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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Boating and Baseball Bring this Minnesota Farm Family Together

Diana Madsen grew up in a Minneapolis suburb, but the transition to small-town living was much easier than expected when she married Mike and moved into the farmhouse where his mother was raised.

Mike and Diana’s moms were childhood friends. Their parents even double dated while they were in high school. Although born and raised in the area, Diana’s parents moved away after they were married and eventually settled in Lakeville.

When Diana’s family visited Heron Lake in the summers, it was common for the two families to gather. Their families stayed in touch throughout the years, but Mike and Diana didn’t start dating until they had graduated from college.

“I’ve always enjoyed farming and that’s all I’ve ever really wanted to do,” says Mike, who started farming in 1991 with his father. “I didn’t play football because I didn’t want to miss out on harvest.”

Rural living is very different from how Diana grew up, but she feels blessed to raise her family on the Stenzel Century Farm.

“The thing I love most is that your neighbors are your friends here. Your neighbors and others in the community are always offering support in times of need,” says Diana, who said she and Mike really appreciated the community’s support during his parents’ terminal illnesses. “The other piece is that people are always looking out for your kids. It’s so nice that other people care about your kids.”

Mike and Diana are the proud parents of three. Their 20-year-old daughter, Sarah, is majoring in marketing at Winona State University. Andrew, 18, will be freshman at South Dakota State University where he’s majoring in Ag Systems Technology. Matt, 16, will be a junior at Heron Lake-Okabena High School.

The Madsen family enjoys spending their summers on the lake or in the ballpark. They’re avid Minnesota Twins fans, so they try to take in a game or two each season. They also spend many hours in the bleachers, cheering on their kids.

Because baseball is a spring sport in Minnesota schools, summer leagues in rural communities are sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) or the American Legion. Five years ago, Mike took the initiative to rekindle a summer American Legion baseball team in Heron Lake. Last month both of their sons played on the same team, which took third place at the sub-state playoffs. When their team didn’t win a berth in the state American Legion tournament, the entire family headed to the lake and enjoyed a weekend of boating.

Mike and Diana enjoy having flexible work schedules that allow them to maximize their family time. As the Associate Director of Active Aging Programs at Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota, Diana works from home four days a week. In addition to farming, Mike operates a seed dealership.

“What I enjoy most about selling seed is interacting with other farmers. It’s rewarding when people trust you enough to purchase seed from you,” says Mike. “I decided to take on a Latham® dealership because Latham Seeds is a family-owned company that offers all the seed technology options available on the market.”

Speaking of “options,” today the Madsen family shares with us two of their favorite recipes. Diana says the marinade is amazing on pork tenderloin, and Chicken Wild Rice soup is definitely a Minnesota favorite. Who else is looking forward to sitting down to a cup of Minnesota Wild Rice Soup?

Pork Marinade

½ c. Soy sauce

3 T. Sugar

3 T. Onion/garlic minced

¾ c. Sesame seeds

Great for tenderloin or chops. Marinate for 4-8 hours

Shannon Latham

August 16, 2019

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

Fourth Generation ND Farmer Has Grown His Legacy with Innovation

It’s another milestone year for Jared Hagert and his family as his great grandfather homesteaded their farm in 1909. The family hosted a party in 2009 for the community, complete with a live band and picnic, to celebrate their Century Farm.

Their family legacy dates to 1890 when 16-year-old Gust (Gus) E. Hagert immigrated from Sweden to the United States. He moved in 1905 to Section 10 in Pleasant View Township, Emerado, ND. Gus worked on his uncle Oscar Hagert’s farm with a “rent to own” arrangement. After farming for 40 years, Gus passed the family farm down to his son Curtis.

“Curtis Senior, my grandfather, was committed to improving yield. I have a Durum Wheat sample he submitted to the 1937 International Hay and Grain Expo in Chicago that took 5^th place in the World,” says Jared Hagert, who feels blessed to be the fourth generation to live on the original farmstead. “I took that germ sample more than once to Show and Tell. In fact, it’s still on display in my home office.”

Jared’s father, Curtis Junior, started farming in the mid-60s. His brother, David, came home in the mid-1970s. The two brothers farmed together for about 25 years, and then David decided to focus on growing his Agri Data business.

