffee shop with him. He then passed down the operation to my parents. We have continued to implement new strategies to achieve higher yields than we have ever seen in the past.”

After majoring in Ag Technology with a minor in Ag Sales from Iowa Central Community College, Tyler took a job with a local cooperative. He has worked as an agronomist in the cooperative system for the past five years where sold seed, fertilizer and plant protection products. Most recently, he managed a team of agronomists.

“What I enjoy most about selling seed is helping growers make the right choice for their acres,” says Tyler. “I also enjoy watching the team I work with succeed while building relationships. I’m looking forward to leading the sales team in Northwest Iowa, meeting the awesome Latham® dealers we have in the area and bringing new dealers onboard. Latham Seeds has a great portfolio of products for our area, which is one of the reasons I wanted to join this family-owned company.”

A new seed selling year is underway. The 2021 Latham Seed Guide is hot off the presses, and Tyler is busy making calls to farmers in Northwest Iowa.

Tyler & Rachel

In his free time, Tyler enjoys golfing and hunting. He and Rachel also play on a couples bowling league in the winter. Today they’re sharing with us one of their family’s favorite camping meals. We hope you savor the best of summer, too!

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Shannon Latham

July 17, 2020

Pork, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

You Are Made for This!
Latham® Dealers from across the Upper Midwest gather each July to kick off a new sales year. Months ago – long before the COVID-19 pandemic altered our lives – our team selected “Made for This” as the theme for our 2020-2021 sales year. Now this theme is more fitting than ever.

Farming takes grit. Farmers across Latham Country overcome many challenges each year. Markets are uncertain, and weather is always unpredictable. Although we have faced even more challenges since March 15, 2020, we continue to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps because that’s what those of in agriculture do!

We feel called to live our legacies. It’s a passion that drives us to get up early and work late to get the job done. After all, we are MADE FOR THIS.

Those of us in agriculture are resilient. We innovate and adapt to change. For the Latham Team, adapting to change meant we had to take our annual Latham Dealer Kickoff online this week rather than meeting in beautiful Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as we had originally planned.

A small group of Team Latham members gathered in Ames, Iowa, to produce a virtual Kickoff meeting. Why Ames? Ames is centrally located between our Alexander headquarters and our team members who live in Des Moines. Ames also has beautiful rental facilities and, most importantly, it offers reliable internet service. Plus, Iowa State alumni like John and me welcome the opportunity to return to their alma mater. This beautiful community also offers a wonderful farmer’s market. (Click here for a related blog post about one of the vendors and a recipe for cucumber brine.)

Cornbred is known for award-winning barbecue, but it’s side dishes are also delicious. Kilah recommends the brisket mac & cheese!

Each July I look forward to writing a recap of Kickoff that posts on our blog, sharing presentation highlights and local points of interest. One highlight of our time in Ames this week was a visit to Cornbred Barbecue where you can dine on the beautiful outdoor patio or inside the beautifully restored train depot. I also stopped outside my old dorm to admire a few of the Christian Petersen sculptures. If anyone has time for a road trip to Ames this summer, be sure to stop by Reiman Gardens where the “Wild and Whimsical” exhibit will be open through Oct. 4.

Here are links to Kickoff blog posts from the past three years:
- Prairie Meadows Racetrack in Altoona, Iowa with a recipe for Crumb-Crusted Top Sirloin and Roasted Garlic Potatoes with Bourbon Sauce.
- Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota with a recipe for Honey Lavender Cheesecake Bites.
- Branson, Missouri with links to several southern recipes.
Today I’m linking to a recipe for Fresh Strawberry Moscow Mule like the one I enjoyed at Cornbred Barbecue. We’re also sharing with you one of our family’s favorite recipes for BBQ pulled pork sandwiches. This “fix it and forget it recipe” is one that I make in the summer when we’re busy working outside. I hope you and your family enjoy it, too!

Special thanks to the Iowa Food & Family Project for granting us permission to reprint this recipe, which was shared with them by Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Julie Kenney.
Shannon Latham

July 10, 2020

Pork, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

12 Recipes to Help Get You Fired Up for July
In times of uncertainty and unrest, it’s human nature to look for stability and comfort. That’s why, now more than ever, it’s important to celebrate holiday traditions. Not even a worldwide pandemic can take away our freedom to celebrate our nation’s independence with family and friends – from a safe social distance, of course.

Summer isn’t cancelled. Make the best of it! Photo credit to Jessica Wood.

