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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Through True Grit and Determination, Lacina Family Reaches Dreams

John and Niikia Lacina with their children: Alan, 17; Kaylee, 13; and Adam, 11.

When John Lacina was a young boy, he literally walked in his dad’s shadow. He loved helping with chores, and he knew he wanted to grow up and be a farmer. Even though John was only 7 when his father passed away, his dream lived on – and became a reality thanks to hard work and determination.

“What I enjoy most about farming is the chance to create something new each season. You prepare the soil and put seeds in the ground. Then you do what you can to help the crop thrive throughout the growing season and hope you harvest your best crop yet each fall,” explains John. “You’re responsible for managing that crop. When you see the results, you’re either going to kick yourself or give yourself a pat on the back.”

Personal responsibility, true grit and determination defines him. In 1995, John graduated from high school in May and turned 18 in July. In September that year, he married his high school sweetheart. John and Niikia (pronounced na-key-a) had spent their high school years side-by-side. Niikia wasn’t raised on a farm, but she realized helping with farm work or riding in the tractor was a way to spend more time with John.

“There wasn’t going to be money for a movie if John didn’t earn it first,” says Niikia, “so I would help him cut eye teeth (on pigs) or whatever needed to be done. Sometimes I just rode in the tractor or combine – and still do – to keep him company during the busy seasons.”

As newlyweds, John and Niikia took off-farm jobs to help fund their dreams. John started as a floater operator at a local co-op, and spent all of his “free time” helping two local farmers. The long-term goal was for John to buy into Danny Dencklau’s farming operation over time, but fate moved up the time table.

Sadly, Danny developed cancer and John left his position at the co-op to assume more of the day-to-day responsibilities with Danny’s farm and his trucking business. John and Niikia had to decide whether to finish buying Danny’s half of John’s semi or whether to sell the truck. After Danny passed away, the Lacinas had to determine how they were going to buy ground and equipment to continue farming.

A local banker and a few others from the community had faith in the young couple. Today John is happy to be farming full-time and operating a Latham® seeds dealership. Niikia works off-farm as a Health Insurance Agent for KHI Solutions. The couple feels blessed to raise their three children on a farm where they can chase their own dreams.

Their oldest son Alan, 17, is a junior in high school. He loves everything about farming. “From the time he could walk, Alan was my shadow,” says John. “He’s happiest when he’s behind the wheel of a tractor. He’s also enjoys snowmobiling and four-wheeling.”

Their 13-year-old daughter, Kaylee, is an accomplished barrel racer. She got her first barrel horse when she was seven years old. In 2014, she started competing in larger events through the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). In her just her third PRCA race, she placed 3^rd out of 50 racers. Kaylee also won a saddle as the 2014 Senior TMRA Barrel Racing Champion with her 8-year-old Palomino named Scarlett Bandit.

The Lacina’s youngest son, Adam, has been riding Tuff-N-Nuff Miniature Buck-N-Bulls for seven years. He got interested in bull riding after seeing live Pro Bull Riding (PBR) events and watching the movie 8 Seconds, based on the life story of Lane Frost. Adam won a Tuff-N-Nuff event in Fort Dodge when he was just 4, and he’s placed in the Top 5 every year since. He finished in second place over all in 2014, just one point behind the first place Junior Bull Rider. Adam also qualified for and rode January 10 at the 2015 National Western Stock Show & Rodeo (NWSS).

“We’re making memories,” says Niikia. “Rodeos are something we enjoy watching and our kids enjoy participating in. We also like camping together and spending time with other families who share similar interests.”

Working and relaxing together is the Lacina family’s mantra. Today they’re sharing a favorite recipe that hits the spot, especially during the fall harvest season when a home-cooked meal on weekends is an extra special treat. It also sounds like a perfect recipe to celebrate the Super Bowl – or to enjoy any Sunday Supper.

Team Latham

January 23, 2015

General, Pork, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Secrets to Turning a House “Divided” into a House United

While Jody (Cole) Dvorak grew up in the Land of Deere, she says she had never ridden in a tractor or spent any time on a farm before she started dating the man who became her husband. Her parents operated a professional photography studio in Waterloo, and that’s where she discovered an interest in business.

She enrolled at the University of Iowa, and her career path seemed clear. She would earn a bachelor’s of Business Administration degree, move to Minneapolis or Chicago and work for 10 years before starting her own company in the fashion industry.

Two months before graduation, however, Jody and her roommate went to watch a rugby match at City Park in Iowa City. David Dvorak was “the handsome wing forward” who explained the game to them. David had graduated the previous year from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Business and played for the Iowa City Ducks when his scheduled allowed.