Using new technology to continually improve their farm is a common philosophy and interest of the Hagert family. Jared’s parents, Curtis Junior and Roberta, started a seed conditioning business in 1993.

“Dad converted a three-stanchion milk parlor, granary and cattle shed into our first seed conditioning facility. Dad raised it eight feet and installed conditioning equipment. Wheat scab struck in 1993, and Hagert Seed was one of the only entities with a gravity table that took out the scab. It paid for farmers to condition their wheat, so they could sell it at a higher price.

Innovation continued to build the business. After farming for more than 40 years and conditioning seed for more than 12 years, Curtis Junior sold Hagert Farms and Hagert Seed to Jared and his wife, Brandie. Jared, who graduated from North Dakota State University (NDSU) with a degree in Ag Systems Management also known as Ag Mech, had a vision to build Hagert Seed. With help from Curtis Junior and others, Integrated Ag Services took shape with a new warehouse, seed plant, navy bean receiving station and office.

“Our mission is to be ‘more than your local seed supplier.’ I wanted our business to provide seed with quality genetics, proven performance, and dependable service,” says Jared.

Integrated Ag Services’ conditioning facility was fully operational in January 2016. Integrated Ag began conditioning and distributing seed throughout the Midwest. This new facility is equipped with a full line of precision conditioning equipment and handles both bulk and package seed.

Although the operation has grown, it is still very much family operated. Jared’s cousin Leslie and her husband, Jon, moved home in 2013. Leslie serves as office manager for Integrated Ag. Jared and Jon farm together. They raise spring wheat, white wheat, edible beans, soybeans and corn.

“A few years ago we started planting more cover crops. Cover crops especially help reduce erosion on edible beans acres since many of those plants are out of the soil and run the whole plant through a specialty combine. We’re doing more no-till, and that has been working well.”

Seed technology has allowed them to farm acres that before couldn’t produce a crop.

“We have some dryland acres that have an especially dry, sandy profile. Normally I’d be getting a max of 40 to 50 bushels per acre on corn. With drought-tolerant hybrids, we’re getting 90 bushels per acre. New herbicide technologies also are helping increase yields. We’re looking forward to Enlist E3 soybeans.”

Jon and Leslie are instrumental in keeping the operation running when Jared travels on behalf of the United Soybean Board or attends other industry meetings. Jared served as USB chair during its 25^th anniversary year and remains on the board.

“When I first got appointed to the United Soybean Board, I was filling a seat vacated by Doug Goering who resigned to become ag commissioner,” says Jared. “I stepped into big shoes and had an accelerated learning curve. But I’m grateful for the opportunity because it really allowed me to step up.”

Jared served as the vice chair of the World Initiative for Soy and Human Health through the American Soybean Association. He also has been involved with North Dakota Soybean Council and North Dakota Soybean Growers Association. He has served the ND Soybeans Growers for one term as vice president and two terms as president.

“My dad had was a founding member of North Dakota Soybean Growers Association and was active on soybean council. Watching him serve for the greater good left an indelible impression,” says Jared.

Keeping with tradition, Jared and Brandie started making lefse like his mother and grandmother have done for years. Today the Hagert family is sharing this treasured recipe with us.

Laura Cunningham

August 9, 2019

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

Farming is Iowa’s Masterpiece!

By Kelly Visser, Iowa Soybean Association consumer engagement manager

From blue-ribbon-winning livestock to a perfectly sculpted Butter Cow to one-of-a-kind new fair foods, there’s no shortage of creativity at the Iowa State Fair! The iconic 11-day event attracts more than a million people from around the globe and is a salute to the intersection of food, farming and family in Iowa.

The 2019 Iowa Food & Family Project (Iowa FFP) display at the Iowa State Fair will showcase the artwork in agriculture and celebrate the collaboration, color and creativity of farming! More than 250,000 fairgoers are expected to visit the booth and gain perspective on modern agriculture in Iowa.

Located in the Southeast Atrium of the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, the Iowa FFP display features an interactive paint-by-numbers mural that will be brought into full color using soy-based paint.

In addition to painting the mural (there are 23,000 paint-by-number spaces!), fairgoers of all ages will have the opportunity to put a frame around farming courtesy of a farm-and food-themed photo booth and take-home coloring sheets. Visitors can also enter to win five pieces of agriculture-inspired artwork from a local photographer and artists.

