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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

6th Generation Farmers Teaching by Example

Just shy of 30 miles from where they originally met, Mike and Mary Beth Jackson are carrying on a legacy of the land. They’ve made their home in the house that Mike’s great great grandfather built in 1908, and they’re proud to be the 6th generation living on their family’s 125-year-old farm.

Like most little boys who grow up on a family farm, Mike wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and farm. He grew up east of Oskalooa, Iowa, which is about 60 miles southeast of Des Moines. Mike was involved in FFA through high school, where he raised sheep for his Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE). As a large believer in the SAE program, he explains that the experience gave him and other classmates a good dose of the reality in the agricultural industry.

Mike graduated from Muscatine Community College with a degree in Feed and Fertilizer Management. Knowing that would provide him with practical knowledge, he knew it would help him pave his way back to the farm with a unique skillset.

Following graduation, Mike didn’t hesitate to put his degree to work. He built his first 1,200 head SEW (segregated early wean) swine building and began farming with his father, Mark and Uncle Tom. He and his family knew that expanding their operation into the swine industry would help present the farming opportunity for more family members.

Mike farms with his wife, father and uncle. He raises corn, soybeans and run three custom-fed swine buildings. Mike is also a Latham® Seed dealer.

“We have always been familiar with the Latham® Seeds brand as being one notch above the rest,” Mike said. “Aside from their superior products, I wanted to work for a family owned seed company located in the area I would serve.”

Initially attracted to the idea of cover crops for yield bump, Mike explained that he quickly learned that building soil health and building yield went hand in hand.

The Jacksons started using cover crops in 2015. They wanted to experiment to see what best fit their land, so they started with a few small trials. They liked what they saw and flew rye on 290 acres of standing corn. The positive impact on erosion and nutrient control peeked Mikes interest. In the winter of 2015, he bought a drill and drilled nearly 600 acres. Mike started a trend as he started custom drilling cover crops for other area farmers.

“In the short-term, we have noticed the most benefit of cover crops with erosion and nutrient control,” Mike said. “I am looking forward to seeing the positive results continue and translate into a yield bump.”

Mike and Mary Beth met at the city square in Pella, Iowa. Mike smiles and says, “Like most small towns in Iowa back in the 90s, our weekend nights consisted of driving around the town square and seeing who we would run in to.”

Married in 2008, Mike and Mary Beth were happy to build on their interest in agriculture together. Mike explains that he can constantly count on Mary Beth. She manages the books and is always willing to prepare meals and help run equipment during the busy seasons.

Sharing a passion to tell their agricultural story, Mike and Mary Beth joined the Iowa Farm Bureau Young Advisory Committee. Their passion for modern agriculture is clear and they enjoy helping other young farmers work through similar situations.

Mike and Mary Beth are raising the Jackson Farms’ 7th generation, sharing their love for agriculture with their 3 children Arianna (soon to be 9), Jonathon (6) and Mack (3). Mike explains that raising a family on the farm gives him and Mary Beth the chance to teach their children by example.

“Farming for us is a lifestyle, sharing our passion with the family.” Mike says. “It’s carrying on the legacy for the next generation.”

Today the Jackson’s are sharing Mikes favorite snack with us – Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Peppers. YUM!

Webspec Admin

February 24, 2017

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

Disney to Debut “Magic of Seeds” Garden this Spring

During the general session of the American Seed Trade Association’s Vegetable & Flower Conference on Monday in Orlando, an exciting partnership was announced between ASTA and Disney World Resorts. Pictured here are Eric Darden and Debbie Mola Mickler, two long-time members of Disney’s horticulture team, who shared how the evolution of horticulture and landscape design at theme parks contribute to the Disney experience.

Seed innovations will take center stage this spring during the 24th Annual EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, March 1- May 29, at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. More than 7 million guests from around the world will visit during this 90-day festival.

The 2017 festival will feature an American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) garden outside the popular Living with the Land Pavilion to tell the story of seeds and the importance of plant breeding. The display will feature kale from 100 years ago plus varieties available today. It also will show how plant breeding has led to the evolution of Dianthus flowers.

