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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Always Be Kind is Lesson #1

Mrs. Symens holds a writing conference with a sink.

As soon as you step inside Amy Symens’ first grade classroom at West Fork Elementary in Sheffield, Iowa, you can see what lessons are most important.

“Be kind. Be patient. Say please. Say thank you.” Positive messages and images of the Peanuts Gang fill the walls and bulletin boards. Students earn beads daily for positive behavior, such as showing respect and being cooperative, by getting a bead which is then placed on a string.

“Students are very impressionable at this age,” says Mrs. Symens, who is in her 15^th year of teaching. “I’m teaching them important skills like math, reading and science. I also feel that it’s important to teach good character. If my kids can come walk into my classroom where they feel safe, comfortable and respected, then they will perform better. They will come in here and want to learn. I want my class to be a bright spot in each kid’s day.”

Character lessons are reinforced with classroom activities. At the beginning of the school year, Mrs. Symens’ reads “Don’t Laugh at Me” by Steve Siskin and Allen Shamblin and Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes, which is about a little girl who gets laughed at for having an unusual name. To help show how wounds run deep, Mrs. Symens passes around a construction paper heart. Every time the girl gets her feelings hurt, a student crumples the heart. At the end of the book, she attempts to flatten out the paper heart. Folds and crumbles signify that we still have hurt feelings even after someone says, ‘I’m sorry.’ That’s why it’s important to always be kind.”

“Always be kind” is a lesson that Amy learned from her dad, who farmed near Rockwell. “My dad (Les Deardueff) was the kindest, most patient person. When we were growing up on the farm, he never yelled at us even when we accidentally took out rows of corn while cultivating. Instead, he created teaching moments.”

Teaching moments were plentiful in the Deardeuff household as Amy’s mom, Jo, taught elementary school before she got married. Jo then helped her husband farm. Together they raised five children, yet Mrs. Deardeuff still found time to substitute teach often.

Second grade students conduct a sink/float experiment with pumpkins when Mrs. Symens teaches Science in the fall.

Despite these great teaching role models, Amy didn’t embark on a teaching career immediately upon graduating from Rockwell High School. She earned an associate’s degree as a medical assistant from North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) and worked at the North Iowa Eye Clinic before making the move to the Principal Financial Group where she worked her way to assistant manager. Principal is on the Forbe’s list of the world’s best list of employers, yet Amy felt a calling to become a teacher. She continued to work full time during the days for four years while taking evening classes to earn her teaching certificate.

Once Amy completed student teaching, she stayed home with her three sons for seven years and also was an in-home daycare provider. She also coached volleyball at John Adams Middle School and basketball at Roosevelt Middle School during this time.

“When my youngest son started kindergarten, I accepted a job in Sheffield where I was a para for a year to be closer to home. Then a teaching job opened in Sheffield Elementary, so I applied for it and got it. I coached high school volleyball in Rockwell until my boys got old enough to be involved in their own sports. I didn’t want to miss their events, so I gave up coaching.”

She may have given up coaching, but Amy continued to make a difference in youth sports. After trying to juggle a full-time teaching job with getting her three sons to their various activities like Youth Sports Foundation (YSF) football in Mason City, Amy researched what it would take to get YSF started in Rockwell. She spent one summer completing all the necessary paperwork and raising funds for the equipment.

Involvement in sports has certainly influenced Amy’s sons. Her oldest son, Spencer Halloran, was a four-year, four-sport letter winner. Spencer is a senior at Houston Baptist University where he plays baseball and is majoring in business. Reese also was four-year, four-sport letter winner and was named 1^st Team All District Football. Reese graduated from West Fork High in 2016 and attends NIACC. Mitchell, a junior at West Fork High School, is following in his brothers’ footsteps as a four-sport athlete. He was named 2^nd Team All District Outside Linebacker in 2017 and currently is averaging 12 points as a starting shooting guard on the Warhawks basketball team.

In between attending her sons’ activities, you’ll find Amy preparing lessons for the classrooms. I had the opportunity to catch up with her recently in the classroom and visited with her about how she incorporates ag in the classroom. Amy often shares stories from her experiences growing up on the farm. She’s looking for a way to share incorporate experiences that she and her husband, Mark Symens, have on their farm.

“We have 15 heifers and cows that will calf between February and April. It would be cool to use technology to show my class these calves,” says Amy.

In the past, Amy made a time-lapse video that showed chicks hatching her in second grade classroom as part of North Iowa Ag in the Classroom. First grade Ag in the Classroom activities teach lessons about how farmers take care of their crops and livestock. Because everything comes from a seed, students sort different types of seeds with the objective of teaching them to identify field corn and soybeans.

“First grade students also learn about dairy and make butter, which they enjoy sampling on crackers,” says Amy. “Basically, students learn how farmers take care of plants and animals.”

Other Ag in the Classroom teach students important lessons about soil health. Students also learn that earthworms can indicate good soil health. You also can teach these lessons at home with Dirt Cake, which is a recipe that Mrs. Symens says is a hit with kids.