As with all Iowa FFP activities, the annual Iowa State Fair display centers around giving consumers the opportunity to engage with farmers and learn about the state’s leadership in agriculture. Each touchpoint will help grow the Iowa FFP network of fans for long-term, two-way conversations on food and farming.

“More than ever before, consumers want to know where their food comes from and we as farmers love nothing more than to share our story,” says Aimee Bissell, a Bedford soybean and corn farmer. “Opportunities like the Iowa Food & Family Project exhibit allow for mutual education and information, which is essential to our farming operation and making informed food choices.”

The display will be managed by more than 400 farmer and consumer volunteers. The enthusiastic volunteer base is a testament to the vibrant network of fans engaged with Iowa FFP activities.

Each month, Iowa FFP interacts with more than 120,000 food and health-minded through social media, Fresh Pickings eNewsletter, Fresh Pickings magazine, community events and farm tours. Each consumer connection centers around building confidence in modern agriculture in a welcoming, relevant format.

Shannon Latham

August 2, 2019

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

Johnson Family of Frankfurt, SD, Earns Conservation Award

Johnson Farms recently was awarded the 2019 South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award.

Alan Johnson of Frankfort, SD, converted his operation to no-till 33 years ago, which astonished some area farmers at the time because it was against the norm. Recently, Johnson Farms was awarded the South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award for voluntary conservation efforts.

“I initially converted to no-till to save moisture. I was tired of my crop drying up, and I knew there was a better way to farm that would conserve moisture and nutrients and still raise a crop. Because I was farming by myself at the time, no-till helped save me labor,” says Alan, whose son, Brian, joined the family farming operation after graduating in 2004 from South Dakota State University with a degree in Ag Business.

The Johnsons integrated cover crops and rotate crops, including corn, soybeans, oats, wheat and barley. They’ve noticed better weed control, less soil erosion and improved soil structure. They’ve also found synergy between cover crops and cattle. Their cattle graze the mature cover crops in the fall, as well as on corn stalks after harvest. Manure gets incorporated into the fields, which enhances the symbiotic relationship between the cattle and the land.

Brian and Jamie Johnson’s four children enjoy helping on the farm and growing their herd of Angus cattle. Here their older daughters, 12-year old Ella and 10-year-old Lila are giving their 4-H speech about “The Economics of Integrating Livestock on Cropland” to those attending the family’s conservation award ceremony. Not pictured is 3-year-old Evelyn.

“Since we started planting cover crops 10 years ago, the ground has mellowed,” says Brian. “Organic matter and water infiltration have increased, which has allowed our soil to withstand the extremes of drought in 2017 and 2018 to excess water in 2019.”

Brian credits the use of cover crops for providing valuable soil nutrients and for breaking up soil compaction. He and Alan retrofitted a planter to seed the cover crop into bio strips into 20-inch rows, which better accommodates their seed blend of radishes, lentils and vetch. You can learn more about the Johnson’s bio strips, cover crops and other aspects of their farming operation in a six-part video series entitled, “Soil Health Applied.”

The Johnsons also use precision ag technology to manage their fields by zone. They apply variable rates of fertilizer and seed.

“One thing I admire about Dad is that he’s always looking for ways to improve,” says Brian. “Thirty years ago, he planted corn at 18,000 plants per acre. Now we’re averaging 37,000 in 20-inch rows, and it’s taken our yields to the next level. With improved plant genetics and soil fertility, I don’t think we’ve hit the top yields yet!”

The Johnson family continues to strive for higher yield, but they’ve already set yield records. In 2016, they topped the South Dakota Soybean Yield Contest at 81.33 bushels/acre, in the Group 0 No-Till Category.

Fall harvest is a time when the whole family helps. Alan’s wife, Mickie, and Brian’s wife, Jamie, take turns driving the combine and operating the grain cart. Jamie also has served since 2017 on the board of the South Dakota Soybean Association. In the summer, Jamie and the four children help Brian synchronize and artificially inseminate (AI) the cattle, as well as move the cattle through their rotational grazing paddocks. Grazing cattle is good for the environment because they often graze ground where crops can’t be grown. Grazing also helps stimulate the growth of grass and prevents woody shrubs from overpopulating. In addition, manure helps fertilize the pasture.