Signage by the garden, including story boards closely based on ASTA’s “Better Seed, Better Life” communications initiative, will bring to life the story of plant breeding in a very public way by the experienced storytellers of Disney’s Horticulture team. Language is still being finalized, but it will likely read something like:

“Throughout time, the tiny seed has played a pivotal role in feeding the world. Protecting a new plant inside its strong coat, a seed waits patiently for growing conditions. Early farmers chose their most successful plants and collected the best seed for future crops. Later, they learned to mix pollen between plants to select desirable traits. Modern breeders use technology at molecular levels to produce new and improved varieties. The food we eat, clothes we wear and fuel that powers our car all began with a seed planted in the ground. Today’s plant breeders create higher yield and variations in color, size, hardiness, taste, nutrition and disease resistance. Better seed = better life.”

Also as part of the Disney-ASTA partnership that was announced last Monday during the ASTA Vegetable & Flower Conference in Orlando, seed industry speakers will deliver a series of presentations during the festival’s opening week. Festival attendees will receive Tomatosphere seed packets with Better Seed, Better Life branding.

In addition, ASTA’s Communications Committee is planning promotions around the 2017 Flower & Garden Festival at EPCOT. Committee members will tour the gardens with festival director Eric Darden. Admittedly, I’m looking forward to “embarking a mouthwatering mission” while enjoying a wholesome smorgasbord provided by the World Showcase. Outdoor Kitchens, each offering a specialty menu of farm-to-table inspired foods, are exclusive to this festival. Two outdoor kitchens will debut in 2017. One of the most popular Outdoor Kitchen gardens, Urban Farm Eats, will return to inspire growing numbers of guests interested in learning how to raise their own edibles.

Join the fun! Even if you aren’t able to travel to Orlando, you can take your taste buds spring break with Disney-inspired recipes. Today we’re sharing a recipe for candied strawberries that were inspired by the Flower & Garden Festival. Also be sure to check out the new board “Disney Dishes” on Latham Seeds’ Pinterest Page where you’ll find recipes for everything from Queso Fundido – which looks fitting for any Super Bowl party – to comfort foods like Chicken Pot Pie Soup.

Team Latham

February 3, 2017

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

A Gisleson Legacy in Floyd, Iowa

Forty-seven years ago, the Gisleson family had extra silage and decided to make the most of it. They bought a trailer and fed out heifers. They also lost $40/head, so Jon Gisleson decided to start selling seed. A nearby dealer recommended that Jon take a look at starting a Latham® Seed Dealership.

He did. The rest is history.

“The Lathams have always provided me with the most consistent soybean products,” Jon says. “They have been off-the-charts consistent for 47 years and counting.” After selling in the seed industry for so long, Jon says he’s learned that “you can’t just be good, you need to be better.”

Looking back, Jon says adversity turned into opportunity. He likely wouldn’t have considered a seed dealership without the need to supplement his income – and yet it’s turned out to be a job he truly enjoys. Jon is grateful for the relationships he’s built over the years, and for being able to provide dependable service and products to his customers.

Jon and his wife Ardis, who goes by Adri, live on the Gisleson century farm where his great-grandfather settled in 1895. Adri never thought she’d marry a farmer – and Jon didn’t dream of marrying a high school English teacher – but they’ve made a happy life together for nearly 40 years. They have three grown children: Max, Annie and Sarah. They also have two grandchildren, Jaceil (pronounced Jay-seal) and 4-year-old Russell.

Staying busy in his community has always been important to Jon. He is president of his church, a member of the school board and also serves on the Osage Education Foundation board.

Today we are sharing a recipe that Jon’s family started making in the mid-1980s as a staple for graduations and many other get-togethers over the years. Jon promises that “it’s always popular for groups large and small, and it holds well.”

