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Celebrate Food & Farming at the Iowa State Fair!
By Kelly Visser, Iowa Soybean Association communications program coordinator

There’s no better celebration of food, family and farming than the iconic Iowa State Fair. Whether it’s meeting baby piglets, cheering on grocery bagging competitions or enjoying a new fair food, fairgoers from both rural and urban communities can make lifelong memories during the incredible 11-day event.

The Iowa Food & Family Project will have an exhibit in the South Atrium of the Varied Industries Building, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day of the fair. The display will offer fairgoers a unique perspective about agriculture, farm families, food and food retailers.

More than 250,000 fairgoers are expected to “follow a farmer” through a one-of-a-kind combination barn-and-home, complete a short quiz and enter to win several fabulous prizes including a $500 meat & dairy bundle, $500 Hy-Vee Gift Card, $500 Earl May Dream Garden and Casey’s Pizza for a Year!

Visitors can take their turn at the Food and Farm Trivia Wheel and meet celebrity artists as they paint a larger-than-life mural celebrating Iowa and the families and food that grow here. Here’s the celebrity guest painting schedule:
- Chuck Long | Thursday, August 9 at 1 p.m.
- Cy and the Iowa State University Cheer Squad | Wednesday, August 15 at 1 p.m.
- Governor Kim Reynolds | Thursday, August 16 at 1 p.m.
Follow the Iowa Food & Family Project on Facebook for live updates from the fair.

Iowa State Fair by the Numbers

It takes a lot of volunteers, food and fuel to power the fair each year, and Iowa’s farm groups play a huge part in making it happen! Here are a few fair food fun facts:
- Approximately 160,000 eggs on a stick are handed out each year.
- The Iowa Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters serves 28,000 pounds of beef each year.
- On average, more than 7,100 gallons of ice cream are served at the Dairy Barn.
- Each year, 75,000 pork chops are served.
- Beer and hot dogs are fair favorites that are made with corn.
- The turkey grill opened in 1983.
- The fair spans 400 acres. A farmer can grow 94,000 bushels of corn or 26,000 bushels of soybeans on 400 acres.
- A world record for the most people simultaneously eating corn dogs was set at the fair in 2008, with 8,400 corn dogs consumed!
Iowa State “Fare” Cookbook

You can continue enjoying fair food all year long with recipes from Iowa Food & Family Project’s Iowa State “Fare” Cookbook. The cookbook serves up tried and true recipes created by Cristen Clark, a farmer, award winning-cook and fair aficionado. Click here to download a copy of the cookbook.
August 3, 2018

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

Live Your Legacy with Latham® Seeds

Thank you to all of the Latham® dealers and their families, who traveled earlier this month to Bloomington, Minnesota, for our annual sales meeting and new product introduction. Turnout was tremendous! We hope you enjoyed your stay at the Radisson Blu Mall of America and left the Twin Cities feeling excited about your future with family-owned, independent Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds.

The theme of “Live Your Legacy with Latham Seeds” was carried through in everything from the 1940s truck centerpieces, which were a replica of the truck Willard Latham used to haul oats to market when the company first began, to our presentations.

One Kickoff presentation that was rated the highest was a keynote address by Kent Stock. Kent left us with this question, “What do you want to be remembered for?” It’s a question for which he’s become famous. In fact, there was a movie based upon it.

As a former teacher, coach and principal, Kent coached the Norway, Iowa, baseball team to victory in their now-famous final season. As depicted in the 2007 film, “The Final Season,” the Norway baseball team defied the odds and won the small school’s 20th state title in what would become the team’s final season before it was forced to merge with a bigger, neighboring school district. (NOTE: Those of you interested in watching this movie can purchase it off Amazon.)

“Every person who’s ever worn a Norway uniform is out there with you today,” Coach Stock told his team during the state championship game. “Now think about this… No Iowa baseball dynasty has ever won a state championship in their final season. We’re playing for everyone who knows that Norway is a great place to come home to. And no matter what happens today, this time next year, the jerseys you’re wearing will be polishing chrome in Madison High School. So ask yourself one question, ‘How do you want to be remembered’?”