The Johnson’s conservation practices include: placing marginal crop acres into CRP; planting shelter belts; diversifying crop rotations; leaving crop residues; soil testing and applying variable-rate fertilizer; and seeding cover crops into bio strips as shown in this 2016 photo of their son, Leo.

“If we’re good to the environment and good to the soil on our operation, it’s something that we can continue for the other generations,” says Alan.

Brian’s children, who would be the fifth generation to farm this land, show an interest in growing their family’s legacy of farming and conservation.

“There’s nothing like living on a farm,” says Brian. “You see how things grow and mature. I enjoy watching crops progress through the summer. Our kids are learning the importance of doing a job correctly, and they feel a sense of purpose by helping.”

In honor of the Johnson’s conservation award, today they’re sharing with us a favorite family recipe for Whole Wheat Bread.

Shannon Latham

July 26, 2019

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

Broedlow Family is Living their Legacy in Southeastern Wisconsin

Their families owned land adjacent to one another. Their childhood homes were just one mile apart, yet Brady and Lynsey Broedlow didn’t meet until they were both out of high school. Even their first meeting is unusual for teenagers raised in a small town.

“When I was 16, I joined the Helenville (Wisconsin) Volunteer Fire Department,” says Lynsey. “My dad has been on the department since he was 18, so he ignited that desire to serve in me. Brady joined the department a few years later when he turned 18, which is where our story began.”

Brady and Lynsey met in 2011. They were married in 2016. One year later they purchased the family farm that Brady’s grandparents once operated. His grandparents milked Guernsey cows until 1999 and later raised Holstein steers. Brady is the 5th generation to live on this farm that was started in 1876 by his Great-Great Grandfather Gustave Broedlow.

“A large piece of what motivates Brady is carrying on his grandparents’ legacy,” says Lynsey. “Brady spent time helping his grandpa, but farming wasn’t what he lived and breathed every day. After his grandpa passed away in 2012, Brady wanted to carry on what his grandparent’s and what family before them had started. He wanted to make his family’s farm sustainable for the 21st century.”

During the past seven years, the Broedlow farm has been transformed. Equipment has been updated; buildings have been improved and maintained. Brady decided to switch from raising Holstein bottle calves to building a Hereford cow-calf herd. He and Lynsey calve out 20 to 25 cows each spring.

Working cattle is something the couple did together even before they were married, so Lynsey wasn’t surprised when Brady asked her to come over and help tag cattle.

“It was just a typical Tuesday in July when Brady asked me to help him put fly tags in the cows’ ears,” says Lynsey. “I started looking at the tags and noticed they were blank number tags. I proceeded to tell him he bought the wrong tags, of course. Without losing his cool, he asked me to give him the first tag. I pulled it off the plastic backing and turned it over. Then I saw, “Will You Marry Me?” written on the back of it. He got down on one knee right there in the milk house. It was a true fairy tale for a farm crazy girl like me!”

Brady and Lynsey feed out the calves they raise and sell the beef direct to consumers. The cattle are grass fed and grain finished. They raise about 95% of their cattle’s feed.

“We pour our hearts and souls into our farming operation. Good animal husbandry is at the center of our operation,” says Lynsey. “The reality is most farmers would risk their lives for their livelihood and animals. Consumers today are so far removed from the farmer that the trust between consumer and farmer is broken. As a farmer, that really hurts.”

“Like so many other producers, Brady and I love animals. We believe they should receive the best care we can give them,” adds Lynsey. “Our animals eat before we do in the morning, and we don’t go to bed at night without knowing they have dry bedding and a warm place to get in out of the harsh Wisconsin weather.”

The Broedlow’s herd is a mix of registered and commercial Herefords. They also have two Angus cows, which they breed to the Hereford bull for Black Baldy calves. Brady really likes this cross because the calves have the efficiency and gain of an Angus with the mellow disposition of a Hereford.

“Our goal is to set up our operation for success in the future,” says Lynsey. She and Brady both hold full-time, off-farm jobs. Brady works for the Jefferson County Highway Shop and spends many hours behind the wheel of trucks and other heavy equipment. Lynsey majored in entrepreneurship and earned a business degree and she is a marketing analyst for ORBIS Corporation, which makes reusable plastic packaging.