Shannon Latham

January 27, 2017

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

Adam Faust, Finalist for Wisconsin Young Farmer, Focuses on Quality over Quantity
Latham® dealer Adam Faust of Chilton, Wisc., is one of five finalists for the 64th Wisconsin Outstanding Young Farmer (OYF) Award that will be presented January 27-29, 2017, in Baraboo. The OYF award is based 50 percent on progress in ag career, 25 percent on soil and water conservation, and 25 percent on contributions to community, state or nation.

Adam has been an exclusive Latham dealer for 14 years, plus he milks 70 primarily registered Holstein cows and raises about 500 acres of crops. He’s also active in several community and civic organizations. He’s president of the Calumet County Forage Council and has been largely responsible for planning both its 2016 and 2017 annual conventions. Adam has served for several years on the county dairy promotion board. He’s a member of Farmers Union and the county Holstein breeders organization, as well.

This sounds like a lot of hard work for anyone, but it’s especially admirable when you learn that Adam was born with spina bifida. This condition results in a baby being born with an open spinal column and exposed spinal tissues. Although the spinal opening can be surgically repaired, nerve damage is permanent and results in varying degrees of paralysis in the lower limbs. Because people with spina bifida have mobility issues, many are in wheelchairs.

Mobility issues obviously present unique challenges to farmers, so Adam has become a volunteer and advocate for AgrAbility. AgrAbility partnered with Easter Seals and the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to help Adam realize his dream of farming independently. For example, custom steps were built to make it easier for Adam to climb into the tractor cab. AgrAbility also provided bins, so Adam no longer has to lift 100-pound bags of feed for the calves and heifers.

AgriAbility, DVR and Easter Seals – as well as input from dairy industry mentors – helped Adam implement a major renovation to his barn and parlor. Work began the day after the 2016 World Dairy Expo ended in October, and it came together in about two months. Adam milked cows in his new facilities for the first time on Christmas Day 2015.

“I knew the stalls in our old facility were too small to be comfortable for the cows I wanted to milk. I didn’t want to raise smaller, more compact cows. I favor big, powerful cows that are good at converting forage into milk. Why try to change what the cow naturally is?” says Adam. “When it came down to it, I realized I didn’t want to milk more cows. I just want to milk better cows, so building a big new facility didn’t make sense. I had to find my way own forward.”

Modifying his family’s dairy facilities had been on Adam’s mind since 1999, when he completed short courses in both Agronomy and Dairy from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He researched popular dairy systems in Europe and Canada. He visited state-of-the-art systems throughout Wisconsin, and he sought input from his friends and industry leaders including Tom Kestell, whose cow set the world record for milk production in 2013 and again in 2016.

“I was talking with Tom (Kestell) one day and he said, ‘There’s nothing wrong with your barn walls and roof. What’s in the middle can be changed. There’s no better environment for a dairy cow than a tie-stall, so let’s design what you need’,” said Adam. “Who am I am to argue with that? So we made a plan.”

Three goals set the direction for Adam’s barn renovation project:
1. Build the ultimate in cow comfort.
2. Provide the most technology and gather the most information possible.
3. Be labor efficient and accessible to someone with disabilities.
Deep bedded stalls cushioned with a byproduct of paper recycling provide the ultimate in cow comfort, are sustainable and turn landfill waste into useful bedding. Fibers that are too small for paper production get sifted out, mixed with fine lime and used to make animal bedding.

“A local company started doing this about 10 years old and has refined its product over time,” says Adam. “It’s extremely popular in our part of the state because we have a large paper industry and a large dairy industry. Twenty semi loads per day of paper byproducts go to farms now rather than landfills! It’s sustainable, as well as economical, plus it’s great for the cows.”

Another change Adam made to improve cow comfort was installing tiled mangers. “I don’t know anyone who would rather eat off concrete instead of a plate, so it made sense to me that cows would prefer eating off a smoother surface,” says Adam. “My cows eat more and the feed stays fresher on the tile.”