Team Latham

February 9, 2018

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

Young Farmers are “SOLD” on Teaching Ag in their Classrooms

Did you know Wisconsin’s state dairy product is cheese? (You’re probably thinking, ‘Of course it is!’) What you may not know is this wasn’t the case until a class of determined fourth graders and their dairy-loving teacher, along with 4th grade teachers Lynn Ross and Paige Grimm, helped get a bill passed in the Wisconsin Legislature in 2017 declaring it so.

Livia Doyle, who teaches fourth grade at Mineral Point Elementary in southwestern Wisconsin, enjoys opportunities to combine her farming roots with teaching students. At the start of each school year, Livia’s fourth grade class spends the first few weeks studying Wisconsin’s state symbols.

Agriculture and Government in the Classroom

“After researching and discussing the symbols, my students couldn’t believe Wisconsin didn’t have cheese as a state symbol, let alone that dairy products weren’t even on the symbols list. Enter social studies lesson! We contacted our local House and Senate members, sharing a proposal with reasons why cheese should become the next Wisconsin state symbol,” explained Livia. “I couldn’t have been more appreciative of how our elected officials dug in and helped me make this lesson reality for the class. Later that week the students’ proposal was drafted into a bill and a group of students and teachers from the Mineral Point district made the trek to Madison. The students testified in front of a joint committee hearing. The bill unanimously passed the House and Senate, and Governor Walker visited the school to sign the bill into law in front of the students.”

For Livia, agriculture in the classroom is a passion. Other classroom lessons have included making butter and ice cream, sampling real maple syrup, touring the Spudmobile to learn about Wisconsin’s potato industry and learning from classroom farmer guests how they raise cranberries and other Wisconsin staples. (Spoiler alert — Livia shared a fantastic recipe for Cranberry Cookies, which she makes for her students during their Cranberry unit. You’ll find it listed at the bottom of this post!) This past year she was recognized by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau for her outstanding work integrating agriculture and government into her curriculum.

“I enjoy opportunities to find purposeful ways to bring agriculture into my lesson plans and help my students understand how agriculture influences their life each and every day” said Livia.

“Big Brown Bug Bit A Big Brown Bear”

I first met Livia at a conference in Iowa. It always amazes me how small the agriculture community is as we quickly found common ground not only over a shared love of cheese and farming, but the Worldwide College of Auctioneering in (local to me) Mason City, Iowa.

Livia grew up on a 400-acre dairy farm where her passion for agriculture began. She completed a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from UW-Platteville before landing at the Mineral Point school district. In 2011, she married Justin Doyle. As Black Hawk School District High School Ag Instructor and FFA Advisor, he’s also a passionate instructor of Ag in the Classroom. In 2012, the couple launched a family-owned auctioneering business called On Point Auction Service, LLC. They’re raising their two children, Quayde and Gentry, on a beef farm with a Red Angus cow/calf herd.

While growing up, Livia and Justin spent a fair amount of time in their local sale barns. Auctioneering was a dream of Justin’s, so in the summer of 2012 the couple attended the Worldwide College of Auctioneering for training on bid calling and the business of auctioneering. Livia also received her certificate in bilingual auctioneering, learning techniques in both English and Spanish. One of those techniques is a warm-up tongue twister: “Big Brown Bug Bit a Big Brown Bear” “Big Brown Bug Bit a Big Brown Bear”. (I know I can’t say that 10times fast… yet. I may need some practice before I hit auction school!)

On Point Auction Service is a shared family business with a college friend, as well as Justin’s sister Melissa. They enjoy spending weekends together and helping customers get the best value for property sold at each and every event. While the business makes for some busy weekends, Livia regularly has this recipe for Cowboy Potatoes ready in the auction trailer to keep the crew operating On Point.

State Fair Cranberry Cookie

This is the recipe for the famous Wisconsin State Fair Cranberry Cookie sold at the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association booth during the Wisconsin State Fair.

2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened

2/3 cup brown sugar

2 large eggs

1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats

1-1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 6-ounce package sweetened dried cranberries

2/3 cup white chocolate chunks or chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Using an electric mixer, beat butter or margarine and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well.

In a separate mixing bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in sweetened dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Makes approximately 2-1/2 dozen cookies.

Gary Geske

February 2, 2018

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

Breaking Cancer’s Silence

guest blog by: Ann Foster Thelen, who also writes for the Iowa Food & Family Project, of which Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is a proud sponsor

Your mom has been diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer. When I heard those three words – inflammatory breast cancer – it was almost as if her doctors were speaking a foreign language. Of course, I was mindful of breast cancer, thanks to effective public awareness campaigns, education from doctors and regular screenings. But, it was that one word – inflammatory – that made all the difference. On Jan. 15, 2014, my family quickly learned about this aggressive cancer that would claim my sweet mom’s life in just a few short months.

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is rare, accounting for only 1-5 percent of all breast cancer diagnoses annually. It differs from other types of breast cancer in its symptoms, outlook and treatment. Often, a lump is not present.

When my mom’s cancer was diagnosed, it was already Stage IV. Cancer had spread to her lungs, bones, liver and lymph nodes. During a 24-hour period, our discussions went from “mom will need a mastectomy; possibly a double mastectomy,” to “how long does she have?”