How do you want to be remembered? Whether or not we’re intentional, we all will be remembered for something. At Latham Seeds, we’re proud to live Willard Latham’s legacy. Seed traits and technologies, as well as the way we get seed to market, have changed since 1947. Our business philosophy, however, has not. We’re still committed to farmers helping farmers. We’re committed to helping you increase your yield and preserve your family’s legacy for generations to come!

One way we all can preserve our legacies is by taking care of the environment. In the spirit of sustainability, the Radisson Blu Mall of America houses honey bee colonies from the University of Minnesota Bee Squad. In fact, Firelake Grill House and Cocktail Bar inside the Radisson Blu features many menu items that put a unique twist on traditional Midwest fare. Some of the menu items enjoyed by those attending Latham Dealer Kickoff included Minnesota Wild Rice Pancakes with Chokecherry Syrup and Walleye Cakes, which are Minnesota’s version of New England’s Crab Cakes. Another menu item that features honey produced on the rooftop at the Radisson Blu is Honey-Lavender Cheesecake, so we’re sharing a similar recipe with you today. Enjoy!

Shannon Latham

July 27, 2018

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

4 Generations Lend Helping Hand to Harvest Fresh Ears Daily
As the old adage goes, “If you love something let it go. If it comes back to you, it was meant to be.” For Jacob Van Manen, sometimes you must leave the farm to realize just how much you miss it.

“I always enjoyed helping on the farm, but it wasn’t until I went off to college and received a couple of job offers to work in an office that I realized I couldn’t stand working inside all day,” Jacob says.

Jacob and his sister, Emily, were raised on their family’s farm in East Central Iowa. This dynamic duo has been selling Van Manen Sweet Corn for virtually their entire lives. They officially took over the business about seven years after their father, Kevin, said he was ready to retire from raising produce. As is the case with most farmers, Kevin never really retired.

Today four generations of the Van Manen family — including Jacob’s wife, Kate, and Emily’s husband, Braden — have come together to help with the family operation, whether to pick produce, manage roadside stands or any number of other chores. Kevin’s mom, Trudy, shows up faithfully every morning to drive the gator for her grandkids (and great grandkids). Kevin and his wife, Julie, began growing sweet corn in the 1980s and have sold it at roadside stands for 30 years. As their family has grown, their roles have changed and the farm has evolved.

Great Grandma Trudy with Isabella

Great Grandma Trudy and Kennedy

Kevin and Jacob both farm full time. In addition to raising produce, they raise field corn and soybeans. They also raise Holstein feeder calves and pigs. Jacob’s wife, Kate, works right here at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds as our digital marketing strategist. She has added a produce season to the mix by selling pumpkins and mums at self-serve stands in the fall.

Everyone plays a role in this family business. Sweet corn is picked fresh every morning and then transported to town before the roadside stand opens. Van Manen Sweet Corn & Fresh Produce has expanded during the last five years to four, full-time stands. They also have added Muscatine watermelon and cantaloupe to their inventory.

Family members’ roles have changed, too. Kevin and Julie used to pick produce daily. Now Grandma Julie is usually on “kid duty” with four little ones, ages five and under. Kevin feeds the cattle and hogs as others pick corn.

“I just love growing things,” says Jacob, who enjoyed exhibiting horticultural products through 4-H and FFA. He still enjoys entering his produce in the open class competition at the county and state fairs. “We’re just a hardworking family that loves what we do.”

Jacob looks forward to passing along his love of agriculture. He and Kate are the proud parents of Kennedy and Karter. Emily and her husband, Braden, live 20 minutes south of the family farm and have two children, Isabella and Anastasia.

“It’s really cool that my kids will have an opportunity to grow up on a farm like I did. Not many kids today get to do that. Not many people realize sometimes we work 80-plus hours a week to bring in a crop,” says Jacob, who is a fifth-generation Iowa farmer. “Not many people today know where their food comes from. We want consumers to understand the care we take to produce safe, healthy and nutritious foods for their table.”

Jacob and Karter

The kids even get photoshoots in the corn!

The Van Manen family opens their farm to tours. They also were a recipient of the Choose Iowa Award from Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig.