The use of technology allows Adam to tell if there’s something wrong with a cow before she knows she’s not feeling well. New milk units have sensors that communicate with dairy management software in his farm office. All of his dairy herd improvement (DHI) testing is wireless, meter-less and in-house.

Additional technology allows milking equipment to ride on a track, which eliminates Adam from having to carry anything or crossing the gutter. Adam says this system is very popular in Canada and Europe. He also toured two Wisconsin dairies where the tract system is used.

Adam is passionate about everything from new seed technologies to the genetics in his dairy operation, so it was no surprise to learn he earned the Wisconsin State Farmer Degree. He also won the FFA Gold Proficiency Dairy twice. We congratulate him on being named a finalist in the Wisconsin Young Farmer Award and wish him the best of luck at next week’s conference!

To help promote the high quality dairy products Adam produces, today we’re sharing a smoothie recipe that he developed with a friend. It incorporates RumChata because the dairy co-op to which Adam belong markets its milk for the production of RumChata and Culver’s Frozen Custard.

SIDE NOTE: If you’re never before tried it, consider making RumChata hot chocolate. Just add 2 oz. of RumChata to 6 oz. of your favorite hot chocolate. It’s a great way IMO to warm up on a cold winter’s evening. #nightcap
Team Latham

January 20, 2017

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

Fried Chicken and Pizza Among this Year’s Hottest Food Trends

Prep your palate for ice cream roll ups, faux meat, grilled chicken hearts—and then some.

I’ll admit this line from Condé Nast Traveler hooked me, and I read the entire article about the hottest food trends for 2017. Quinoa and kale are cooling off, but pizza and chicken remain hot.

How ironic that Americans number one New Year’s resolution is “eat healthy,” yet pizza and fried chicken are top food trends for 2017!

“It is rather ironic that pizza and fried chicken are two of the food trends for 2017 despite the popular New Year’s resolutions for eating healthy and/or losing weight,” says Anne Hytrek, MSEd, RD, LD, CDE, Ankeny Prairie Trail Hy-Vee Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator. “However, pizza actually can be a healthy entree’ choice depending on the type of crust and toppings used.”

The Tuscano cracker crust or thin crusts are healthier, says Hytrek, especially if they’re made with whole wheat or whole grain flour. Another great alternative is a cauliflower crust that you can make at home. (We’re sharing the recipe below.) Additional healthier crust options, especially for individual pizzas, include Brownsberry Pita Pockets or Sandwich Thins, Flat Out, or Thomas High Fiber English Muffins.

“Bring pizza to life and feel full at the same time without a lot of calories by topping your pizza with lots of colorful vegetables,” says Hytrek. “Think outside of the box and try toppings like pickled peppers, roasted kale, asparagus or brussel sprouts, sliced cherry tomatoes, zucchini ribbons, fresh basil, artichoke hearts, and olives. Canadian bacon, chicken or shrimp, chicken Italian sausage, feta cheese are additional protein options to change up your typical toppings. Really, just be creative and try some different flavor combinations that you typically enjoy!”

Although a noted food trend for 2017 is “organic, antibiotic-free and hormone-free food,” Hytrek says dieticians at her Hy-Vee location do not get a lot of questions regarding these types of foods. Perhaps living in the Midwest helps Iowa customers feel more comfortable with where their food is coming from versus other areas in the United States why.

Hytrek’s comment mirror findings included in the Iowa Food & Family Project’s annual consumer pulse survey conducted earlier this winter.

According to the survey of nearly 400 people, Iowans are less likely to seek out such options as “cage-free,” “organic” and “natural” compared to consumers queried in national surveys. However, food labeled “local” continues to rise in popularity among food-minded Iowans, with 81 percent of those surveyed admitting they are “somewhat” or “very” likely to purchase such food.

When it comes to defining “local,” the results were less than concrete with responses ranging from “across the street” or “within a couple of miles of where it’s sold” to “grown or raised somewhere in the United States.”