My mom was humble, and in many ways, a private woman. Raised on a farm in Pomeroy, Iowa, she carried her early life lessons and experiences with her until the day she died. Her upbringing was exemplified in her strength, hard-working nature and appreciation of life’s simple pleasures.

Mom was the type of person who wore her emotions on her sleeve, and it’s something I cherished about her. You always knew what mom was thinking. Throughout life, she taught me it was OK to cry – saying that now and then we all just need a good cry. She taught me generosity and gratitude and the importance of being thankful every day. Along with my dad, she gave me the greatest gift of all – a strong faith.

While mom’s diagnosis was shocking – especially since there is no history of breast cancer in our family – there were some early signs, just not the ones Mom expected to have with breast cancer. Symptoms of IBC include breast swelling, purple or red color of the skin, and pitting or thickening of the skin of the breast so that it may look and feel like an orange peel. Due to this cancer’s ability to spread rapidly – sometimes in a matter of just days – by the time the symptoms are at this level, the cancer is often at an advanced stage.

That’s what is often most troubling about cancer – silent symptoms that don’t have “cancer” written on them. Silence while the cancer is quietly and aggressively wreaking havoc. Heart disease has long been referred to as the “silent killer.” However, thanks to the incredible work of the American Heart Association and people across the country – many of them our relatives, friends, neighbors or co-workers – the silence of heart disease is being broken. Survivors have given a powerful voice to the warning signs of heart disease.

We can do the same with cancer. Collectively, we can break the silence by listening to the signs – no matter how small they may be – and speaking up by telling our doctors about family history or unusual symptoms. We need to take advantage of the gifts of modern medicine that come in the form of mammograms, MRIs, colonoscopies and more.

Mom was 75 when she died, which is far too young. I’ll always remember that when faced with her terminal cancer diagnosis, she had a quiet strength about her – a different strength that I had not seen before. I think it was her way of giving her family one last gift – to be courageous, brave and strong as we struggled with the devastating reality. In her final days, I remember those attributes most.

In honor of my mom, I vowed that I would bring a voice to IBC. When discussions about parents come up, I share that I lost my mom to cancer four years ago. It would be easy to stop there, but I often share information about IBC and its rapid progression. Nine times out of 10, people (both men and women) are not aware of this type of cancer. Asking people to learn more about this cancer is how we break IBC’s deadly silence.

If detected early, we know that people have a fighting chance to beat cancer. Based on my new family history and increased risk, I have a 3D mammogram every June and a breast MRI every January. I also had genetic testing to see if there were any clinically significant mutations in the numerous cancer genes that were tested. Receiving a negative test result gave me a little peace of mind, yet it doesn’t change the fact that I must be vigilant in routine screenings. My husband had his first colonoscopy this week. We were surprised when the doctor informed us he removed four pre-cancerous polyps, which if they had not been detected could silently turn into cancer. We are grateful for these screening opportunities.

Cancer is a horrible, ugly disease that has likely touched every single person reading this article. I hope that together we can be a strong voice for cancer – breaking its silence – by learning early warning signs and faithfully doing routine screenings.

My mom was an amazing cook, and she instilled in me a love of cooking. Many years ago, we found this recipe in a Taste of Home magazine. It’s been a family favorite ever since. When Mom and Dad came to our house for dinner, they would frequently request this meal. The pork is mouth-watering and tender, and the glaze is bursting with flavor. I serve it with mashed potatoes and sugar snap peas. I often double the glaze recipe so that we can pour it over the slices of roast and potatoes!

Team Latham

January 26, 2018

Food & Family, Pork
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

National Popcorn Day

Today we pay tribute to the 1962 Master Homemaker
and Matriarch of the Latham family

In honor of National Popcorn Day we are featuring Evelyn Latham. Evelyn was very involved with the seed business when the company began and was very well-known for her hospitality, one of her most popular recipes was her popcorn balls.

To introduce Evelyn I’ve decided to begin with an excerpt from memories that she penned years ago for her family. “My story is one of love and hard work, interspersed with joys, tragedies, achievements, and a lot of family pride. I was born on December 17, 1916, to John A. and Nora Ladegaard Johansen at our farm home near Latimer, Iowa.”

“In 1947 Willard bought a large seed cleaner,” Evelyn writes in her memoir. “He built a trailer to transport it, and that was the beginning of our seed business. He made a home-made seed treated, and he and John Hill went from farm to farm to clean oats that were full of weeds and infected with smut fungus disease. They almost froze to death, so the next year Willard had farmers bring their oats to a shed on our farm where they could be cleaned and treated.

We soon outgrew that, so Willard remodeled our corn crib (granary). I’ll never forget how hard he worked putting in an elevator and machinery! He had a man helping him. When they started the equipment, they discovered the elevator wasn’t high enough. He was just sick about it. He came into the house and said, “Eve, come, we have to go for a ride”. So we went for a little ride. Then, of course, he had to rebuild it.”

