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Harvest is Crock Pot Season for this #FarmHer
Harvest is Crock Pot Season for this #FarmHer
Approximately 350 high school and college females are gathering today in Ankeny, Iowa, for the second annual Grow by FarmHer (#GrowIowa16) event. Last year I had the honor of being part of a panel about advocating for agriculture through blogging. This year Laura Cunningham, Kilah Hemeseth and I will be representing Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, which is proud to support the movement underway to recognize the important contributions women are making in everything from growing zucchini to practicing ag law.

Farmers and FarmHers, ranchers and RancHers, come from different backgrounds and experiences. Farming operations across the U.S. – and even within a state – look different due to the typography of the land, soil types and weather variations. Cropping enterprises differ from livestock enterprises. Some people raise nuts and berries while others raise crawfish and corn. Some people farm one acre while others farm thousands of acres, yet there’s one thing these people all share… they love the land.

I love that girls today are growing up without being defined by gender. I’ve met so many hardworking and determined farmers like April Hemmes and Meghan Miller who not only drive their own combines and tractors but repair them, too. Women today can farm on their own, or they can farm in partnership with their husbands, brothers, sisters, fathers or grandfathers. There is no “one-size-fits all” description of today’s FarmHer.

So many women have blazed trails in agriculture that we don’t have to look far or hard to find great role models. Instead we can hold up these numbers:
- 30 percent of all U.S. farmers are female. (I’m proud to raise pumpkins and goats at Enchanted Acres. Yes, it’s a little farm. But it’s my farm. I’m also honored to work with Midwest farmers daily as part-owner in our family-owned seed company.)
- 47% of FFA members are female, and women hold approximately 50% of state leadership positions. (When I served as the president of my FFA chapter during the 1988-89 school year, I was the only female member.)
- For the first time in history, more women are enrolled in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences at Iowa State University. (When I was a CALS student in the early 1990s, the ratio was 5:1 men to women.)
Another exciting development is that RFD-TV is airing new FarmHer documentaries each Friday at 8:30 PM CST. If you’re not able to tune in tonight, these episodes air again on Sundays at 8:30 pm CST and Wednesdays at 7:30 am CST.

In honor of all the FarmHers who are busy bringing in the crop this harvest season, today we’re sharing a “fix it and forget it” recipe from the Iowa Food & Family Project. Crock pot recipes are key to enjoying homecooked meals at our house during this busy season, and I’m looking forward to giving this one a try!
Team Latham

September 23, 2016

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

10 Takeaways from My Italian Ag Adventure
by Kilah Hemesath, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds Marketing Coordinator

Growing up on an Iowa farm helping my family raise pork, we always celebrated October Pork Month. Little did I know, October is also Cheese Month! To celebrate the month of good eats, I found it fitting to share about my experience I when I traveled abroad to the country that takes tremendous pride in their cheese.

The beautiful Italian countryside

As a cheese lover, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take a trip to Italy earlier this summer. The Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative hosted a group of Iowa State University (ISU) students on a study abroad trip to study food, farming and Italian culture. I found this to be the ideal time for a trip, as the trip dates fit perfectly between the end of graduation and before my job started at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds.

Pasta, cheese, wine and farming – what more could a person ask for? This was a trip to remember. I was lucky enough to spend 10 days in this beautiful country, enjoying eye-opening experiences every day.

In hopes of sharing a sweet taste of Italy, I’ve put together my top 10 takeaways for traveling abroad:
1. Pack smart! On the first day, we spent more time in the sky than on the ground. It was only my second time of riding a plane, so that was an experience in itself! Biggest takeaway: Pack your 3-oz. liquids in a Ziploc bag inside your carry-on luggage. Also bring a book, neck pillow and light blanket.
2. We even had a time to snap a quick picture on Burano!
  
  Who needs roads when there are water canals? Just when I thought we’d never make it, we arrived in Venice. It was obvious we weren’t in Iowa anymore when we piled into a water taxi to get to our hotel. Instead of roads, they use canals. The buildings appeared to be taken out of a coloring book. Venice is a city that is chock full of unique history.
3. Water ferries take longer than one would think. One afternoon my group decided to venture to Burano Island, which was known for lace making. Once we boarded the ferry, we were crunched for time. To make our 5 PM meeting, we could only spend 10 minutes on the island! That was 10 minutes to unload the ferry, see the island, buy lace, get a ticket and load the ferry to head back to Venice. Once we arrived in Venice, we had to run from one side of the island to the other to make the meeting. The kicker? The lace we bought ended up not being original to the island. Real or not, I can’t wait to wear the lace scarf proudly!
4. I was much more comfortable taking pictures instead of steering!
  