Aaron Putze, APR, serves as communications director for Iowa Soybean Association and helps coordinate the work of the Iowa Food & Family Project. He says findings included in the group’s annual consumer pulse survey reveal strong and broad support for Iowa farmers and today’s agriculture. It also underscores the time and attention many consumers give to making food purchases.

Eighty-seven percent of Iowans have a positive perception of agriculture in the state, Putze says, while 68 percent of Iowans think about how food is grown and raised. The combination underscores the value and merits of the Iowa Food & Family Project.

“People want to feel empowered about the food purchasing decisions they make,” Putze says. “By having frequent conversations about food and introducing Iowans to agriculture, we can enhance confidence and trust among both consumers and the farm families who make so many safe and healthy food options available.”

Hy-Vee and Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds join more than 30 partners who support the Iowa Food & Family Project. Learn more and get involved at www.iowafoodandfamily.com.

Team Latham

January 13, 2017

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

Holidays are Filled with Fun and Games for this Family

Traditions are held near and dear to many families during the holidays. The Dawes family of Adel, Iowa, has been carrying on a unique family tradition for more than 20 years. Every Christmas they gather for a warm meal at their grandparents’ house followed by the annual family cribbage tournament! This year, the fourth generation took part in the heated competition and as their elders reminisced about games in years past.

From playing cribbage to working together on the family farm, values of team work and good morals were instilled in Beau and his brother from their parents, Nick and Peg. Growing up just three miles where he lives now, Beau says the farm is where his favorite memories took place.

Beau drive to the field for the first time with his grandpa. His grandma would pile all the grandkids into the front seat of the old farm pickup and let each of them have a turn driving. They would pretend to go through the McDonald’s drive-through, so there was no damage to the crops. He found himself on other side of his favorite memory 25 years later, teaching his kids the same thing.

Beau and his wife, Amie, have three adorable children: Leah (9), Blake (4), and Lane (3). Beau farms with his dad, Nick. Beau handles the day-to-day operations related to row crop operation, and Nick runs his own cow-calf herd on the side of their farm.

Amie was a city girl with no farming background until she met Beau. He admits that getting her behind the wheel of the grain cart is a work in progress, but he says she’s a great wife and mother. Amie keeps more than busy working full time as a physician assistant in a high-risk obstetrics office. She and Beau’s mom also brings good meals to the field during harvest and planting season.

Beau not only fulfills the role of a farmer, but he insists on making time for his family as a dad and husband. He also strives to be a reliable seed dealer for his customers, taking over the dealership his father started in 2000. As an exclusive Latham® Dealer, Beau prides his actions and success on personally checking in with his customers. In addition to his personal goals for his dealership, Beau explains how meaningful it is to work for a family-owned seed company.

“I appreciate knowing that John Latham will make time to walk a field with one of my customers,” said Beau. “That shows a lot about the culture of Latham Seeds and the positive experience they are willing to offer their customers.”

In addition to taking time to meet with customers, Beau says the Lathams look out for their people and treat them like family.

Beau appreciates the opportunity to farm with his family. Carrying on the legacy is exactly how he wanted to raise his own family. Beau’s goal is to continue the Dawes farming story and pass on the lifestyle to the fourth generation. In honor of the Dawes legacy of raising beef cattle, today we’re sharing a beef recipe from the Iowa Beef Industry Council. Give your traditional Sloppy Joes a twist with this recipe!

Webspec Admin

January 6, 2017

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

Mair’s Roots Run Deep in Wisconsin

The foundation of any family is built on the values instilled by parents and others from previous generations. Greg Mair of Wisconsin found his passion thanks to the butterfly effect. Simply described, the butterfly effect is the final product stemming from small occurrences leading to a new set of experiences. His story begins with his great-grandparent’s decision to farm in 1914.

Greg’s roots run deep in Janesville. After obtaining a business administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, he returned to Janesville where he spent seven years in Maize Research and Development and developed a strong agronomic background.