Check out their stands available Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (or sold out) through July and August.
- Newton – Newton Classic Carwash
- Grinnell – First State Bank
- Marshalltown – by Scooters
- Altoona – Rasmussen Bike Shop – Altoona
Be sure to follow them on Facebook for the latest updates: Van Manen Sweet Corn & Fresh Produce.

Today Jacob is sharing with us one of his family’s favorite recipes for Sweet Corn Dip.
Shannon Latham

July 20, 2018

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

Sweet Summer Time and Blue-Ribbon Memories
‘Twas two weeks before fair, and around the farm;

Every 4-H and FFA member was working so hard sweat dripped down their arms.

Baking experiments on the counter, painting projects on the table;

Goats in the pasture, horses in the stable.

Will it all come together? Will everything get done?

Sometimes all one can do is pray, but that beats twiddling your thumbs!

The great Franklin County Fair will be July 18-22, 2018, in Hampton, Iowa. There will be a Barnes PRCA Rodeo on Wednesday. Country Music Hall of Famer Chris Janson will take the stage on Thursday, July 19. Then on Friday, July 20, the “Roots & Boots” tour including Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye and Sammy Kershaw draw people from miles around. What a lineup!

But as good as the entertainment is, the main event for me is watching my daughter show. I admire my her hard work and determination, but what I enjoy most about Ellie’s 4-H Meat Goat and Horse Projects is that it allows us to spend quality time together. We work toward a common goal to find a feeding program to get our goats ready for market and preparing them for the fair. We spend lots of hours together throughout the year in the horse stables while she rides and practices for show. We log lots of windshield time traveling to shows. We’ve also made a lot of good friends along the way.

Any former 4-H or FFA member, and any parent of a 4-H and FFA member, knows the amount of stress that comes as as show day gets one day closer. There’s only so much that’s within the control of the person who’s showing livestock. You and your animal must work well together. You’re also at the mercy of the judge, whether you’re showing livestock or exhibiting a Home Improvement project.

Photo by Joseph L. Murphy – find him as @jmurphpix on Instagram and Twitter

So why do it… Why be a 4-H or FFA member who exhibits projects at the fair? These youth organizations teach so many valuable life sills from settings goals and working to achieve them to money management. Friends that I made as a 9-year-old 4-H member are still some of my best friends today. In addition to life-long friendships, we’re making life-long memories.

One of my best fair memories is food on a stick like corn dogs and hot beef sundaes at the Franklin County 4-H Food Stand. Thanks to the Iowa Food & Family Project’s Fair Fare cookbook, we can enjoy some of Iowa State Fairgoers’ favorite foods like Peppermint Ice Cream Bars. (Click here to download the Fair Fare cookbook.)

Today the Iowa Food & Family Project is sharing with us a recipe that allows us to savor one of the best summer flavors, and that’s homegrown sweet corn. I noticed sweet corn stands popping up for the first time this week across North Iowa, and I’m looking forward to trying some soon. July is National Grilling Month, and Grilled Sweet Corn Salsa sounds perfect for backyard barbecues and family gatherings.

GRILLED CORN SALSA

INGREDIENTS
- 5 ears fresh sweet corn, shucked
- 3 jalapeños, chopped (seeded if you don’t want a spicy salsa)
- 1 red onion, quartered
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded, coarsely chopped
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves
- 4 cups coarsely chopped tomatoes
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) black soybeans, drained and rinsed
- 1½ teaspoons garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ to 1 lime, juiced
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS

Preheat a grill to medium-high (350°F). Arrange the ears of corn on the grill and cook until lightly charred, turning occasionally, about 20 minutes. Remove the corn from the grill and let cool slightly. Slice the kernels from the cobs and measure 3 cups into a large bowl. Reserve any excess corn for another use.

Place the jalapeños (remove seeds if you don’t want the salsa to be as spicy), onion, red pepper and cilantro in a food processor and pulse to chop. Add the tomatoes and pulse to create a chunky texture. Do not overprocess. Transfer the vegetables to the bowl with the corn and add the beans, garlic salt, oregano, lime juice and pepper. Toss gently to coat. Chill the salsa for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to develop.
Shannon Latham

July 6, 2018

General, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

June is Officially Turkey Lover’s Month

Whether you’re packing a deli picnic to enjoy at the lake or grabbing a Subway® sandwich on the way to a ball game, chances are you’re enjoying Iowa-raised turkey.