  Steering a Gondola is not my calling. Gondoliers should take pride in what they do. Similar to a very large canoe, these boats are steered by hand. Peacefully floating down the canals of Venice is not as easy as it looks!
5. Meal time is an event. Americans tend to rush meal time while Italians make meal time an event. I found it interesting to see how much time, effort and pride was taken in each course of every meal. As a food lover myself, I enjoyed that meals were not rushed. I learned to appreciate my food and the preparation that went into making it.
6. The Italian countryside is breathtaking. Although a picture can’t do justice, get your camera ready! We stayed at a winery nestled in the countryside in Cremona. At this stay, we were treated to a delicious, homemade five-course supper. This was my favorite part of the trip because we got to get away from the hustle of the city and appreciate Italy.
7. The aging cheese was piled high and piled far.
  
  Cheese, cheese & more cheese! We toured many cheese production facilities in different towns and all sharing certain similarities. Many times I felt we were sitting in a pool of whole milk when getting a tour! I had never toured a cheese factory so learning the process of cheese making from the Italians was very exciting. I always knew cheese is aged, but there’s some serious pride Italians have in the old age of their cheese.
8. Family traditions run deep. We enjoyed a few days packed full of farm tours. After taking many Midwest farm tours, it was great to see and hear about their operations. We were fortunate enough to see a pear farm, wineries, a prosciutto factory and go on traditional balsamic vinegar tour and testing. Among all of these tours, I found the importance of traditions and love of family that is carried down from one generation to the next. I found that as a similarity to American agriculture, as farmers throughout the world take substantial pride in what they do.
9. My love for pasta followed me from Northeast Iowa to Northeast Italy
  
  Pasta holds a larger spot in my heart than I thought. The largest personal takeaway for the trip is all things pasta. My mom taught me how to make pasta when I was little, so it holds a special place in my heart. On this trip, we were lucky enough to learn how to make ravioli from Italian women! I also came away with a new favorite type of food, gnocci, which I think of as potato pasta. Gnocci may be purchased in the grocery store. It tastes great in pesto sauce, cheesy pasta or soup.
10. There’s no place like home. As cheesy as it sounds, there’s no place like home. We spent 10 great days abroad and learning more than I could have ever imagined, but I was happy to return home to Iowa. Every place is unique and home to someone, and I find it important to know where that is.
If you’d like to get a taste of Italy in the comfort of your own home, I’m including a recipe for my favorite Italian dish. I found this recipe is from allreciepies.com. View the recipe below or click here.
Webspec Admin

September 16, 2016

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

It’s Super Bowl Saturday in Iowa!
Office Divided

Move over Iowa Nice! The smack talk, skewing of stats and hard-core tailgating is about to begin across the state as Iowans prepare for the annual Super Bowl Saturday. Kickoff for the interstate rivalry between the Iowa State Cyclones and the University of Iowa Hawkeyes is set for 6:42 PM tomorrow at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

The annual Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series came up during a working lunch yesterday at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds. “If you go back 17 years, Iowa State leads the series 9 to 8,” said company president John Latham. That might be true, replied our general manager Tom Lizer, but let’s look at total points scored during that time period. In fact, let’s go back 20 years because the series is tied with both football teams earning 10 victories!

The “fun and games” have begun. Anyone visiting our office today will notice it’s casual Friday. Latham team members are donning logo wear for their favorite teams. This noon we’ll grill burgers for our annual tailgating potluck. This spread will include everything from Calico Beans and Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeños to Sour Cream and Bacon Deviled Eggs to Buffalo Chicken Dip. (If you’re not a fan of potlucks, you’ve never been to one of ours! People take pride in the dishes they create. It’s definitely not a day to count calories or skimp.)

Today we’re sharing recipes and party-hosting tips to ensure you have fun, whether you’ll be following the game from your living room or in a parking lot or at the stadium. Click on one of these related links below:
For more tailgating recipe and ideas, check out Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ “Tailgating” folder on Pinterest.

It’s Friday on TheFieldPosition, so that means we’re also featuring a recipe here. Today’s recipe comes from one of Latham Seeds’ raving fans, our uncle Jim Latham. His recipe for Friendship Salad is a good reminder to keep the competition “friendly” this weekend.