“That day he told me that he’d like to call me in about six weeks,” said Jody. “My first thought was, ‘Whaaaat?” Dave explained that he would be busy with harvest until then, but I was still surprised when he actually didn’t call until the crops were out.”

It goes without saying that love changed the course of Jody’s career plans. She found herself following new dreams that led her down a moonlight path near West Liberty in eastern Iowa.

“Farming is a life unlike any other, and I discovered right away how little I knew about agriculture. But I was excited about the completely new lifestyle. Marriage is marriage. A supportive spouse is there at the end of the day to listen, to understand that her needs don’t come first every day and to provide a safe space for her husband,” says Jody.

When the Dvoraks were married and getting started in the 80’s, one of the most supportive things Jody said she could do was have a paycheck. She worked off farm for 22 years. She was an ad executive for three newspapers and advertising manager at the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She also served as membership director for the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce and as a coach for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. Plus, she owned two Curves fitness centers.

Jody gets involved on the farm when her experience allows her to add value to the operation. Dvorak Farm became ISO-9000 certified about 15 years ago, so she became more involved at that time. She helped create sales and marketing materials for Innovative Growers, which produced expeller pressed soy oil, when David served as president of that group. They attended food shows to find new markets for their oil. Recently, Jody says she’s “dipped a couple toes into the pool of grain marketing.”

Today Dvorak Farm raises primarily corn and soybeans. They lean toward value-added crops, growing white and waxy corn plus non-GMO corn and soybeans, seed corn and seed soybeans. They also grow some organic corn and soybeans. Their business is “driven by ethical principles and land stewardship while maintaining honest and fair relationships with landlords, employees, and everyone with whom they do business.”

Dave and Jody Dvoark with son, John, and daughter, Casey.

In addition to raising crops, David and Jody raised a family on their farm. Their 24-year-old daughter Casey works at an ad agency in Chicago, Their son John, 22, is working on his Master’s Degree in Computer Science at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, NY.

“While my childhood was spent with a lot of neighborhood kids, Casey and John’s memories include each other. They played outside on the swings or built forts in their rooms together. They walked to and from the school bus every day, and did homework together. They had a mix of life on the farm like their dad had, but they also got time in the ballet studio and wrestling meets like my childhood. But unlike me, they had plenty of space to learn to drive!”

The Dvorak’s children are following their dreams in far-away cities now, but they enjoy trips back home for a good home-cooked meal. In honor of January soup month, today Jody shares with us a favorite recipe for Butternut Squash Soup. She’s also sharing another recipe for bruschetta, which Jody says has become a favorite tailgating recipe.

“Our family enjoys a good-natured competition every September although the Iowa – Iowa State rivalry hasn’t been as enjoyable for me the last few years,” says Jody good-naturedly. “When my Hawkeyes won the Big Game the first 12 years we were together, I should have been more gracious! Fortunately for me, Dave played rugby at Iowa State, not football, so it’s a pretty fun weekend no matter what happens.”

P.S. Jody grew up in the city and graduated from the University of Iowa. David was raised on a farm and graduated from Iowa State University. While opposites attracted, they put their differences aside and work toward common goals. Be sure to read Monday’s blog when Jody shares advice for any girl who decides to marry a farmer! Monday’s blog is Part II in our “Bachelor series.” Click here to read Part I.

Team Latham

January 16, 2015

General, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Get a Glimpse of “Farm Living”

Ever since the 19^th season of ABC’s The Bachelor premiered on January 5, folks have been debating whether Iowa farmer Chris Soules can find a bachelorette who can become his life partner. Many experts have offered advice and shared secrets to a happy marriage. Others wonder if a beauty from one of the coasts can actually live happily ever after in the middle of cornfields, especially during the winter months.

The truth is, a degree in agriculture or a background in farm life is not a prerequisite to become a supportive farm wife. Some of agriculture’s most well-known advocates were not raised on a farm. You might be surprised to learn that Carrie Mess, who blogs at “The Adventures of Dairy Carrie” was raised in Madison. Katie Olthoff, who blogs at “On the Banks of Squaw Creek,” never ever dreamed she’d become an advocate for agriculture and the turkey industry. Nor did Wanda Patsche grow up thinking she’d ever become well versed about #RealPigFarming.

In fact, Wanda never thought she’d live on a hog farm. Her best friend during high school lived on a hog farm and had to clean pig pens every weekend. Wanda watched her friend work one Saturday morning and professed she would never marry a hog farmer, but those words were spoken before she started dating Charles Patsche!

“My husband felt a calling to farm,” says Wanda. “He enjoys the feeling of planting a crop in the spring, watching it grow all summer long and then harvesting it in the fall. It’s experiencing the miracle of life that I’ve come to love, too.”