“The rising popularity of sandwich chains means more Americans than ever are enjoying turkey that was produced by West Liberty Foods in West Liberty, Iowa,” explains Jared Achen of Achen Farms, a third generation Iowa turkey farmer who is a member-owner of the West Liberty Foods cooperative.

Today 75 percent of turkey is eaten year-round, which is a significantly different trend than when Jared’s father started raising turkeys. In 1970, 50 percent of the turkey eaten in the U.S. was enjoyed during the holidays.

“It’s gratifying to see that Americans are enjoying turkey in a variety of ways throughout the year,” says Jared, who also has a vested interest in Agri-Way Partners, a feed mill for turkey growers in Southeast Iowa. He says being involved with West Liberty Foods and Agri-Way Partners allows him to build strong relationships with other producers and others in the turkey industry. “This support is like a big family in a small industry. Producers are more than willing to share information aimed at keeping the industry strong.”

Iowa turkey producers have learned to consistently produce turkey year-round to keep up with the rising demand. That’s good news for rural communities and the farm families who wish to keep farming the land that’s been in their family for generations. The Achen’s turkey operation plus their corn and soybean enterprises support five families.

“We have an amazing team that helps us grow and maintain our operation. It truly takes a village to run a farm and raise a family. We’re blessed with great full-time and part-time help,” says Jared.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in Ag Business from Iowa State University in 2011, Jared returned home to Henry County. He married his high school sweetheart, and they became independent turkey farmers. Jared and Tawnya feel blessed to be growing their farming operation and raising their two children, three-year-old Brecken and 1-year-old Tenley, in the beautiful rolling hills of Southeast Iowa.

Jared and Tawnya built their first turkey farm with two barns in 2011. Then they expanded in 2015 by building one new barn. In 2017, they purchased another farm that added three barns.

“Someday I hope to pass this operation on to the fourth generation of turkey growers, and this legacy is what keeps me motivated,” says Jared. “We enjoy farming together as a family and watching our children experience life on a family farm. It’s fun to experience farming through the eyes of my children. They really enjoy it when we get day-old poults on our farm.”

Caring for turkeys and watching them grow is a rewarding endeavor for the Achens. Turkeys arrive when they are 1 day old and grow quickly for 19 weeks until they are finished at about 44 pounds. Like other livestock enterprises, good management is key for turkey production. A consistent daily routine of feeding, evaluating the turkeys, checking ventilation, and applying new bedding is vital to producing top quality birds.

Although the turkey and row crop operations keep the Achen family busy seven days a week, they still find time to be involved with their community. Jared and Tawnya hold positions within their church and volunteer at school events. Jared also is a member of the Wayland Economic Development Committee and serves on the Henry County Farm Bureau board.

“We strive to assist our community as much as possible as it is important to us to have our small town thriving,” says Jared. “We also give farm tours. We often have community members ask to tour. Sometimes those who have moved away like to come ‘home’ and show their kids our turkeys. Bio-Security is important, but we do our best to protect our turkeys while teaching the public about turkeys.”

The Achen family also shares their farm life by posting frequently on the Achen Farms Facebook page. Another way they connect with consumers is through the Midwest Old Threshers, which draws people to the area each Labor Day weekend. The Achens set up an turkey booth within their church tent where they serve turkey drumsticks and turkey tenderloins.

Today the Achens are sharing with us one of their family’s favorite recipes for turkey enchiladas. Download this recipe and celebrate June Turkey Month with your family!

Shannon Latham

June 29, 2018

General, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

June is Officially Turkey Lover’s Month

Whether you’re packing a deli picnic to enjoy at the lake or grabbing a Subway® sandwich on the way to a ball game, chances are you’re enjoying Iowa-raised turkey.

“The rising popularity of sandwich chains means more Americans than ever are enjoying turkey that was produced by West Liberty Foods in West Liberty, Iowa,” explains Jared Achen of Achen Farms, a third generation Iowa turkey farmer who is a member-owner of the West Liberty Foods cooperative.