P.S. Remember to tune into the Latham Locker Room Show, which airs following every football broadcast on the state-wide Cyclone Radio Network. This segment airs following the play-by-play and includes exclusive “locker room” interviews with players and coaches.
Team Latham

September 9, 2016

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

Father’s Love of Old Iron Leads to Family Legacy

Tucked into the rolling hills of the beautiful rural eastern Iowa countryside is a treasure trove of antique iron. From the road, would never guess that this unassuming machine shed houses more than 90 restored tractors. Inside is a collector’s dream. During the Latham Freedom of Independence Ride on Aug. 19, our riders had the pleasure of walking through that door and stepping back into time.

Kevin Miller of Dixon restored his first tractor as a young 4-H member. He restored three as 4-H projects, but his story doesn’t end there. When Kevin’s oldest son, Patrick, was old enough to join 4-H, the passion for tractor restoration was rekindled. The restoration work was so well done that Patrick’s tractor was selected to advance to the Iowa State Fair. Unfortunately, the “Selected for State” ribbon that hung on his tractor was replaced with “Outstanding Junior Achievement” as the Millers learned the hard way that first-year 4-H members aren’t eligible to compete at the Iowa State Fair.

When Patrick’s younger sister, Meghan, joined 4-H, she restored a lawn mower as her first year 4-H project. That also was the routine when their younger brother, Jacob, joined 4-H. Just as Jacob finishes his last year of FFA eligibility, Patrick’s son will enter his “lawn mower year.”

Restoring a lawn mower allows the kids to get the experience of restoring a tractor to see if it’s something they enjoy before they attempt a project that could advance to the next level, explains Kevin. All three of the Miller children joined the North Scott FFA when they were eligible, so they continue fueling their passion for tractor restoration until age 21. All three have competed and took top honors at the Iowa State Fair in either individual or team (chapter) competition as tractor restoration has grown in popularity. This year alone, Jacob entered four tractors into the state
fair competition.

Known as the Tractor Trifecta, the Millers continue to restore tractors every year. Meghan put the finishing touches on a 4166 earlier this month. She admits that she loves the challenge involved with restoring tractors. Since the first of the year, Meghan has been videoing the restoration process for the Timeless Tractors documentary on Iowa Public Television.

“You never know what you’re getting into. A tractor might look perfectly fine from the outside, then you tear into it and realize it’s going to more work than you first thought. But I love a good challenge,” says Meghan, whose favorite tractor is a rare model 1456 International gold demonstrator. “I always wanted a 1456, so Dad bought it for me during my last year in FFA. I got reserve champion overall at the Iowa State Fair. That’s the highest I’ve ever gotten by myself, so it was pretty cool to end my FFA career that way.”

There’s more to winning top honor at the Iowa State Fair than merely rebuilding engines or having a paint job that’s silky smooth.

“Preparing for tractor judging is like studying for an oral exam,” explains Jacob. “You stand by your tractor from about 8 AM to 3 PM. When the judges come around, you have to make eye contact. You have to have good communication skills. You have to know history. Judges prove that you did your own work by asking a series of specific questions.”

Not only do the Millers know how to rebuild tractors but their grandma made sure they can make blue ribbon-winning apple pies and other dishes. They enjoy sitting down to a hearty meal, so they can spend long hours in the shop or out in the field. Today they’re sharing two of their favorite recipes with us on TheFieldPosition.

Team Latham

August 26, 2016

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

Experience a Great Day at New Day Dairy!

What brings a smile to your face? Perhaps it’s the sweet taste and smooth texture of ice cream on a hot summer day. Maybe you’re amused by the boundless energy of baby animals or the cute things small children say. If you find yourself smiling while you’re reading, you’ll want to visit New Day Dairy! The good news is… we can help you get there.

New Day Dairy near Clarksville, Iowa, will be one of the fabulous farm stops during Expedition Farm Country, Aug. 25-26, 2016. This two-day tour of North Iowa will include a drone demonstration on Aug. 25 at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, an overnight at the Historic Park Inn plus a series of farm visits on Aug. 26 including the Niess family farm near Osage.