Americans are learning to adapt festivities and create new events. Fourth of July activities in Clear Lake typically attract 100,000 to this quaint North Iowa community during five days of activities, including a carnival and one of Iowa’s grandest parades. This year’s massive fireworks display over Clear Lake has been cancelled, but the community is joining forces with nearby Mason City to offer a patriotic pyrotechnic celebration on July 3. A Fourth of July boat parade is being held in lieu of a typical parade.

Even if you must pivot – which seems to be the latest buzzword used during the COVID-19 pandemic – we hope you can take some time this weekend to celebrate. At Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we believe it is a privilege and a great honor to live and work in the U.S.A.

The Latham Team takes great pride in researching seed products and selected those that are bred to perform best in specific geographic areas. We are as committed to helping farmers today as my husband’s grandfather, Willard Latham, was when he founded Latham Seeds in 1947. Our business can only succeed if our farmer-customer succeeds.

This holiday weekend – and all month long – we will pay tribute to America’s beef, pork, poultry, dairy, fruit and vegetable and producers. Special thanks to Gretta Irwin, executive director and home economist at the Iowa Turkey Federation, for sharing with us one of her favorite recipes.

Our heart goes out and our prayers go up for all livestock and poultry producers as all sectors of U.S. agriculture have felt the pandemic pinch when the food chain broke. Half of all turkey is eaten in sandwiches, so turkey farmers were greatly affected when demand for product decreased significantly from Subway® and Jimmy John’s®. However, turkey farms were not included in pandemic relief funding programs.

“Due to deceased quick service restaurant purchases, we have a surplus of turkey,” says Irwin, who adds that promotions like the one Fareway launched on July 1 are so important to encourage consumers to enjoy fresh turkey. “Fire up the grill and help Iowa turkey farmers.”

July is both National Grilling Month and National Ice Cream Month. Following is a recipe roundup to help you celebrate, too:
Shannon Latham

July 3, 2020

Beef, Pork, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

All Roads Lead Home for the Geskes

Back row: Kevin, Rorke and daughter Kayla Murphy and Sandy Geske
Front row: Son David, Gary, son Kyle, Averie, Katie and Carson Geske

It’s ironic how two people can grow up just five miles apart in rural North Dakota, yet never really cross paths for nearly two decades. But that’s exactly what happened to Gary Geske and his wife, Sandy. Today – as they have for the past 30 years – the Geskes live only a few miles from where both of their families farmed outside Enderlin, about 40 miles west of the Minnesota border just off Highway 46.

“All roads lead to home” as the saying goes. It’s no wonder that Gary’s career path has revolved around the farm. As a junior in high school, Gary bought a half section of ground from his great aunts and started farming. He continued to farm upon graduation and even worked his college schedule around the farming seasons.

“I enjoyed tearing motors and equipment apart to see how they work. Some of it even got put back together,” Gary says with a warm smile and a twinkle in his eye. His passion for motors led him to enroll in the Diesel Mechanics program at North Dakota State College in Wahpeton. He ran an engine rebuilding business out of the family’s farm shop, and he also was active in drag racing for six years.

Over the years, the Geske operation grew. Four families were involved at one time: Gary’s parents, Robert and Arlene; Gary and Sandy; Gary’s brother Bobby and his wife, Beth; Gary’s sister, Sherrie, and her husband, Darby Holub.

Gary left the family farming operation in 1990 to become a district sales manager for Keltgen Seed. He enjoyed working for the independent, family-owned company that was a real industry leader at the time. In 1995, Dow bought Mycogen and began merging companies. That was when Gary decided to pursue an opportunity at a machinery dealership.

After two years at the machinery dealership, Gary decided to return to the seed business with REA Hybrids of Aberdeen where his duties included managing the research plots and scoring hybrids. This research and production experience was valuable as Gary and Dan Lund started Quality Seed Genetics in 2001. Sandy handled most of the office duties, including newsletters and mailings, general bookkeeping and dealer communications. A few years later QSG started other profit centers like seed treating equipment, and Gary made the decision in 2009 to concentrate on the seed treater business.

After a two-year hiatus from the seed industry, Gary was ready to join the Latham team in 2011.

“Sandy and I had a chance to meet some of the Latham management team before I joined the company, and it was very evident then that the company revolves around teamwork,” says Gary. “I was impressed by the company’s access to the industry’s best genetics and technologies. I’m glad to now be part of the Product Development Team that helps move our product lineup forward. It’s so much fun meeting with Latham® dealers and helping them select the best products for their farmer customers.”

Whether it’s meeting with farmers to select the best hybrids for their operation or choosing hops for some homemade brew, Gary is sure to have a good time! He and Sandy value time spent with friends and family, including their three children: Kyle, Kayla and David.