Today 75 percent of turkey is eaten year-round, which is a significantly different trend than when Jared’s father started raising turkeys. In 1970, 50 percent of the turkey eaten in the U.S. was enjoyed during the holidays.

“It’s gratifying to see that Americans are enjoying turkey in a variety of ways throughout the year,” says Jared, who also has a vested interest in Agri-Way Partners, a feed mill for turkey growers in Southeast Iowa. He says being involved with West Liberty Foods and Agri-Way Partners allows him to build strong relationships with other producers and others in the turkey industry. “This support is like a big family in a small industry. Producers are more than willing to share information aimed at keeping the industry strong.”

Iowa turkey producers have learned to consistently produce turkey year-round to keep up with the rising demand. That’s good news for rural communities and the farm families who wish to keep farming the land that’s been in their family for generations. The Achen’s turkey operation plus their corn and soybean enterprises support five families.

“We have an amazing team that helps us grow and maintain our operation. It truly takes a village to run a farm and raise a family. We’re blessed with great full-time and part-time help,” says Jared.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in Ag Business from Iowa State University in 2011, Jared returned home to Henry County. He married his high school sweetheart, and they became independent turkey farmers. Jared and Tawnya feel blessed to be growing their farming operation and raising their two children, three-year-old Brecken and 1-year-old Tenley, in the beautiful rolling hills of Southeast Iowa.

Jared and Tawnya built their first turkey farm with two barns in 2011. Then they expanded in 2015 by building one new barn. In 2017, they purchased another farm that added three barns.

“Someday I hope to pass this operation on to the fourth generation of turkey growers, and this legacy is what keeps me motivated,” says Jared. “We enjoy farming together as a family and watching our children experience life on a family farm. It’s fun to experience farming through the eyes of my children. They really enjoy it when we get day-old poults on our farm.”

Caring for turkeys and watching them grow is a rewarding endeavor for the Achens. Turkeys arrive when they are 1 day old and grow quickly for 19 weeks until they are finished at about 44 pounds. Like other livestock enterprises, good management is key for turkey production. A consistent daily routine of feeding, evaluating the turkeys, checking ventilation, and applying new bedding is vital to producing top quality birds.

Although the turkey and row crop operations keep the Achen family busy seven days a week, they still find time to be involved with their community. Jared and Tawnya hold positions within their church and volunteer at school events. Jared also is a member of the Wayland Economic Development Committee and serves on the Henry County Farm Bureau board.

“We strive to assist our community as much as possible as it is important to us to have our small town thriving,” says Jared. “We also give farm tours. We often have community members ask to tour. Sometimes those who have moved away like to come ‘home’ and show their kids our turkeys. Bio-Security is important, but we do our best to protect our turkeys while teaching the public about turkeys.”

The Achen family also shares their farm life by posting frequently on the Achen Farms Facebook page. Another way they connect with consumers is through the Midwest Old Threshers, which draws people to the area each Labor Day weekend. The Achens set up an turkey booth within their church tent where they serve turkey drumsticks and turkey tenderloins.

Today the Achens are sharing with us one of their family’s favorite recipes for turkey enchiladas. Download this recipe and celebrate June Turkey Month with your family!

Team Latham

June 29, 2018

General, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Alex Wellnitz Lives His Dairy Legacy in the Rolling Hills of Wisconsin

Dairying was Alex Wellnitz’s destiny.

The 27-year-old farmer enjoyed a carefree childhood on the Wellnitz family farm just one mile south of Orfordville, Wisconsin. The only son of Mark and Tina Wellnitz, and the third oldest of four children, Alex’s days were spent helping his parents raise crops and livestock. They worked hard, but they also spent time fishing and hunting in between morning and evening chores.

While he was in high school, Alex was involved with 4-H and FFA. He showed dairy heifers, steers and crossbred hogs through 4-H. He also participated in FFA judging contests and enjoyed taking trips with the Parkview FFA to World Dairy Expo.

“Dairy judging helped me learn what to look for in breeding stock. It taught me skills that I use to evaluate and manage my cows today,” says Alex.

Life skills gained through 4-H and FFA, lessons learned while growing up on his family’s dairy farm, plus on-the-job training while working at Larson Acres all helped prepare Alex to take on the responsibility of managing his own acres and livestock at the age of 22.