“Technology in agriculture” is the theme of Expedition Farm Country, and New Day Dairy is state-of-the-art. Lynn Bolin, and her husband Dan, a fifth generation dairy farmer, started their own operation on December 9, 2015, with 110 cows. They’ll introduce you to their farm hand “Rita,” a robotic milker. You’ll also get to meet their two adorable children, Amara, 5, and Vance, 3.

As soon as I parked my car in front of their dairy barn earlier this summer, the Bolin’s daughter walked right over to me. She reached out her arm to shake my hand and said, “I’m Amara (pronounced, A-mar-a). I’m really good at tours.”

Now if seeing a child welcome you to her farm doesn’t put a smile on your face, I don’t know what will! Both children proudly told me what they know about the cows, and when he got more comfortable in my presence, Vance invited me to play in the sandbox. Just think how much better our world could be if more people played nicely in the sandbox!

The Bolin’s intentions are genuine as demonstrated by the way they welcome guests and care for their productive, thriving cows. The mission of New Day Dairy is simple: Develop. Milk. Bless. This family wants every guest to be blessed by a positive experience as they gain a better understanding the connection to the source of their milk.

To help consumers stay connected after they leave the farm, New Day Dairy started a monthly newsletter. Readers can learn how many calves were born that month, which cow is producing the most milk and special activities on the farm.

In the future, the Bolins plan to take the “farm experience” one step farther by opening a European-inspired guesthouse attached to their barn. Their vision is to give individuals the chance to experience a modern working dairy farm.

See New Day Dairy for yourself on Aug. 26 with a group of consumers interested in learning how food is produced. Expedition Farm Country is being offered through the Iowa Food and Family Project with support from Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds. If you’re interested in attending, email lfoss@iasoybeans.com. Simply state why you’d like to embark on the farm tour!

Keep an eye out for more blog posts coming soon about other stops on the farm tour. In the meantime, enjoy a sweet treat from New Day Dairy. This recipe for Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal a la Mode, which is the perfect dessert or afternoon snack, comes from the New Day Dairy blog. Visit the Bolin family’s website or connect with them on Facebook!

Team Latham

August 5, 2016

Desserts, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Niess Family Builds on Foundation of Family Farming

Photo credit to Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

By Kilah Hemesath, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds Marketing Coordinator

Something had to give, but what was it? It’s the tug-a-war between knowing there needs to be a change, and where to make it. It’s wanting to not only be alive, but to live a life.

Scott and Julie Niess learned hard work and perseverance while growing up on their own dairy farms. After they married, they continued the valued way of life they knew for 18 years – dairy farming. Then in 2009 they found themselves at a turning point. Julie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Their life was tipped upside down, and they needed to create a new normal.

“We needed a change, for ourselves and our family. We sold our dairy cattle and decided to live life again,” said Scott Niess.

The Niess’s pulled through the hard times as a family. They also found ways to cope. Scott and Julie’s daughter, Cally, was 15 years old at the time. By watching her mom go through chemo, she wanted to help comfort other families going through the same struggle.

Born out of a 4-H project, Cally created Cally’s Cause. Cally’s Cause are bags that have been assembled to help other families go through the same hard times. These bags include thank you notes, postage stamps, hats, Kleenex, eye drops, sanitizer, puzzle books, band aids, cold and hot packs, tooth paste, tooth brush and plastic utensils. With help from members in the community, the bags are assembled and then delivered by Julie. There have been just over 300 bags delivered! Julie shares her story and offers others hope and encouragement. Visit their Facebook page to get in contact with Cally or Julie to learn more.

Photo credit to Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

Today, Scott and Julie remain third generation farmers in Osage, Iowa. Both play vital roles in the farming operation and take pride in what they do. They raise beef cattle, as well as grow corn and soybeans. They buy groups of about 650-pound cattle from the Dakotas and Montana. The cattle are fed and sold at market weight. Their son, Cody, plays a role in marketing the cattle and their commodities. Cody works in Minneapolis full-time now but Scott and Julie are hoping to give him the opportunity to become their family’s fourth generation farmer.

Giving back to their community is a passion for this family. Scott currently serves on the Iowa Beef Council as a one-year appointee and is the president of the Osage Co-op.

Scott farmed with his dad for 15 years, and appreciates the active role his son plays on their farm. He values having a father-son partnership and looks forward to the opportunities ahead.

On August 26, a group of consumers interested in learning how food is produced will visit various farm and businesses in North Iowa, including the Niess Farm. The event, Expedition Farm Country, is part of the Iowa Food and Family Project, sponsored by the Iowa Soybean Association and supported by Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds. If interested in attending this tour, email lfoss@iasoybeans.com and state why you’d like to embark on the farm tour! Scott and Julie are looking forward to hosting this group.