Evelyn helped support Willard and their business in numerous ways. The family’s kitchen table served as the company’s office, so she made numerous trips daily from the house to the outbuildings whenever Willard was needed to a phone call. Known for her cooking skills and hospitality, it wasn’t unusual for Evelyn to feed a room full of hired men and customers.

In addition to serving as secretary and caterer in 1947, Evelyn was busy caring for four boys ranging in age from 6 to 1. (The Latham’s fifth son was born in July 1948.)

It’s no wonder Wallaces Farmer magazine recognized Evelyn as Iowa Master Farm Homemaker of the Year! An excerpt from the December 15, 1962, issue of Wallaces Farmer states, “Mrs. Willard Latham, Franklin County, shares her interest in music with her husband and sons… she loves music and likes to read when she has time.”

No matter how busy and full her life might have been, Evelyn was known for making time to share coffee and fellowship with family and friends. She was one of those rare people who put you at ease from the first meeting. When John first introduced me to her, Evelyn pulled me into a hug. Her smile reached her eyes as she told me how glad she was to meet me. In the next breath, she said, “Let’s go into the kitchen for some coffee and cookies. You’ll have some, won’t you? Sure you will.”Anyone who ever met Evelyn knows there is no choice but to make time for coffee and cookies.

In honor of National Popcorn Day we are sharing her recipe for popcorn balls. These are a big hit around the Christmas Holiday. We hope you’ll enjoy this family recipe as much as we do!

Team Latham

January 20, 2018

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

Recipe for a Healthy 2018: Eat Well. Move Well. Think Well.
Dr. Amy Michelle Willcockson, DC, CCWP Director of Live Healthy Iowa

Most New Year’s Resolutions focus on improving health and happiness but “get healthy” is ambiguous. Depending on which articles you read or the reports you listen to, eating healthier can be downright confusing or overwhelming.

“What I tell people is: Eat well. Move well. Think well. Set small achievable goals for short periods of time,” encourages Dr. Amy Michelle Willcockson, director of Live Healthy Iowa, which was created to strategically address Iowa’s growing obesity problem. Live Healthy Iowa brings together friends, families, businesses and communities in team-based wellness challenges designed to promote positive lifestyle change.

Dr. Willcockson says it’s best to create a baseline by getting a physical. Find out if all your numbers are in order: cholesterol, sugars and body fat percentage / body mass index (BMI). Keep track of where you are and strive for better balance. Work at getting just 10 percent better in any one area.

“Focus on just one 10 percent increment at a time,” she says. “Don’t look at the insurmountable. Literally just take a step in the right direction. Then take the next step.”

To get 10 percent better in any one area, Dr. Willcockson offers this practical advice:
- Eat Well. Try to have one different colored fruit and vegetable on your plate at each meal. Pack snacks to enjoy as mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks in the office or on the road. Be sure to include a healthy fat with fruits and veggies. “Grab and go” foods might include: 1/3 cup hummus with 12 baby carrots; ¼ cup almonds or walnuts with 8 large strawberries; or 1 cup cherry tomatoes with 1 ounce of plain cheese curds.
- Move Well. Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. Park further away from the building you’re going to enter. As a society, we need to change the way we think about how we workout. Google “interval training” or “burst training,” and get ideas for workouts that are from 5 to 15 minutes long.
- Think Well. Does your self-talk need to be more positive? Maybe you struggle with depression or have an unresolved issue with a family member or friend. Get a stack of positive affirmation cards and begin the day by reading one or watch a motivational YouTube video every morning.
“Find solutions,” says Dr. Willcockson. “It’s so classic to think, ‘I just cheated on my diet, so I may as well have another cookie.’ Or, ‘I can’t make it to the gym, so what’s the point in exercising?’ Be stronger than your excuses! What can you do to incorporate more movement into your daily routine? Eat a healthy breakfast and then get your metabolism going for 5 or 10 minutes. Do squats while brushing your teeth, 30 seconds at a time. Do jumping jacks while waiting for your coffee. Do some lounges while you’re blow drying your hair.”

The benefits of regular exercise are innumerable, adds Dr. Willcockson. To encourage people to get moving, Live Healthy Iowa offers quarterly challenges. In 2017 alone, 14,899 people participated in the 10-Week Wellness Challenge and logged 32,287,019 minutes of physical activity and lost a total of 36,654 pounds. Results of the 10-Week Challenge since 2002 are:
- 339,605 participants
- 1,222,406 pounds lost
- 660,184,13 minutes logged
Step Up to the Challenge!
Become part of the network of support and education through the 2018 10-Week Challenge. Family members, friends, neighbors, church groups, or companies and businesses can sign up teams. Because activity is recorded online, teams can include members from different towns, states and countries.

The 16^th annual 10-week challenge begins Jan. 22, so click here to learn more or to sign up now! All you need to do is get online and get moving.

“The programs that Live Healthy Iowa hosts are designed to help people engage in a team environment that helps hold them accountable with camaraderie,” says Dr. Willcockson. “Our programs are flexible and affordable. Programs like the 10-Week Challenge provide a catalyst for lifestyle changes.”