“Brady is the hardest working man I have ever met. If it wasn’t for his incredible work ethic, our farm wouldn’t be what it is today. We also wouldn’t be where we are today without help from our family and friends. Brady’s dad, in particular, spends many hours helping us. He is usually Brady’s first call when he needs a hand. Now that we have a one-year-old daughter, I’ve had to cut back on how much I can help outside and Brady’s dad has really helped to fill the gap. I find myself doing more of the behind-the-scenes support these days.”

Recently Brady and Lynsey have taken on a Latham® seed dealership. They like representing a family-owned seed company that was founded in the Upper Midwest. Latham Seeds has been the Latham family’s business for generations. In fact, its headquarters remains on the Latham family’s Iowa Century Farm. There also are parallels between the importance of selecting good genetics when breeding cattle or corn hybrids and soybean varieties.

Today we’re celebrating another Broedlow family tradition by sharing this recipe from Brady’s grandma. It’s known in their family simply as “Grandma’s Casserole.”

Shannon Latham

July 19, 2019

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

The Race is On!
Latham® Dealers from six Upper Midwest states recently gathered at Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Altoona, Iowa, to kick off the start of the 2019-2020 sales year.

Latham General Manager Ryan Schon and wife Meg in their derby-themed attire. We enjoyed a beautiful night at the horse track during the 2019 Latham Dealer Kick-off.

Prairie Meadows, Iowa’s only live horse racing facility, was a fitting venue to hold our annual sales meeting. There are so many similarities between breeding racehorses and breeding top-performing seed:
1. Nothing beats selecting the best genetics.
2. Teamwork makes the dream work.
3. A quality training program is essential.
Just as Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds has developed a reputation for providing the best quality and highest germinating seeds available, there are horse farms that have a legacy of producing winners. Claiborne Farm is one such example.

Beginning in 1947 – the same year that Willard Latham founded Latham Seeds – Arthur B. (Bull) Hancock Jr. began managing his family’s horse breeding business. He believed in strong females like “Somethingroyal,” who had a pedigree for going the distance. Sons of “Bold Ruler” were known for being long on speed but short on stamina. This pairing produced Triple Crown winner Secretariat, who was bred by Christopher Chenery of Meadow Stable.

When illness prevented Chenery from managing his breeding and racing business, his daughter Penny took the helm. She strengthened the business arrangement between Meadow Stable and Claiborne Farm where Secretariat stood until his death.

Penny Chenery Tweedy was determined to preserve her father’s legacy as a breeder with a will to win. She turned around the family’s breeding and racing operation, which was ailing while her father’s health was failing.

A graduate of Columbia Business School, Penny Chenery Tweedy was prepared to make tough decisions. She began by firing Meadow Stables’ long-time trainer. She understood the importance of having a trainer, a jockey and a groom who shared her vision. Similarly, Latham Seeds needs everyone – from our production team to our dealers – to embody our company’s values.

Shared beliefs and natural-born talent aren’t enough to ensure success. A quality training program also is key, whether you’re training race horses or seed sellers. Latham Dealer Kickoff is a capstone event where our sales team comes together to learn about new products and services.

Keeping with the horseracing theme, our dealers enjoyed a Kentucky Derby-themed meal that included chicken with Asiago sauce and sliced beef tenderloin plus a dessert buffet. To help you enjoy a similar meal at home, today we’re sharing with you a recipe from the Iowa Beef Council for Crumb-Crusted Top Sirloin and Roasted Garlic Potatoes with Bourbon Sauce. We’re also linking to dessert options:
- Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
- Mini Derby Pies with Bourbon Whipped Cream
Shannon Latham

July 12, 2019

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

Let’s Celebrate Our Independence!

When I was a child, it annoyed me that my birthday cakes were often decorated with fireworks. Today, however, I’d be honored to celebrate with the red, white and blue. I understand what an honor and a privilege it is to live in a free country where we take for granted so many rights that people in other nations only dream about having.

The tradition of celebrating Independence Day dates back to the 18th Century. The Continental Congress voted in favor of independence two days before delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

Americans continue to celebrate the Fourth of July with festivities, ranging from fireworks and parades to family gatherings and backyard barbecues. Isn’t it amazing how the birth of our nation’s independence 243 years ago still unites us? I was overcome by a great sense of patriotism yesterday as I was walking down Main Street in Clear Lake, Iowa, waving an American flag.