“I enjoy having the opportunity to clarify any misconceptions consumers may have,” said Scott. “I want to share my story, so they get the right story.”

Watch for more blog posts coming soon about the Niess’s inspiring story. In the meantime, enjoy this hamburger cheese dip recipe! It’s the perfect recipe to salute their experience with dairy farming and to promote the beef they now raise.

Webspec Admin

July 22, 2016

General, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Celebrate National Ice Cream Month with the Iowa Dairy Princess

By Amber Hammes, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds Marketing Intern

2015-2016 Iowa Dairy Princess Kate Stewart is celebrating National Ice Cream Month! Join in by hugging your favorite dairy cow like Kate, or by scooping up some dairy-licious ice cream.

At this point in the year, most Iowans are counting down days until the Iowa State Fair. July is chalked-full of county fairs, vacations and preparing campers and livestock trailers for another trip down to the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Kate Stewart, 2015-2016 Iowa Dairy Princess, has been just as busy celebrating National Ice Cream Month!

Kate is a fifth generation dairy farmer from Oelwein, Iowa, where her family milks 150 Holstein cows three times per day and farms 290 acres of alfalfa and corn. She grew up following the footsteps of her four older siblings by becoming active in 4-H, FFA and the National Junior Holstein Association.

“Whether it be showing cattle at the fair or testing my dairy knowledge in dairy quiz bowl contests at the state and national level,” Kate says, “these incredible organizations have given me countless opportunities to grow as a dairy enthusiast.”

In 2014, Kate served as the Fayette County Dairy Princess. She spent the year serving frozen yogurt at local schools, throwing cheese sticks in parades and educating 2^nd grade classrooms about the role dairy plays in a healthy lifestyle. After having these amazing experiences, she wanted to continue to reach more people and advocate for the Iowa dairy industry. In August 2015, Kate was crowned 2015-16 Iowa Dairy Princess.

Kate and Leslie Sivesind, 2015-2016 Alternate Iowa Dairy Princess.

The Midwest Dairy Association created the Iowa Dairy Princess position over 60 years ago to be a public figure that advocates on behalf of dairy farmers. Kate and Leslie, along with the Midwest Dairy crew, promote the importance of getting three dairy servings per day with the #Dairy3ForMe pledge.

“The 2015 Dietary Guidelines have come out and they are still recommending that we get 3 servings of dairy every day to help us live healthy lives,” Kate said. “So make sure to grab a cheese stick for a snack on the go, celebrate ice cream month with a serving of ice cream, and grab a glass of milk after a workout – it just so happens to be the best way to rehydrate and refuel your body post-exercise!”

Kate’s adventures as the Iowa Dairy Princess take her across the state, serving as an ambassador for the dairy industry. She gets to attend Iowa dairy farmer’s open houses, county fairs and dairy community events. Sadly, Kate’s term will end in August. She will be handing over her crown to the 2016-2017 Iowa Dairy Princess on August 10^th at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. The public is welcome to attend the coronation and show support to contestants who work hard to advocate for the Iowa dairy community. For more information, visit the Iowa Dairy Princess Facebook page and stay up to date on Iowa Dairy Princess appearances throughout the year.

About National Ice Cream Month

July was established as National Ice Cream Month in 1984 by the American Dairy Association in conjunction with President Ronald Reagan. The third Sunday in July (this Sunday, the 17^th!) is National Ice Cream Day. This year, Kate and Alternate Iowa Dairy Princess, Leslie Sivesind, will be attending an Iowa Cubs baseball game and throwing the first pitch. If you’re headed to Principal Park on Sunday, be sure to stop and say “Hi!” to Kate and Leslie! You can also talk to Kate at the Iowa State Fair, where she can be found working the dairy cattle shows, Midwest Dairy Association booth and Butter Cow exhibit.

Kick your boots off, scoop up a dish of dairy-licious ice cream and enjoy the remainder of the summer with Kate and all of us at Latham!

Wondering where you can get your ice cream fix at the Iowa State Fair? Here’s a list of all the vendors and their locations on the fairgrounds!