“We do what we do because we want you to be there for the important moments in your life and for the important people in your life,” adds Dr. Willcockson. “You can’t be there – in so many ways – if you’re not healthy. Set goals to bike with young kids, get down on the floor and play or take the trips you want. Be there by eating well, moving well and thinking well.”

To help us eat well, Dr. Willcockson is sharing with us one of her favorite ways to incorporate more vegetables into her diet. I have to admit, I’m looking forward to trying fried cauliflower in place of fried rice in a stir fry recipe this weekend.
Team Latham

January 12, 2018

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

Character Counts in Mrs. Hemesath’s Classroom

We live in a world of transparency from production agriculture and our food system to reality television and social media statuses. In perfect correlation, our character and morals transparently follow us.

The 460+ students that Mrs. Hemesath has taught during the past 23 years have learned that character counts. She has spent time in the resource department, offering specialized guidance for those in math, reading and language. Most of her career has been spent in full grade classrooms, however. Mrs. Hemesath is serving her tenth year as a first-grade teacher at John Cline Elementary in Decorah, Iowa.

Mrs. Hemesath believes in treating everyone equally and fairly as demonstrated by one of her most memorable moments in the classroom:

“One year I had the opportunity to teach my nephew, James. I didn’t want other parents or students to realize this, so I never mentioned it to anyone and surprisingly, neither did James until one day in November. I hadn’t told anyone that it was my birthday, but of course James knew. He told the class before school while they were lining up. When I opened the door, the children were all excited, wishing me “Happy Birthday!” Overwhelmed with shock, I noticed Grace at the end of the line with a very sad face. I said, “Grace, what is the matter?” She said, “If you are James’ aunt, does that mean that you love him more than you love me?” I said as I hugged her, “Oh Grace, I love you all the same, just in a different way!”

I may be biased about the positive character exhibited by Mrs. Hemesath (otherwise known as mom for me) carries, but it’s hard to deny her intentions are not only clear but influential. She influences so many others by the number of hats she wears: wife, mother, grandma, volunteer, aunt, sister, daughter and teacher.

She claims her students have made more of an impact on her life, but it is easy to see that Mrs. Hemesath the one making a positive impression. The mother of one of her students said, “Mrs. Hemesath truly nurtured Liv’s confidence. We will be forever grateful for all her hard work.”

Above are four former students that Mrs. Hemesath’s invited to her house to make ornaments and decorate cookies. They still write her letters and give gifts so she decided to invite them over as a thank you.

My modest mom would never take credit for the large amount of personal growth her students experience within her class. She teaches them soft skills by example that often get overlooked. It’s teachers like Mrs. Hemesath who build the foundation for students’ positive attitude, pride, determination and respect for generations to come. We are thankful to have them serving our communities!

Each year on Martin Luther King Day, Mrs. Hemesath does a class activity to help her students understand that it doesn’t matter what we look like, the clothes we wear or the home we come from because we are all the same inside. She lets students crack brown eggs and white eggs. They literally see that even if we don’t look the same on the outside, we are the same on the inside. Then she uses the recipe below to fry the eggs in an electric skillet in front of the class, so they can all enjoy a healthy snack.

You can’t hide the good character of a person I’m fortunate to call my mom, Mrs. Hemesath.

“I don’t know what lies around the bend, but I’m going to believe the best does. As a first grade teacher, you know your students may not remember exactly what you teach them, but they will always remember how you made them feel,” says Mrs. Hemesath.

___

Rural communities are the backbone of our country. Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds recognizes and appreciates the many boots our employees, dealers and customers wear to keep rural America healthy. Help us serve those who serve us by nominating someone in your life to feature on https://www.lathamseeds.com and social media channels.

Webspec Admin

January 5, 2018

Food & Family, Poultry
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

10 Ideas to Make Your Own Sundae Sunday
Making homemade ice cream is a holiday tradition for many families worldwide. Festive flavors range from Christmas Pudding in England to mince pie ice cream in the South. My mom has been known to substitute peppermint ice cream for vanilla to create a holiday version of the famous Buster Bar Dessert. My husband’s grandmother, Evelyn Latham, was known for making ice cream dessert.

Earlier this week my mom said she was making homemade vanilla ice cream for one of her Christmas celebrations. With two holidays falling on Sundays this month, my mind immediately went to “Sundae Sundays.” Doesn’t that sound like a fun way to welcome in the New Year with family or friends?

DIY sundae bars are simple, yet they can make the best memories for kids. I remember my mom created a sundae bar when I was a young 4-H member and club meetings rotated between homes. That was before Pinterest or even Google! It was something no one else in my club had offered, and it was a hit.

The secret to a successful sundae bar is offering a variety of toppings that are sweet and salty. Examples include:
1. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries (or even brandied cherries)
2. Toasted coconut flakes
3. Homemade Granola with cranberries, apples, cinnamon, pecans
4. Banana slices, pineapple and mango (fresh or dried)
5. Chopped nuts
6. Sprinkles and mini marshmallows
7. Andes Mints (you can purchase them already chopped)
8. Mini M&M’s and Mini Reese’s peanut butter cups
9. Chopped-up Oreo cookies
10. Chocolate and butterscotch chips
You can purchase sauces from the store, but we prefer to make our own. The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, offers a tasty recipe for Easy Caramel Sauce. My mom makes a sweet Strawberry Ice Cream Topping. Today I’m sharing a recipe for Easy Hot Fudge Sauce, which is a recipe that my neighbor lady often made when I was growing up and hosted our family for supper. It’s also the same recipe that was such a hit at my 4-H club meeting so many years ago.