Waving the flag demonstrates support for our great nation. It made me think about the symbolism between waving our country’s flag and that of our favorite sports teams or organizations. I started thinking about what I can do to wave our company’s flag.

At Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we’re proud to be family-owned and independent. Our independence means we don’t have to answer to shareholders or Wall Street. We don’t have a parent company to lean on during the tough times. We can only succeed when our farmer-customer succeeds. That means we take great pride in researching seed products and selected those that are bred to perform best in specific geographic areas.

The Latham Team is as committed to helping farmers today as it was when Willard Latham founded our family’s seed business in 1947. We’re proud to be living our family’s legacy right here on the Latham family’s Iowa Century Farm.

We’d like to show you our research farm and walk the plots that showcase the newest seed traits and technologies. Mark your calendars for our annual Latham® Technology Tour on September 6 in Alexander, Iowa. More details will be coming soon.

In the meantime, let’s celebrate our independence and National Ice Cream month with a flashback to Evelyn Latham’s kitchen. Evelyn was known for her cooking skills and hospitality. It wasn’t unusual for her to feed a room full of family, hired men or customers as serving others was an act of love.

Evelyn was such an inspiration to me, so today I’m sharing her recipe for ice cream cake. You’ll also find several links to celebrate our independence.

NOTE: If you’d like a thick slice of the best homemade chocolate cake, click here . Click on the following links for other patriotic dessert ideas: Kid-Friendly Fourth of July Treats, Patriotic Pinwheels, Rice Krispy Star Treats and Red, White & Blue Rice Krispy Bars. Of course, you could always make the “tried and true” original Rice Krispy Treats recipe using the Red, White and Blue limited edition cereal.

Shannon Latham

July 5, 2019

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

Let’s Get Fired Up… for Cyclone Sports and Grilling Season!
It’s time to light a fire and enjoy some of the best flavors of summer. May is National Beef Month. June is National Steak Month, as well as National Barbecue Month. July is National Grilling Month. There are so many reasons to celebrate the season.

At Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we kicked off the grilling season by hosting an unofficial stop on the annual Cyclone Tailgate Tour. This year marked the 13th Anniversary of this popular event, which draws huge crowds and allows fans of all ages to interact with Iowa State head coaches including, Matt Campbell (football), Steve Prohm (men’s basketball), Bill Fennelly (women’s basketball), Christy Johnson-Lynch (volleyball) and Kevin Dresser (wrestling), as well as Director of Athletics, Jamie Pollard and the Voice of the Cyclones, John Walters.

John Walters hosts the Latham Locker Room Report, a post-game show where analysts, coaches and players share their thoughts about the game. The Latham Locker Room Report airs during every football broadcast on the state-wide Cyclone Radio Network. This segment airs following the play-by-play and includes exclusive “locker room” interviews with players and coaches.

Recording a special edition of the Latham Locker Room Report was a highlight for John Latham, who’s a die-hard Cyclone sports fan. “I’m so proud to be part of a third generation, family-owned seed company. I’m equally as proud to be a third generation Iowa Stater,” he said.

John’s grandfather, Willard, and his twin brother, Wilbur, took turns working their way through college at Iowa State. One brother attended classes for a quarter while the other brother worked full time. Then they’d “switch places” each quarter until at last they had both graduated. Willard went home to farm and eventually started Latham Seeds.

“I started following the Cyclones when I was really young. I never missed a game either live, on TV or radio. I really enjoyed the Johnny Orr era when Hilton Magic began. Now I enjoy watching games with my kids, so they can experience that same magic,” says John, whose parents both attended Iowa State. John and his wife, Shannon, met when they were both students in the ISU College of Agriculture. John’s brother, Chris, earned his MBA from ISU.

Coach Steve Prohm has done a great job recruiting, says John. Two players from the 2019 Big 12 Championship Team graduated and three went pro, but Iowa State has a great nucleus of young players.

“It helps when you have great returning players like Tyrese Halliburton, who recently made the U.S. U19 FIBA World Cup 12-man roster and Michael Jacobsen,” adds John. “Transfer Prentis Nixon will likely be a leading scorer, so it will be another fun season of Hilton Magic!”