Wanda has a way with words. I truly enjoy her writing style and find her blogs so insightful and relatable, whether she’s talking about everyday life on the farm or sharing stories about her family. That’s why today I’m simply going to share her candid responses to my questions.

How long have you been blogging and why did you start?

Prior to blogging, I was involved in agvocating through Twitter and Facebook. I really wanted to give blogging a chance but didn’t feel I was qualified because I didn’t have a journalism or ag communication degree. I’m a grandma who also farms from rural Minnesota… Who would want to listen to me? But I had things I wanted to say! Then a couple of years ago, I attended an AgChat national conference where I met many other agvocates from across the country. This conference inspired me to blog, and I’ve been blogging for two years.

How did you get involved with agvocating and why do you believe it’s important for farmers to tell their stories?

Both my husband and I have been involved in the pork industry for many years. We both had served on the county board level, and I was also a member of a few state pork committees. In 2012, my family was selected as the 2012 Minnesota Pork Farm Family of the Year. Our children were on their own or at least in college at that time, so I had some extra time to promote agriculture, or I should say, “Correct the enormous amount of misinformation about ag.” It’s important that farmers tell their story because there are people/organizations taking advantage of the fact that the numbers of farmers are small. Honestly, there wasn’t the need years ago to communicate with consumers because they already had a connection to farming, whether it was their own background of growing up on a farm or at the very least, their parents grew up on a farm. Today, “transparency,” or talking to consumers about what they do and why, is new to farmers. Many are busy farming and don’t understand the need to engage with consumers. Farming has modernized and doesn’t look the same as in the past, so consumers have questions about today’s agriculture. They want to know farmers. Anti-ag people/organizations are also taking advantage of consumers’ disconnect to agriculture by spreading information about agriculture that is misleading, deceitful and outright wrong. We need to stop that movement – and we can by giving agriculture a face and telling our story in whatever way is comfortable to farmers. It can be as simple as talking to family and friends about what farmers do and why.

How do you respond to farmers who say, “I don’t have a story to tell”?

Everyone has a story. I am a grandma, who lives in rural Minnesota – in the middle of nowhere – who also farms. I can relate to many people, such as other moms who are so confused about the food they are feeding their families. I listen to their concerns and engage in conversations about what we do and why we do it. We are just normal, regular people growing food for families. Consumers want and deserve to hear from us.

What do you enjoy most about farming?

There is nothing better than the feeling of growing and raising food for other families. It’s humbling and a huge responsibility. None of which we take for granted.

What do you wish consumers understood better?

Just this week I posted a blog with 7 things farmers wish for consumers (and families) in 2015. First and foremost, I wish for more truthful and less confusing marketing. Farmers care about our animals and our soils. We care for the environment. And even though nothing is perfect in farming, we try every single day to be better than the day before.

How has your online presence helped you connect with consumers?

It’s been amazing the connections I have made with consumers! People from all over the world read my blog. I actually had to use a translator to read comments left in German. It’s been an interesting journey. Through time and some training, I’m able to try and take “attack” statements and turn them into a conversation. Granted, it does not work every time because there are people who not want to converse. I’ve learned that it’s okay to walk away from them, but I have had so many other successes! And the unique aspect of an online social media presence is other people can also read the conversations. When I have online conversations, I think about other people who are lurking, reading and learning, too.

How has your online presence connected you with more farmers?

This has been special! I’ve gotten to know so many farmers across the country and Canada online. When we meet in person, it’s like we’re old-time friends. It’s a very special bond. And it’s great because if I have a question about farming that I’m not familiar with, I almost always have someone I know that I can ask. Now if you have questions about farming, you know to ask Wanda! Learn more about #RealPigFarming and crop farming in the Midwest by following “Minnesota Farm Living” on Facebook and on Twitter @MinnFarmer. From reading my blogs, you know I enjoy a good recipe as much as I enjoy a good story! I especially enjoy Wanda’s Whiskey Peach Pork Chops, which I downloaded this fall from Prairie Californian. Now I’m looking forward to trying her crockpot recipe for pulled pork. Hopefully, you will, too!

Team Latham

January 9, 2015

General, Pork, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Beginning a New Year with Family Traditions

Ringing in the New Year for this Franklin County family means celebrating Christmas and then heading to Hilton Coliseum to watch the Iowa State Men’s Basketball game.

Kari and the kids enjoying a New Years Eve game at Hilton Coliseum

“My parents, both of my sisters and one of my brothers-in-law all graduated from Iowa State, so we are truly a Cyclone Family,” said Kari (Berghoefer) Subbert of Hampton. “It’s a lot of fun to take our kids and teach them about Cyclone traditions.”