David Geske & his fiancee Coty

Kyle farms with his uncle Bobby Geske on the home farm. Kyle’s wife, Katie, is a registered nurse at Sanford Hospital in Fargo. Kyle and Katie are the proud parents of 6½ year-old Averie and four-year-old Carson. David sells and services seed treating equipment, and his fiancée, Coty, is a CNA. The Geske’s daughter, Kayla, is employed at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota. Her husband, Kevin Murphy, is an assistant football coach at Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM). This week they welcomed their second son, Thomas Johnathan. They also are the proud parents of Rorke, who is 2½ years old.

Time spent with family and friends usually goes hand-in-hand with good meals. Today the Geskes are sharing some of their family’s favorite “quick and easy” meals.

SPECIAL SAUCE

Ingredients:

½ cup mayonnaise

2 T. French dressing

4 tsp. sweet pickle relish

1 T. finely minced onion

1 tsp. white vinegar

1 tsp. sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

Directions:

Combine and ingredients, stir well and spread on top of grilled burgers. Makes about ¾ cup.

COOK’S TIP: For added flavor, mix and chill several hours or overnight.

Shannon Latham

June 26, 2020

General, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Some of Life’s Best Lessons are Learned from “Home Work”
Growing up in a small foothill community outside the San Joaquin Valley in California, Debbie Barkela raised purebred Simmental Cattle. She showed market lambs and barrows, as well as horses. She also served as an officer for her FFA chapter and for sectionals, plus was a member of the FFA livestock judging team. It was all good training ground to become an agricultural instructor and FFA advisor. She has taught agriculture since August 2010 in the Belmond-Klemme Community School.

“I’ve always wanted to be involved in agriculture,” explains Debbie. “After serving on the American Junior Simmental board of trustees, I really found that I enjoyed being around kids, especially those who had an interest in agriculture.”

Upon graduating from high school, Debbie packed her bags and headed for the Midwest.

“I was able to visit several colleges while participating at AJSA (American Junior Simmental Association) Junior Nationals and met several professors,” she says. “I fell in love with the campus and felt like Iowa State was a perfect fit for me. I also had some nudging from family friends, AJSA members who were from Iowa and were ISU alums.”

While attending Iowa State University (ISU), Debbie met Chad Barkela. The couple was married May 29, 1999, and have three sons. Brady graduated from West Fork High School in 2020. Briley will be a sophomore at Belmond-Klemme and Blake will be an eighth grader this fall. Their boys raise and show market lambs and hogs. Briley also has a few ewes that he lambs and a few sows that he farrows out with the help of his brothers. The boys also spend time preparing and showing their horses throughout the year.

“Some of the most important parts of showing animals at the fair is the work that is done at home. It helps build confidence and an understanding of what needs to be done,” says Debbie. “We also need to remember that in the end everyone must have fun! No matter how competitive you are, the social part of showing livestock is important. The friends and extended family that you gain will be with you for a lifetime.”

Belmond-Klemme FFA Chapter

Whether they’re trying a new CDE (career development event) or applying for a proficiency award, Mrs. Barkela says she enjoys seeing students set goals and work to achieve them.

“My goal is to make sure every student gets a good understanding of what agriculture is and how important agriculture is to our daily lives,” says Mrs. Barkela, who was named the 2018 Star District Advisor for the North Central District.

Natalee Dippel became the first Belmond-Klemme member in 30 years to receive the American Degree, which is the highest honor in FFA. Natalee is also the first female from B-K to receive this award.

When Mrs. Barkela began teaching at Belmond-Klemme, B-K FFA had not had an Iowa Degree recipient in more than 25 years. Natalee Dippel in 2020 became the first female from B-K FFA to receive the highest honor in FFA, and she is the B-K chapter’s first American Degree recipient in more than 30 years. Eight B-K FFA members also earned their Iowa degrees in 2020.

The B-K FFA Chapter is very active in helping its community. Each year it hosts a district-wide food drive during which approximately 2,500 items are donated to the local food pantry. This year the chapter also collected food items for boxes for families in our communities. Thanks to Iowa Select Farms, the B-K FFA was able to include pork loins for families in need. Chapter members delivered boxes to families in Belmond, Klemme, Rowan and Goodell.

Belmond-Klemme FFA members also help annually with the community garden. Due to the school closing so rapidly and unexpectedly during the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s garden has required more community cooperation. Chapter Vice President Emma Carlson put a great plan in place and rallied community members to help start seeds for the garden. Chapter President Kaleb Carlson built a blessing box in which produce will be placed, and families in need can help themselves.

In addition to these projects, the B-K FFA has taken on new project with Growing Hope Globally. Almost 20 acres of corn was planted this spring. Money raised from this crop will be used to help educate farmers in a developing country. This project, in particular, is a way for students who don’t live on a farm to participate in a crop-growing SAE project.