Admittedly, there were some “lean years” when many Iowa State fans started looking forward to the basketball season before the football season had ended. Not John. He’s been a life-long, die-hard fan.

“I grew up knowing almost all of the football and basketball players’ names,” says John. “To this day, I can tell you the two-deeps in football and name the entire basketball team. One thing I enjoyed most about the Cyclone Tailgate Tour was talking to our coaches about how recruiting is going.”

John adds, “I appreciate what Matt Campbell and Jamie Pollard have done for the football program. The facilities and our players are so much better than when I attended college. Historically, Iowa State hasn’t been very strong on defense. Head Coach Campbell and Defensive Coordinator John Heacock have improved the defense a great deal. This fall we’ll have many returning players in our front seven, including First Team All Conference JaQuan Bailey and Ray Lima. We also return First Team All Conference Safety Greg Eisworth. On offense, we return QB Brock Purdy. Our entire offensive line and tight ends return, including Franklin County native Josh Knipfel, who will be a senior. The nucleus is there to have a fun season!”

No Cyclone football season would be complete without Latham Seeds sponsoring a company tailgate. This season’s Cyclone Tailgate Tour stop in Alexander was just a precursor.

To help you enjoy this grilling season, we’re sharing with you a recipe from our General Manager Ryan Schon and wife Meg for Tri-Tip Steak. Enjoy!

Related Posts:
Shannon Latham

June 29, 2019

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

Doors Are Open to Iowa’s First Authentic “Farm Stay”
One trend for travelers is enjoying unique, yet authentic and local experiences you can’t find at the office, down the street or from mainstream motel or hotel. Examples include camping in a yurt in Clear Lake, Iowa, Sleeping Under the Sea at SEA LIFE Aquarium in Minnesota’s Mall of America, and embracing winter at Quebec’s Hotel de Glace, North America’s only ice hotel.

A North Central Iowa dairy family is offering a unique travel experience by combining a sleep experience with agritourism. Dan and Lynn Bolin of Clarksville, Iowa, opened New Day Dairy Guest Barn in December 2019. Attached to their free-stall dairy barn and robotic milking parlor, the loft of the Guest Barn features two cow-gazing windows. Each of the three bedrooms has a private attached bathroom. A kitchen and dining area finish out the space.

“We’re offering a new experience that will help connect folks from the city and country plus give people an understanding of where their food comes from by creating a space like nothing else,” says Lynn, who grew up near Minneapolis and met her husband when they were both attending Iowa State University.

After living abroad for two years, Dan and Lynn returned home to his family’s farm. Dan is a fifth generation Iowa dairyman. He and Lynn expanded their operation in 2015 by building a new barn, and “Rita the robot” began milking their 110 cows. Dan and Lynn feel blessed to work daily with his grandparents and parents. Dan’s mom, Pam Bolin, also is a leader in the dairy industry.

One advantage the Bolin’s farm has is that it’s just a short drive from many interesting attractions that also offer unique experiences. Because more Americans are traveling by car and opting to take shorter trips, those interested in booking a farm stay at New Day Dairy Guest Barn may enjoy day trips to nearby places like:

Cedar Valley (Cedar Falls – Waterloo)
- Barn Happy
- Food and shopping in Downtown Cedar Falls
- Lost Island Water Park and Go-Karts in nearby Hudson, Iowa
- Hansen Dairy of Hudson where you can eat homemade ice cream on another picturesque farm
- John Deere Tractor & Museum or factory tours in Waterloo, Iowa
Cedar River (Charles City)
- Coffee shops, restaurants and shopping
- White Water Park
- Carrie Chapman Catt’s girlhood home (where you can pick apples in the fall)
- Catch the Christmas Spirit in Charles City
North Iowa (Mason City, Clear Lake, Sheffield and Dougherty)
- Music Man Square, Meredith Wilson Museum and Meredith Wilson Footbridge
- Memories that Last a Lifetime Are Made in Clear Lake: The Surf Ballroom, Buddy Holly Crash Site, Classic Car Shows and summer festivals
- Northwestern Steakhouse
- What To Do with Kids in Clear Lake
- Frank Lloyd Wright: Architecture and Eats in Mason City
- Tyden Farm No. 6 in rural Dougherty
- Enchanted Acres pumpkin patch, Sheffield, open annually from mid-September through October)
- Block 10 @ 1921 City Hall in Sheffield for coffee, pastries or lunch
Northeast Iowa (Decorah)
- Seed Saver’s Exchange
- Whippy Dip and Mabe’s Pizza, which was voted “Top 100 Places to Eat before You Die”
- Vesterheim Norwegian Museum
SIDE BAR: Click on links above to related blogs for a “sneak peek” at these northern Iowa attractions.