When he was young, Greg didn’t have his sights set on “the perfect career.” He knew he enjoyed working outside and learning about agriculture. It wasn’t until his parents took over the operation in August 2004 that he realized the broad opportunities in the agricultural field. He worked part time at a greenhouse in Janesville while he attended high school, which also helped lead him down an agricultural path. After realizing his passion for agriculture, Greg focused on his passion and pursued a career around what he loves.

Greg’s parents, Brad and Linda, have been invested in the family farming operation since 2000. They grow corn, soybeans and wheat while raising beef cattle and pigs. Known for finding the positive in all situations, Brad turned bad news with his job into an opportunity. After the closing of the General Motors plant in Janesville, Brad knew this was his chance to do what he had always loved.

Brad’s love for his family and farming transitioned down to Greg. Greg is married to Holly, whom he met during his freshman year of college in a math class. They got married in a barn in 2012, surrounded by a small group of family and friends. Greg and Holly have a two-year-old daughter, Finley, and are expecting another daughter in March. Holly is a 7^th grade language arts teacher at the middle school in DeForest.

As a family, they enjoy taking getaways to Door County, which always include a stop to see the beloved home of the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. They like to try new restaurants, spend time outside playing with Finley, and going to flea markets for Holly to find inspiration for craft ideas!

Greg joined the Latham sales team as Regional Sales Manager in Wisconsin. With his love of family and agriculture, we believe he’s a great addition. One reason Greg joined Latham is because it’s an independent, family-owned company

“As a family owned company, Latham has the farmers’ best interests at heart and genuinely cares about delivering customer value,” says Greg. “I’m really excited about working with dealers and customers here and look forward to help plan for the 2017 crop year.”

Greg and Holly want to raise their family on a farm of their own where they can have their own beef cattle and pigs. Greg reminisces the best times growing up were helping his great uncle, Fred, on the farm.

The Mair family is always cooking up a good meal in the kitchen. No family dinner is complete without dessert. Give their tried and true Banana Bar recipe a shot!

Webspec Admin

December 30, 2016

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

“Making” the Season Bright as We Deck the Halls

Family traditions have earned a soft spot in the households of many during the holiday season. Many of our employees and customers alike have shared with us their Christmas traditions from cutting down and decorating a tree the Friday after Thanksgiving to making gingerbread men ornaments. Company president John Latham fondly remembers how his grandmother, Evelyn Latham, made popcorn balls for each grandchild each Christmas.

As a family-owned company, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds also is rooted in tradition. One of the special aspects of traditions is they can be altered to fit a specific generation. Without even knowing it, Willard and Evelyn Latham made a home filled with tradition. Their former house – on an Iowa Century Farm – remains home to Latham Seeds.

The Latham Team started a new company Christmas tradition in 2009 when Latham Seed Company and Latham Hi‑Tech Hybrids came together to form Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds. Right after Thanksgiving, we put up a tree in the office lobby. Each Latham employee hangs the ornament with his/her name on it, and then a holiday potluck follows. This potluck is like no other!

There was such an abundance of food at this year’s potluck, we set up a “buffet” line in the hallways for desserts, salads, hot dishes and soups. We enjoyed everything from homemade white chili to ravioli bake, scrumptious cheesy potatoes and the BEST M&M cookies! Now these were the type of cookies that you would want to stuff your pockets with when you walked by!

The experiences the Lathams creates for their employees are similar to the memorable experiences we all work to create for our customers. It truly feels like a family event as we are decorating the office, trimming the tree and lining up for food. Company culture is one of the most important parts of being part of a team, and I find it satisfying to know Latham Seeds has holiday traditions like this one.

Today we are sharing with you the Crockpot Chicken & Noodles that was brought the potluck. Let me tell you, this is a must-try recipe!

Webspec Admin

December 9, 2016

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

Family Creates “Independent” Niche in Dairy Country

Some high school graduates seem to take a path that leads them straight toward one career. But Clinton Buss of Belmont, Wisconsin, took a road less traveled. The experiences he’s had during the past decade help him better related to his customers today.