Gary Geske

July 15, 2016

Desserts, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

From Speedway to Farm Gate: Be an Influencer

By Kilah Hemesath, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds Marketing Coordinator

As Rusty Wallace was an influencer on the design of Iowa Speedway, Bob Hemesath plays a similar role influencing the agricultural industry, serving as the Iowa Corn Growers Association President.

Bob has found the equilibrium between doing what he loves with his family and standing up for the agricultural industry nationwide. Bob farms in Northeast Iowa with his dad, Fred, and brother, Ron. The phrase, “farming is a family affair,” is not just words thrown together for the Hemesath family. It’s a legacy that involves growing corn and raising hogs.

Perseverance is a characteristic Bob learned at an early age by watching his parents work together on the farm. The memory of his grandpa and grandma coming to visit is a treasured one. Years later, as the day-to-day operations of the farm switched to Bob and Ron, they worked tirelessly to build on the foundation created.

Bob explained the agricultural industry is the best place to be, especially working in Iowa. He has made the most of his role as the Iowa Corn Growers President, advocating for the industry upon which the Midwest is built.

“From becoming involved with government affairs to meeting with farmers on their own place, I’ve had the chance to look at the same thing with a different perspective, and that is irreplaceable,” says Bob.

Practices in agriculture are constantly advancing, creating an industry that is ever changing and open to growth. The Renewable Fuels Standard has given farmers in Iowa the marketing access to marketing ethanol, creating a demand on corn. The Iowa Corn 300 has been growing in correspondence to the use of ethanol in Iowa, celebrating its 10^th year anniversary this Sunday, July 10.

The Iowa Corn Indy 300 provides corn farmers with an opportunity to share the message behind ethanol and the positive influence it has on the economy in Iowa. In honor of influencers Rusty Wallace on the Iowa Speedway and Bob Hemesath in agriculture, we’re giving away an Iowa Food and Family Project T-shirt signed by Rusty Wallace. Enter by commenting your reason for being an Indy racing fan!

Part of the experience for race fans is tailgating. That’s why today we’re sharing Bob Hemesath’s favorite recipe for grilled pork chops. Check out other tailgating recipes from Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ Pinterest page or TheFieldPosition blog.

Webspec Admin

July 8, 2016

General, Pork, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Beef Project Helps the Irons Develop Nerves of Steel

David Irons met the love of his life in 1989 when they were both working in the same office in Des Moines. Although David and Patty had both grown on up farms – he on a cow-calf operation in the Altoona-Runnells area and she on a feeder cattle-row crops operation in North Iowa – farming fulltime wasn’t something they had thought about much. After all, they had grown up during the 1980s Farm Crisis and moved to the city for stable paychecks and promising careers.

Lisa and Coral at the Clay County Fair in September 2015

Then, as it often does, life handed the young couple a curve ball. Patty’s father was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1992, so the Irons had a decision to make. They chose to move to Northwood to become a part of the family farm and make a fresh start. They moved to the farm in January 1996 after Patty’s mom moved to town. Over the years, they’ve remodeled facilities. They put a new roof on the barn in 2009 and tinned it in 2013 to make a nice area for the girls to store show equipment and fit cattle.

Fitting is something Lisa, a junior studying Animal Science and beef production at Iowa State, enjoys and has become known for. She also enjoys showing cattle they’ve raised themselves and was proud to have produced the top selling heifer at the 2015 Worth County Club Calf Sale. This is the last summer Lisa is eligible to show in FFA. Both Lisa and Mary showed at the Worth County Fair in June. They plan to show at various open shows in July, the Iowa State Fair in August, and the Clay County Fair in September.

The Irons have shown in many Iowa Junior Beef Breeds Association shows, including Beef Expo. Lisa has also shown at Ak-sar-ben in Omaha and the Minnesota Beef Expo in St. Paul. Lisa has led several clinics for beginning showmen.

“Giving presentations and leading fitting demonstrations has helped me develop confidence, overcome my fear of public speaking and cope with anxiety,” says Lisa. “My 4-H and FFA beef project has helped me develop so many skills, meet many people and led me toward a career. My dream is to graduate from college and farm with my dad.”

Mary and Smurf taking a break at the 2014 Iowa State Fair

Lisa started showing cattle as a third grader when she entered a bucket bottle calf in the county fair. She brought that heifer back the following year. Mary followed in her sister’s footsteps, starting with bucket bottle calves. As a N-K High School Senior, she plans to bring her first heifer back as a cow/calf pair to the 2017 Worth County Fair.