What makes Christmas for your family? We’d love for you to share your traditions with us. Click below to read about family traditions of some of our Latham® dealers and customers:
Team Latham

December 22, 2017

Desserts, Food & Family
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Conventional Wisdom Doesn’t “Checkout” for Iowa Shoppers
Guest blog post by Lindsey Foss, Public Relations Manager at the Iowa Soybean Association

As consumers’ education levels and household income increase, so too does their trust in modern agriculture and today’s food system, says the latest Consumer Pulse Survey. In contrast, Iowans with less disposable income report being more concerned with how and where their food is grown.

The annual poll, administered Nov. 10-14 by the Iowa Food & Family Project (Iowa FFP), surveyed more than 400 Iowans ages 18 and older who are the primary food purchasers for their household. Now in its sixth year, the Consumer Pulse Survey gauges consumers’ food preferences, tracks shopping habits and keeps in touch with Iowans’ overall confidence in Iowa agriculture.

“The Consumer Pulse Survey provides perspectives that challenge conventional wisdom as it relates to interacting with consumers about food topics,” said Aaron Putze, director of communications at the Iowa Soybean Association. “One would assume that with increased income and education comes greater discernment over food choices. At the macro level, this survey shows that important socioeconomic factors hold great influence over consumers’ purchases and, ultimately, their confidence in how their food is grown and raised.”

“Trust” is on the menu this holiday season

Four out of 5 respondents are satisfied with Iowa agriculture from how animals are raised and cared for to farmers being stewards of air, soil and water quality. Specifically:
- 57% say farmers are doing a good to excellent job in protecting Iowa’s air, soil and water (up 7% from 2016)
- 39% say farmers do an excellent job producing safe, quality foods (up 12% from 2016)
- 35% say farmers do an excellent job in raising healthy animals with care (up 9% from 2016)
“Food purchasers have consistently given Iowa farmers high approval ratings since the Iowa Food & Family Project’s inaugural consumer trust survey,” said Laura Cunningham, marketing manager of Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds. “I was encouraged to see in 2017 that a record number of respondents said farmers are on the right track with water quality, animal housing and biotechnology and are overall good community members and environmentalists. That’s the same experience I have working with farmer-customers, too.”

“Trendy” labels push expiration dates

Food labels such as “organic” and “all natural” showed a continued downward trend among survey respondents in terms of influencing their purchasing decision. Just 27% said they’re likely to purchase an item labeled organic, down 6% from 2016. A survey record 52 percent of respondents say the notation doesn’t affect their shopping habits. In fact, 1 in 5 shoppers is less likely to purchase food labeled organic.

“This is interesting because USDA Organic forecasted increases in organic-labeled products through 2018,” said Anne Hytrek, Hy-Vee Dietitian (Ankeny Prairie Trail) and Certified Diabetes Educator. “These results make me wonder if Iowans are learning more of the differences — or lack thereof — in ‘organic’ or ‘all natural’ foods and discovering these labels may not necessarily mean food is healthier.”

The assumption doesn’t apply to all consumers, however. According to the survey, shoppers without advanced education are more than twice as likely than those with a college degree to say attributes such as organic and all-natural are extremely influential in their purchase decisions.

Responses show that college graduates whose household incomes exceed the state median of $54,000 are, at large, more trusting of modern agriculture and that food is of good quality.

“The survey results demonstrate that more affluent consumers are more likely to ask questions when they have concerns, focus more on specific ingredients and are not easily swayed by labels or clever advertising campaigns,” said Putze.

The results were also reassuring for Cunningham.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the survey findings that food labels like ‘organic’ and ‘all natural’ have little to no influence on actual purchases made,” said Cunningham. “Given all the media attention on water quality and food labeling, I would’ve expected different results. I’m convinced that ongoing, proactive efforts by Iowa farmers and industry advocates are making a positive impact and will continue to result in increased consumer confidence.”

The Consumer Pulse Survey results shows Iowans are more trusting than ever in farmers to raise healthy animals and safe, quality foods — and for good reason! Iowa is No. 1 in pork production and is among the nation’s leaders in growing soybeans, which means you can enjoy delicious, homegrown ingredients this holiday season, like in this Cheesy Ham & Edamame Pasta Bake. It’s the perfect hearty casserole for leftover Christmas ham or to enjoy on a chilly winter day.
Team Latham

December 15, 2017

Food & Family, Pork
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

New Latham® Dealer is Jack of Many Trades

It’s common for seed representatives to farm, but Kevin Hildring of Larchwood in Northwest Iowa is involved with the agriculture industry in another way. He works for a small firm that does environmental and nutrient management consulting.