“Dairying was all that I ever wanted to do,” says Alex. “I was working for Larsons in Evansville when I got the call that my parents had been in a motorcycle accident. I drove home as fast as I could, and I’ve been here ever since. You learn to grow up fast when something like that happens.”

Sadly, Mark Wellnitz passed away on Oct. 24, 2012. Three of his brothers helped guide Alex through the darkest days. “Uncle Tom gave me some good ideas. Uncle Phil helped me put in the crops for the first couple of years. Uncle Joe gave me a few pointers to make things go a little smoother.”

The Wellnitz family is close, both literally and figuratively. Phil and Patti live just down the road from the farm that Alex’s parents, Mark and Tina, purchased in 1987. Tina and her daughter Angela live on the home place, and it’s where Alex milks cows twice daily. Tina and Angela also work off-farm at The Sassy Farms Quilt Shop, which they opened in 2012 with a friend of Tina’s. Angela’s twin sister, Krista, lives in Orfordville with her husband. Krista is an Animal Science professor at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville. Their youngest sister, Jessica, lives in nearby Viroqua and works at Westby Cooperative Creamery. Jessica’s husband farms and also operates a custom baling and wrapping business.

The dairying tradition is strong in the rolling hills of Southwest Wisconsin. Living his legacy, Alex continues to sell his milk to Rolling Hills Dairy Producers Cooperative like his father did and like his Uncle Phil does. The dairy co-op has done away with volume premiums and is focusing more on milk components like butterfat. As a result, Alex is making some changes to his crop plan and his feed rations to raise crops that will help increase butterfat.

Alex milks 47 cows, all are Holsteins but one. The lone Brown Swiss was bought as a gift for Alex’s girlfriend, Karina, who takes care of the calves in addition to working full time at Juda Grain in Brodhead, Wisc. Beatrice the Brown Swiss this spring gave birth to Burt the bull calf. Although he’s had offers for Burt, Alex isn’t sure they want to part with the beautiful brown-eyed creature.

Step-wise growth is part of Alex’s plan. Most bull calves become dairy beef steers, which are then sold to a local market. His heifer to bull calf ratio is 4 to 1, which his helping herd numbers increase. Alex has 32 heifers that will soon be bred and then added to the milk line.

“I’m really fortunate to do what I love. I look forward to working with my cows every day, so it doesn’t feel like a job. I like being my own boss,” says Alex, who still makes time to catch pan fish, hunt for deer and turkeys, and go snowmobiling around his 6 AM and 6 PM milking schedule.

To help promote the Real® dairy products that he helps produce, today Alex is sharing a family favorite recipe for Éclair Cake. He says this recipe is his mom’s go-to dessert for any celebration and every holiday because it’s a favorite of her kids and grandkids.

Shannon Latham

June 8, 2018

Desserts, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Cowboys Gather in Eastern Iowa for Annual Memorial Day Roundup

“BYOH” isn’t what one expects to see on an invitation to an annual Memorial Day weekend party, but then again, this isn’t your typical party.

Cowboys from miles around will load horses into trailers and travel to Robb and Jennifer Ewoldt’s farm in the picturesque hills of Scott County near Davenport, Iowa, for the 20^th annual branding weekend. The group varies from year to year, but Jennifer says there are about 20 friends and family members who show up year after year, plus a few new hands join in the fun. This year a businessman from Germany, as well as a Wyoming native who’s now working in the Davenport area, have expressed an interest in participating.

“We prefer to ride horses to work our cattle because it causes less stress on the cattle,” explains Robb, whose parents in 1970 bought 70 acres of a former Boy Scout camp and built a farmstead. Robb’s dad, Gary, worked off farm full-time, so Robb and his mom, Sally, were primarily responsible for tending to the crops and livestock. He grew up riding horses out to the cow pastures.

Now Robb, Jennifer and their two sons enjoy riding their own horses across the rolling countryside. They moved onto the farm last November when Robb’s parents moved to town. It’s a family effort to take care of the 125 cow-calf pairs. Eleven-year-old Alex and 9-year-old Isaac enjoy riding out to the pasture to check on cattle and throw out salt blocks. Alex is a second-year member of the Bluegrass Junior Farmers 4-H Club and is looking forward to showing his first Bucket Calf this summer at the Mississippi Valley Fair.