To help consumers stay connected after they leave the farm, New Day Dairy started a monthly newsletter. Readers can learn how many calves were born that month, which cow is producing the most milk and special activities on the farm. You also have a chance to win a free night’s stay in the New Day Dairy GuestBarn. Click here to enter!

“Ultimately, the food we eat is our common thread, and food has become a destination. Rural America is becoming a destination, too. The New Day Dairy Guest Barn is the only place in Iowa where you can authentically enjoy both,” says Lynn. “Helping others understand the source of their food isn’t the supermarket – it’s the farm – is important to us. Staying overnight on a real working farm acquaints guests with their food in a new way.”
Shannon Latham

June 14, 2019

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

Going “Behind the Scenes” of an Egg Facility

Guest blog post by Anita McVey of Picnic Life Foodie

One of my most vivid memories from childhood was visiting my grandma’s farm to see the baby chickens. We would walk out to the coop, and she would carefully open the door to a floor full of bright yellow, peeping fluff-balls. I learned quickly to shuffle my feet instead of trying to step through them and with each movement forward the chicks would scatter away, just out of my reach, creating an empty triangle in front of me.

When you grow up with, or have access to, experiences that show how food gets to the table, your appreciation for that food is elevated. The Iowa Food and Family Project (IFFP) is one organization trying provide such experiences to consumers who want to learn more about Iowa agriculture.

The IFFP recently sponsored a “Food U” day trip in honor of May being National Beef Month and National Egg Month. We toured an Iowa cattle farm, as well as the Rose Acre Farms egg facility in Guthrie Center. This tour gave me a new respect for each carton of eggs I bring home from the grocery store.

With 17 facilities in eight states, Rose Acre Farms is the second largest egg producer in the United States. From a small farm in Indiana, this now high-tech and innovative producer has managed to maintain the ethics and values that established this family-owned company in the beginning.

Once we entered the property, our first action was to drive the bus through the on-site, sanitizing car wash that was installed a few years ago as another way to protect the animals from disease and the eggs from contamination.

Food safety is serious business. We wore lab coats and protective coverings on our shoes and hair, walked through sanitizing solutions between each area of the facility, removed our jewelry, used ear plugs and signed waivers regarding our health and lack of exposure to other animal facilities.

As the eggs travel through the facility, they are sorted for different purposes. Broken shells are crushed for fertilizer. Broken eggs are processed and purified for pet food. Nonstandard eggs are cracked; the yolk and whites are separated for specialty products like liquid eggs, dried egg powder and even egg white protein powder. The eggs that pass all the inspections are sorted and packaged for shipping.

This company has grown is size and scope, but Rose Acre Farms continues to show respect and gratitude to the communities in which they operate. They regularly donate to local causes (e.g. fundraisers), social groups (e.g. 4-H) and community events. Just imagine how popular the breakfast events are around these towns.

All the hard work made me hungry– and all I did was watch and learn! Take a moment the next time you crack an egg (or six) to be grateful for the hands and the hens that provided them in such a convenient and safe way.

Today I’m sharing with you a recipe for Shakshuka. I made this recipe for my family during Memorial Day weekend, and it was a hit! While I realize this isn’t traditional Midwestern fare, I enjoy trying new things. Versions of this Middle Eastern/North African breakfast food have been filling my social media feed and are being featured on many cooking shows recently, so I decided to try my hand at making it. Serve with pita or naan bread – found in most Fareway and Hy-Vee stores – as a vehicle to get a little of everything in one bite! Served family-style, Shakshuka just might be the ultimate “eggs-for-dinner” recipe.

Shannon Latham

June 7, 2019

Food & Family, Poultry, Recipes