“I farmed for a number of years,” explains Kevin. “It feels like I’m still farming most days because I help farmers with fertilizer, soil sampling, and various aspects on their farm. I really enjoy that aspect of my job.”

Kevin has worn many different hats throughout his career. He worked in the animal pharmaceutical industry for more than 30 years with Elanco where he was a part of the vaccination development team. He helped engineer new vaccines for more efficient protein production. He still relies on this expertise and does some private consulting for smaller pharmaceutical companies, especially when they are working to develop a new product for the marketplace. He also has managed approximately 900 acres of farm ground for the last 30 years.

“I enjoy farm management because I’m able to see how the industry has evolved over the years,” he says. “It is really amazing to see how things have changed and improved in the time I managed the land.”

Managing all of these projects could be challenging, but it really fits Kevin’s education and interests. He earned a degree in Strategic Management and then an MBA, focusing on Operations and Project Management, from Colorado Tech University.

When Kevin is off the clock, he enjoys spending time with his family. His wife is a retired school teacher. They have two sons, Nick and Ben, and one daughter, Anna. Nick works in the insurance industry. Ben is enlisted in the military service, and Anna is a school teacher. They also have two grandsons. Kevin also enjoys gardening, reading, traveling and scuba diving.

“I got into scuba diving simply because it was always something I wanted to do. They have a scuba shop, as well as classes, in Sioux Falls so I enrolled. My wife and I take a trip to the Caribbean each year because I really enjoy diving there.”

Kevin has followed a unique career path in agriculture that allows him to offer a unique perspective to his farmer customers. We feel fortunate that he chose to partner with Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds and are excited to see what the new year brings for his Latham dealership!

“I believe Latham is a really good fit for me. I really enjoy the family aspect of the company and I have enjoyed getting to the entire staff,” he says. “I’m excited to get started!”

Webspec Admin

December 8, 2017

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

“Learning by Doing” Translates into Teens Managing Their Own Acres

Some parents supervise their children as they do homework. Others even help their teenagers work through Math story problems. When your parents are lifelong farmers and your mother also is a school teacher, chances are you’ll learn how the classroom applies to agriculture.

Meet the Bell family of Washington, Iowa. Kerri moved to Washington County nearly 30 years ago and shortly thereafter she accepted a teaching job nearby. She and her husband, Lance, are raising their twin teenage daughters on the farm.

“I teach. Lance farms. We each have our passions, but our operation is a family effort where we enjoy making memories together,” says Kerri, who grew up raising and showing Suffolk sheep on the Krafka family farm near Dysart, Iowa. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. If you love what you do, it doesn’t seem like work but instead it’s a way of life.”

And what a full life it is! A former 4-H member, Kerri became an active volunteer in Washington County 4-H after she and Lance were married. She served on the Washington County Fair Sheep Department Committee for more than a decade. She was elected to the Washington County Extension Council and served on that council until their twin girls were born. Then Kerri stepped back from volunteering until her girls were in kindergarten and joined Clover Kids. Kerri once again became active in Washington County 4-H and Washington County Extension Service where she eventually was elected to the Washington County 4-H Youth Committee.

The 4-H slogan is “learning by doing,” and that’s also Kerri’s mantra. She and Lance put that slogan into practice by providing every day, real-life experiences for their daughters. Ellie and Sophie have raised and shown Polish and Champagne D’Argent rabbits through Bell Sisters Rabbitry since 2011.

In fact, rabbits were the girls’ first livestock project. Ellie and Sophie wanted to learn and grow independently of what their parents had done when they were in 4-H. The girls researched breeds and met with other rabbit breeders across the state to get started. They like these two breed because Polish show in four class divisions and Champagne D’Argents show in six divisions. Now the girls are researching cattle breeds to further diversify their farming operation and to make use of pasture the family has available.

Transitioning from breeding show rabbits to producing beef cattle is one example of how Ellie and Sophie have accepted more responsibility with age.

“From the time our twin daughters were born, they were riding on a tractor or in the combine,” says Kerri. “They’ve helped as much as they could at the age and stage they were.”

Earning their Way
To compensate them for their work, Lance and Kerri started giving an acre of corn and soybeans to each of their daughters when they were in third grade. Ellie and Sophie have had to market their grain in at least a half-acre increment and then deposit that amount into their savings accounts each crop season.

“The girls each got a smartphone in third grade. Their first app was Kat’s Grain, so they could watch the markets daily. Lance receives text messages to ‘sell now’ as the girls watch closely to get the best market price. Giving them these real-life experiences helps them for the next steps.”

You name it, and Kerri says her daughters have probably experienced it on the farm. Ellie and Sophie have learned to do field work ahead of the planter, run tillage equipment after planting, fill the planter, run water tanks here and there, fill fertilizer tanks, gather seed, repair equipment, trouble shoot, mow, help burn CRP, clean bins, haul and unload grain, and more.

These farming experiences are shared by three generations of family. Lance began farming full time with his parents, Pete and Carol Bell, after he completed the Iowa State University Farm Operations Program. Their roles have changed with time. Today Lance manages the farming operation and Pete assists where needed.