In addition to raising cattle, Robb’s family has a 2,400 wean-to-finish hog enterprise. Robb no-tills about 1,000 acres of corn and soybeans plus custom harvests another 1,000 acres. Jennifer works full-time off the farm as a veterinarian at Scott County Animal Hospital. Plus, every two weeks she makes time to write a column in the Quad City Times. She gives readers a “behind-the-scenes” look at what’s happening year-round on their Iowa farm.

“One night at the supper table I was expressing my frustration to Robb about another negative article I had read about farming. I told him there are so many good stories about farming that never get told. He responded by asking me why I wasn’t telling them,” says Jennifer, who was honored as an Iowa Master Farm Homemaker in 2014. “I thought Robb made a good point, so I drafted a few sample stories and sent them to the City Editor. To my surprise, the newspaper editor was very open to my ideas. I’ve been a regular column for since 2009.”

One reason Jennifer’s columns are so relatable to consumers is mostly likely due to the fact she didn’t grow up on a farm. A native of Prince Edward Island in Canada, she learned to ride at the stables and that’s also where she developed an interest in becoming a large animal vet. Jennifer graduated from veterinary school at the University of Prince Edward Island in Canada. She then did a one-year internship at Iowa State University, where she met Robb, and went on to complete a three-year surgical residency in veterinary surgery at The Ohio State University.

Jennifer and Robb are a team in the farming operation. She drives equipment when needed and serves as the farm’s veterinarian. She tags and treats the cattle, does pregnancy checks and gives vaccinations. During each roundup she’s responsible for giving calves the shots they need and does the castrations.

In fact, all the wranglers have the process down. It’s a like a team roping event you might watch at the county fair where one cowboy ropes the head and another the heels. Then the crew jumps into action. One person holds the head and a front leg; another person controls the back legs. Injections are given, and an ear is tagged. Males are castrated, and each animal gets branded with the Rafter E.

“We use freeze branding, so the iron brand is placed in liquid nitrogen. The cold changes the color pigment of the hair from black to white, so the cold brand is more visible on a black calf than a hot brand would be,” explains Robb.

Why go through the work of branding? “It’s so much fun,” answer Robb and Jennifer in unison with smiles on their faces. As the old saying goes, many hands make short work. Once the work is done, the Ewoldts and their hands will enjoy kicking back around the campfire and telling tales while enjoying some delicious homegrown beef.

Robb says his favorite meal is a grilled ribeye with a side of grilled onions. Robb likes to cook the onions low and slow for about an hour, so he puts those on the grill first. Simply quarter two Vidalia onions; place minced garlic and a ½ pound of butter in the center. Wrap them in foil. While the onions are grilling, Robb seasons the ¾-inch thick steaks with McCormick’s meat tenderizer and garlic salt to taste. He works them over with a hand-held meat tenderizer and then seasons the other side.

Click here for grilling tips from the Iowa Beef Industry Council.

Team Latham

May 25, 2018

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

Beef, It’s My Future

“Beef. It’s what’s for dinner®.”

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of this highly effective marketing tagline, the beef brand is being refreshed. National and state beef councils are taking this opportunity to educate a new generation of consumers about the many benefits beef. They’re also featuring a new generation of cattle farmers, who take great pride in producing quality beef.

In honor of May Beef Month, I chose to feature one of the most passionate beef enthusiasts I know. Andee Hammen is a young cattle farmer, who helps bring beef to family’s tables across America.

Andee and her family raise beef on their farm in Jolley, Iowa. Their operation includes her dad, Gary; her mom, Linda, and her sister, Brittany. In addition to 150-head commercial cow-calf herd, the Hammen family raises corn and soybeans.

“My dad definitely sparked my interest in beef production,” says Andee, who first got involved in her family’s beef operation by raising bottle calves as a kid. “Helping bottle feed calves on our farm is one of my fondest memories. I’ve always been an animal lover, and I think it stems from raising bottle calves when I was young.”