As the girls have grown, so has their beef herd. They began with Maine-Anjou and have added more Simmental, which had more genetic resources available. Plus, the Simmental are known as a pretty docile beef breed that makes them good show animals. The Irons have focused on developing better and better stock, selling off animals and then using those proceeds to purchase better genetics.

Most of their steers are sold to local feeders, but they feed out a few to sell directly to consumers. Female calves are kept as replacements or sold as bred heifers to other beef operators.

“My dream is for my kids to find something they enjoy that provides a good life, as well as a good living, and to pass this farm to the next generation.”

Team Latham

July 1, 2016

Beef, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Seed Industry Leader Risa Demasi Blazes Trails in Oregon
Risa Demasi (pronounced Ree-sa De-macey) was the oldest of three girls raised on a second generation beef farm in Oregon, but she never dreamed about following an agricultural career path. Risa isn’t known for following herd; she’s known for her impeccable style. The seed company she helped found is known for providing novel solutions for growing concerns through plant breeding and production of turf, forages and cover crops.

“Originally, I thought I was passionate about the fashion industry,” says Risa, who studied music at Hesston Mennonite College in Kansas. “As it turned out, I’m just passionate about clothes!”

Interestingly enough, a job in fashion is what led to the seed industry. One day when she working at Nordstrom’s, a regular customer invited Risa to join a newly formed seed company as a shipping assistant. Risa’s knowledge and responsibilities grew as Olsen-Fennell Seed, Inc. grew.

Pictured above is Risa with her husband, Michael, at the Welcome Reception for the ASTA Convention

Olsen-Fennell sold to ABT (AgriBioTech), a publicly traded company. The company continued growing through acquisitions and mergers but went bankrupt in April 2000. Days after the ABT bankruptcy, Jerry Hall – whom Risa describes as a brilliant plant breeder with a great mind for business – called and asked her to consider co-founding the business. She didn’t hesitate to say yes!

“I enjoy the freedom to try new ideas,” says Risa, co-founder/partner of Grassland Oregon. “Our philosophy is our tagline, ‘Novel Solutions for Growing Concerns.’ Our drive to take the lead provides value-added solutions for our customers, farmers and consumers. As a result of more than a decade of research and breeding efforts, Grassland Oregon is releasing highly effective varieties of novel cover crops including species that have never before been grown in the United States.”

Rebuilding soils and conserving natural resources are top priorities for U.S. farmers, but today’s political climate has spiked interest in soil conservation practices and cover crops. More consumers than ever are voicing their opinions about plant breeding and modern farming practices. That’s why Risa, the American Seed Trade Association’s (ASTA) first female officer and outgoing chairwoman, says it’s more important than ever for those involved with the seed business to help others understand the industry. This week, as she presided over the 133rd annual convention (#ASTAannual) in Portland, Risa issued a challenge to her seed industry colleagues.

Challenge to Seed Industry Colleagues

The American Seed Trade Association was founded in 1883 and represents more than 700 companies in seed production and distribution, plant breeding, and related industries in North America. As directed by its members, ASTA is involved in nearly all issues relating to plant germplasm.

“You get out of it what you put into it,” says Risa. “If you just pay your dues and don’t make an effort to engage or stretch yourself, you will not get much in return. However, if you participate by intentionally expecting to learn something and introducing yourself to other members, I guarantee you will feel it was a worthy investment.”

We are in one of the best industries/professions on the planet and we can make a difference, adds Risa. An ASTA membership:
1. Amplifies your voice by joining with those who face the same challenges you do;
2. Allows you to make an even bigger different in the world; and
3. Helps you connect the dots between challenges and solutions. You never know who you might meet that will make the difference in your business or your career!
“As our communications message aptly states – Better Seed, Better Life – we are improving the quality of life for everyone. Everything starts with a seed! I am very proud of ASTA’s communications efforts. We recognized that we needed to meet people where they are and to speak their language rather than our “industry-speak.” This moves us from being reactionary to being thought leaders. We’re establishing ourselves as the credible resource we are, providing confidence to consumers, regulators and legislators.”

In honor of Risa’s service to the seed industry – and in celebration of National Pollinator Week – it’s only fitting to share a recipe using honey. Grassland Oregon rents bees to pollinate its clover fields and then contracts with the beekeeper to purchase the honey produced. Its honey is then distributed to customers and growers.
Team Latham

June 24, 2016

General, Recipes, Sides