Pete and Carol also are providing farming and learning experiences for their granddaughters by them the opportunity to crop share. (Click here to watch a video of the Bell twins harvesting their first crop share.) Ellie and Sophie have met with their family’s crop insurance agent to complete their crop insurance for their crops. They talk with seed dealers and order their own seed. They choose their own fertilizer, chemicals and insecticides. They already had a working relationship with our grain marketing firm, so they can call and make decisions based on their prior knowledge and gain expert advice as needed.

The Bell sisters’ on-farm experience is enhanced by their FFA experiences. Or should we say their FFA experiences are enhanced by their on-farm experiences?

“Competing in statewide competitions, completing programs, filling out applications and attending functions across the state gave me many opportunities that I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise,” says Kerri. “My twin daughters have stepped into this same role and are loving it, too. Their FFA Advisor, Mr. Trent Steinhart, sees their passion for FFA and agriculture. His wisdom and inspiration has allowed them to expand their vision of where they hope to be after high school and college.”

Ellie and Sophie were the first girls to take an interest in the FFA Land Lab where they each had to invest $1,000 along with eight fellow FFA members. They do exactly what they do in their crop share experience with their grandparents to better understand the process of farming.

Last spring Ellie and Sophie received greenhand awards. Together they were their chapter’s top fruit saleswomen as freshmen. Sophie was elected Washington FFA reporter and Ellie was elected FFA historian. Both teens are serving as South East District FFA Ambassadors. They manage the Washington FFA Twitter(@washffa) page and write articles for area media promoting their chapter. They have numerous SAE projects including their rabbitry and crop share.

They also remain active members of the Green Acres 4-H Club. Ellie is serving as 4-H club president and Sophie is treasurer. They graduated from the Washington County 4-H Leadership Development Team and were recently inducted into the Washington County 4-H County Council, working closely with Washington County 4-H youth coordinator, Amy Green, who is another mentor to them.

They Bells also plant a large garden and exhibit their produce at the Washington County Fair. Ellie and Sophie each enter an abundance of 4-H projects at the county fair, and many of these projects have been selected for the Iowa State Fair 4-H Exhibits Building. The Bell sisters’ project areas include: Home Improvement, Food and Nutrition, Crop Production, Sewing, Communications, Personal Development, Woodworking, Photography, Health, Consumer Management, Citizenship, Leadership, Gardening, Horticulture, Child Development, Mechanics, Pride of Iowa, as well as educational presentations and working exhibits. They also serve as Clover Kids mentors. In addition, both Ellie and Sophie have earned variety of county project awards, including outstanding record book, outstanding junior and intermediate awards, and intermediate citizenship awards.

Apples Don’t Fall Far from the Trees
While the iGeneration often make headlines for using “individualized technology,” the Bell family uses technology to make decisions together on their family farm. Ellie and Sophie are proof positive that the “texting and multi-tasking generation” still engages with others and remains involved with the community. They’re following their parents’ examples.

As lifelong farmers, Lance and Kerri became active in the Washington County Corn Growers Association when they were first married. They put a lot of effort into promoting this organization and have served in every capacity in the county organization. Lance is president of the Washington County Corn Growers and serves as president of the District 9 Iowa Corn Growers Association. He serves on a state committee, as well.

“Our family is passionate about sharing our farm story,” says Kerri. On November 29, 2017, they created a booth and helped host the BioFuels Educational Trailer at Kirkwood Community College for Washington Center Family STEM Night. Last spring they participated in an ICGA video and produced a flyer/video for the Washington County Corn Growers banquet. They also have represented their county, district and state at the Commodity Classic in once Nashville, twice in San Antonio and are making arrangements for a trip next spring to Anaheim.

“Through these experiences we’ve all grown. Making connections with fellow corn farmers across the county, district, state and nation to make us stronger in our own family operation,” adds Kerri. “These opportunities have given Ellie and Sophie a stronger base of communication skills, knowledge to grow and learn to make your operation better, a better work ethic and pride in sharing your story with those who share the same passions as you.”

“We are optimistic of what our future in farming holds as both daughters intend to major in agriculture and return home to carry on our farming operation,” adds Kerri. “No matter where they end up, as long as they take pride in their work and enjoy it, we’ll be proud of them.”

The Bell family works hard but also finds time to relax on their farm. Fishing, canoeing and stand up paddle boarding on their farm pond are a few of their favorite pastimes. They also enjoy cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones, DIY projects, gardening and cooking or baking together.

At the 2017 Washington County Fair, Ellie and Sophie were selected as the Grand Champion Team for the Pride of Iowa cooking contest with their Gluten Free Fruit Pizza entry. Their father, Lance, was diagnosed with Celiac Disease nearly 14 years ago. Their family has learned a lot about gluten-free cooking, so it’s only natural these outstanding 4-H’ers would share what they learned with others.

The Pride of Iowa competition is a favorite of Ellie and Sophie’s because they prepare recipes, featuring Iowa foods, in front of an audience. Participating 4-H members then serve their food and share the recipe with audience members. Today their sharing their award-winning recipe with us on The Field Position!

Team Latham

December 1, 2017

Agriculture, General, Industry News, Recipes, Sides