The older Andee got, the more involved she became in 4-H and FFA beef projects. That experience also led her down an ag career path. She chose to major in Agricultural Communications at Iowa State University and took many beef production courses as electives.

Andee graduated from ISU in May of 2017. She works as a content manager at Corner Post Marketing Communications in Fort Dodge. She enjoys living and working near her hometown because it allows her to remain active in her family’s farming operation.

“Dad’s passion and dedication day in and day out makes me truly appreciate this industry,” says Andee. “He encouraged my sister and me to pursue other interests, but we’ve both came back to the farm because we knew it’s where we belong.”

After graduating from college, Andee wanted to get more involved in the beef industry and applied for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP).

“I knew that taking part in this program would open my eyes up to what other possibilities and opportunities are out there for young cattlemen,” says Andee. “So far it has exceeded my expectations!”

The YCLP is a series of educational sessions designed to develop leadership qualities in young cattle farmers. Sessions touch on key beef cattle industry topics as well as activities to enhance leadership skills. Andee has also enjoyed the opportunity to meet other cattle farmers from all over the state.

Another interest of Andee’s is capturing every-day moments on their farm with her camera. She became interested in photography during her freshmen year of college.

“Being away from the farm made me homesick,” explains Andee. “Photography was a great way to bring a little piece of home and the farm with me to college. I have really taken interest in photography, and now I rarely go anywhere without my camera.”

Andee’s favorite subjects to photograph are cattle, corn, soybeans, sunsets and nature. She enjoys photos that represent life in rural Iowa, which you can see from the photos that accompany this story. You also can follow her on Instagram.

Photography is a way for Andee to preserve a lifetime of memories and to help the Hammen legacy live on.

“What I love most about raising cattle is the fact that the industry is allowing my family to create a legacy,” says Andee. “You put so much blood, sweat and tears into the operation that it just becomes part of you. We’re continually making improvements for the future generations.”

Because honoring family traditions is so important to Andee, today she is sharing with us a family favorite recipe for Teryaki Steak Kabobs.

Webspec Admin

May 18, 2018

Beef, Food & Family
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Tietz’s Legacy is Four Generations Strong and Growing

Photo Credit: Daiton Tietz

Eighty years ago a pristine white house sat atop a hill next to an iconic red barn on a farm southeast of Decorah in Northeast Iowa. The setting was straight from the pages of Country Living magazine.

Walter and Elsie Tietz dreamed about raising their family here, but they were wrestling with whether or not to buy it. Taking a leap of faith, they bought the farmstead plus a small herd of Hereford and Shorthorn cattle.

This land and their cattle herd became their legacy. Years later their son, Leonard, took over the operation. He decided to raise Shorthorns, as well as crops.

In the early 1980s, Leonard’s son, Galen, started farming with him. Galen added Black Angus and Simmental cattle to the Shorthorn herd. Galen also acquired land to grow soybeans, corn and alfalfa.

Pictured left to right: Melanie, Daiton, Jordan, Galen

Galen and his wife, Melanie, have been farming together since 1992. They raised their two children, 24-year-old Jordan and 21-year-old Daiton, on the Teitz family farm.

Each member of the Tietz family inherited Walter and Elsie’s love of agriculture. Jordan attended the University of Wisconsin—Platteville. He graduated in 2015 with a major in Agricultural Business and a minor in Industrial Engineering Technology. He says the hands-on experience he gained at Platteville help him both on the farm and in his off-farm jobs in agronomy sales. Daiton will graduate this December from Iowa State University with a double major in Agricultural Communications and Animal Science.

Thanks to the decision Walter and Elsie made 80 years ago, the Tietz family’s legacy lives on today.

Jordan, the fourth generation to farm this land, lives in the picturesque white farmhouse in the valley next to the old red barn. His favorite childhood memory is riding around with his Grandpa Leonard. He’s proud to continue living in his grandpa’s footsteps and hopes to continue his legacy.

Photo credit to Daiton Tietz

“The reason I get up every day and do what I do is to carry on the family legacy that was started years ago,” says Jordan. “I was raised on this farm. Farming is in my blood, and it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”

As we celebrate May Beef Month, find a recipe for the Iowa Beef Council below.

Team Latham

May 11, 2018

Beef, Recipes