“More than half our members don’t live on farms, and I wish more students realized this. One misconception is that to be successful in ag class or FFA you need to be from a farm. This is far from the truth! Our CDE’s and LDE’s (leadership development contests) help all students gain skills that will be useful regardless of what career path they take. FFA members learn everything from how to correctly run a meeting to how to select the perfect steak for supper. We all can use skills like those!”

In celebration of all the fresh vegetables growing in the Belmond Community Garden, today the B-K FFA is sharing with us a recipe for marinated vegetable salad. It’s also a great recipe for home gardeners or consumers who enjoy shopping at the farmers’ market.

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Shannon Latham

June 12, 2020

Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Help Keep School Pantry Stocked this Summer
Mohawk Market couldn’t serve youth if it wasn’t for amazing volunteers. Renae shops for groceries and supplies, as well as helps pack boxes. She puts in countless hours to help make it happen.

That face.

One sweet little kindergarten girl’s face prompted Sasha Holstand and Tara Truex in May 2019 to start the Mohawk Market, so Roosevelt Elementary students would get the nutrition they needed. Today this unique food pantry, which is independently run by teachers and community volunteers, has expanded throughout the Mason City Community School District. It’s now serving 100 families that have been deemed food insecure.

“You must meet children’s basic needs before their educational needs. With COVID-19, we opened our pantry doors to all students of the district,” says Truex, a special education teacher at Roosevelt. “We have decided to keep our pantry running throughout the summer. We seek food that children can prepare for themselves.”

Mohawk Market shelves are packed with cereal, applesauce, crackers, granola bars, fruit snacks, soup, canned meals, canned and frozen vegetables, canned chicken and tuna, boxed meals, pasta, pasta sauce, popcorn, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, snacks, and bananas.

Volunteers assemble weekly to box up the staples for pickup or delivery to local families. Some families do not have transportation. Other parents must work when the pantry is open. To remove barriers for families to get the food they need, the Mohawk Market offers pick-up times and has started a delivery service.

Truex would like to thank these volunteers for stepping in where they’re needed: Becky Buffington, Larry Collins, Valarie Wollner, Sheila Lang, Emily Younke, Jill Hobart, Penny Dahl, and Lisa Hugi, Britney Roe, and Renae Bergman. Iowa State University Extension in Cerro Gordo County also has started volunteering with their staff.

“We’ve been blessed to have the support of so many people. When Sasha and I pitched our idea to our principal, he was instantly onboard. He spoke with the administration and it was determined that we would have to do this through a third party to stay transparent with finances,” says Truex.

“Renae Bergman, a teacher at Lincoln Intermediate, reached out to Grace Church in Mason City. Grace Church opened an account for us. Then we began fundraising, grant writing and making this mission come to life. United Way and First Citizens Bank were instrumental in helping with startup costs for Mohawk Market,” adds Truex.

ISU Extension staff since April have been delivering food boxes to families in need throughout the Mason City Community School District (MC CSD).

The COVID-19 pandemic has created more demand for food pantries, and many shelves have stayed empty across the nation. Fortunately, North Iowans are coming together and supporting their own.

Rather than selling at the local farmer’s market, Lucas Ashland of Clear Lake decided to donate fresh vegetables this summer to the Mohawk Market. When the pandemic caused musicians to pull the plug on live performances, members of Betty and the Gents began uplifting people in their community with live Facebook concerts on Friday nights.

May 22 marked the 10^th performance of “Live from the Quarantine: Tom and Betty’s Pajama Party.” Tom and Betsy Kirby, who are teachers with Mason City Schools, donate 100% of their virtual tips via Venmo and PayPal to Mohawk Market.

If you’re interested in helping spread the Mohawk Market mission, you can:
- Like and share the Mohawk Market page on Facebook;
- Click here for a list of foods that may be purchased at Target and delivered to Roosevelt Elementary. This Mohawk Market Charity Registry also is available on target.com; or
- Make a financial donations online here: https://pushpay.com/g/gracemc.
“Our donors may only see the boxes of food they donate to help children. With each and every box, however, we see a child. We see the face of a child we know and love, and that sweet face is grateful for your support!” says Truex. “The difference you’re making in that child’s life is immeasurable. We are so thankful for your support!”

Check out Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s website page – Spend Smart. Eat Smart. – for recipes for budget-friendly and kid-friendly recipes. Special thanks to ISU Extension for allowing us to print one of its recipes today. Enjoy!
Shannon Latham

June 5, 2020

Food & Family, Recipes