“It took me 10 years to figure out what I really enjoy doing is working right here,” says Clinton, who joined Highway Feeds full time in 2013. He works with his sister, his mom and his stepdad in their independent feed and seed business.

Pete serves as president, owner and general manager of Highway Feeds. He places the orders and is primarily responsible for fertilizer, chemicals and equipment sales. Sheila takes care of accounts payable and receivable. Because she’s always on site, Sheila also primarily takes care of walk-in customers. Angie sells feed and trains calf contractors. She also orders animal care products.

While Clint is primarily responsible for sales of Latham® seed and makes most of the feed deliveries, he helps wherever he’s needed. He’s often called to make deliveries, pick up grain and even feed cattle on contract.

Clint’s job experiences help him talk to farmers about different aspects of their farming businesses. He grew up on a dairy farm and spent three years after high school dairy farming with his dad. Then Clint went to work for Highway Feed for two years before taking a job working home construction one summer. When the seasons changed, Clint went to work at the sale barn in Belmont and Bloomington.

“Working at the sale barn was even harder work than dairy farming,” he explains. After spending long days running on concrete working with stubborn cattle, Clint needed to make change. He studied law enforcement for one year before returning to Highway Feed where he’s been ever since.

“I really like the independence of our operation,” says Clint. “Like Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we offer our farmers independent options. Our customers are free to choose what products best fit their operations. I really enjoy sitting down with farmers and helping them select seed products on a field-by-field basis.”

When Clint gets a chance to step away from the business, he enjoys taking day trips and bow hunting with his wife. Clint and Lauren, who were married in October 2015, have started their own Hereford and Black Angus herd. They also are enjoying sitting down to a homecooked meal, and this pasta recipe often hits the spot for a mid-week quick dinner.

Team Latham

December 2, 2016

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

Soaring Through the Good Times

Dale Hemann

You can take the boy out of the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the boy. Eighteen years and six states later, Dale Hemann of Osage, Iowa found himself back in the town he grew up in and began farming.

In addition to wanting a lifestyle change from Memphis, Tennessee, Dale and his wife knew the Midwest was an ideal place to raise their family. He and Cindy packed up in 2001 and moved north to Wisconsin. A few moves later they moved to Iowa. In 2005 they moved to the farm on the same acreage where Dale was raised and where Dale’s dad, Larry, farmed until he retired in 1996. Larry continued selling seed until 2014, serving as a Latham® dealer for 31 years.

Dale and Cindy operate the family farm together. Dale manages the day-to-day responsibilities of caring for crops and livestock while Cindy takes care of the farm’s business operations, including finances. She also helps in the field and with livestock whenever needed. In an effort to diversify, they built a cattle barn and started finishing feeder cattle in 2014. Knowing corn prices would not stay high, they decided to incorporate livestock into their operation.

Their Mitchell County farm is 565 miles away from the airport in southern Missouri, where Dale and Cindy met, yet their journey has come full circle. It was his love of airplanes that drew Dale to college and his love for family that brought him back to the farm.

When Dale was younger, he found find himself fascinated by planes that flew over their farm. He wondered where they were headed, what altitude they were flying at and what type of plane was being flown. Now, with the help of the internet, he can answer those same questions by looking up planes on Flight Tracker. This interest took flight in Dale’s life and led him to earn a master’s degree in Aviation. After graduation, he traveled around the world for various job positions, working for American Airlines, Kestrel, and FedEx.

Now Dale is working toward getting his CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) rating, so he can teach his children how to fly. With three children in high school, the Hemann’s know this is a crucial time for their children. Dale and Cindy want to provide them with all the opportunities they can to help them decide how to further their education.

“I want the give them the tools to decide,” says Dale. “I don’t want them to second guess what they could have learned. I also want them to set their own goals because without goals, a person doesn’t get very far.”

Today, Dale and Cindy are sharing a family favorite – their very own pumpkin bars! Find their recipe below.

Webspec Admin

November 25, 2016

Desserts, Food & Family, Recipes