Another Cyclone tradition for the Berghoefer family is participating each spring in Cy’s House of Trivia. The family has entered as a team since the contest began in 2006. They’ve earned a spot in the Top 10 each year, placing third in 2013 and winning it all in 2014!

In addition to cheering on the Cyclones, Kari’s family shares a love of rural living. She and her husband, Nathan, lived in Cedar Rapids for nearly 10 years but knew they wanted to raise their children in a small town. Nathan grew up on a Century Farm in Greene County, north of Churdan, where his dad still farms. Kari grew up on a beef cattle and grain operation just south Hampton that has been in her family for three generations. When the opportunity came up to rent land upon her dad’s retirement, the couple jumped at the chance to pursue their dream of farming.

Nathan feels fortunate that he’s been able to telecommute for his job as a software engineer at Rockwell Collins, which was his full-time job before he began farming. His background in engineering helps him keep up-to-date with the new technology being used in agriculture, too.

Kari, who graduated with a degree in journalism, worked for a publishing company in Cedar Rapids. She still does freelance design work, and she’s a full-time mom to three very active children. Grant is almost nine and in third grade; six-year-old Maren is in kindergarten; and Henry is three. Grant enjoys reading, building with Legos, playing the piano and showing a bucket calf at the county fair. Maren likes her dance and tumbling classes, playing dress-up and drawing. Henry loves anything with wheels – especially trucks, tractors and trains.

Kari, Nathan, Maren, Grant and Henry Subbert

The Subbert children are learning life’s lessons from the farm. “This year was Grant’s second year taking a bucket calf. He’s learning that it takes a lot of time and responsibility to care for animals,” says Kari. “He knows that he must go feed the animals even if he doesn’t want to because they depend on him to take care of them no matter what. Grant is also learning perseverance. Those calves can be stubborn when you’re teaching them to lead, but you have to keep working at it.”

Outside the home, Kari enjoys volunteering for the Hampton-Dumont PTO and serving on the Hampton Community Christian Daycare board. Her hobbies include reading, photography and baking, which were sparked by her nine years as a member of the Reeve Royalties 4-H Club for nine years.

“We were always allowed to help in the kitchen growing up,” says Kari. “My mom would let me decide what kind of pies we were going to make for the 4-H and church food stands at the county fair, as long as I made them from start to finish. Those years of practice led me to become the official pie baker for all family gatherings, and I still make four pies each year for our church food stand at the Franklin County Fair.”

Even though she’s known across the county for her aesthetically pleasing and equally delicious pies, Kari’s kids prefer her homemade banana bread. Today she’s sharing with us that recipe plus another one of their favorite soup recipes. “Both are easy to make and comforting, especially in the winter,” she says. Go ahead and celebrate January Soup Month, beginning this weekend!

Sausage Vegetable Beef Soup

1 lb ground beef
1 T minced onion (dried or fresh)
12 oz kielbasa sausage
4 c (32 oz) beef broth
1 can diced tomatoes (with juice)
1 ½ c frozen mixed vegetables
1 c Wacky Mac pasta
Salt and pepper to taste

Brown ground beef with minced onion. Add broth and tomatoes. Mix in vegetables and pasta. Bring to a boil and then turn down heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Slice sausage into disks and heat in microwave. Add to soup with salt and pepper to taste, simmer 5 minutes and eat.

This is a soup that everyone in our family will eat – even the picky three-year-old. It’s easy to throw together on a weeknight and makes a hearty, filling meal. You can add other spices such as oregano, thyme or basil to change the flavor slightly as well.

Team Latham

January 2, 2015

General, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Rich Holiday Traditions “Make the Yuletide Gay”

The holiday season is rich in tradition. So many family Christmas traditions are related to food! We look forward to our annual meals, whether its oyster stew on Christmas Eve or beef tenderloin with Béarnaise sauce with a side of scalloped oysters on Christmas Day.

In response to a post by Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds on Facebook, customers and friends shared with us some of their family’s favorite holiday foods including: potato soup, squash casserole, cheesy creamed corn and spaghetti with homemade sauce. We definitely connote certain foods with special occasions. The taste and smell of certain foods can bring back beautiful memories and help us remember special people.

Dried fruits and nuts reminds me of my late grandma baking stollen on a few occasions while visiting me and my parents. My husband associates the smell of popcorn with his grandmother. Each year Evelyn Latham, wife of company founder Willard Latham, was known for making Christmas special for her 12 grandchildren with homemade popcorn balls and ice cream dessert.

As a family-owned company, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ is rooted in tradition. Right after Thanksgiving we put up the company tree in the lobby of our office, and each employee hangs the ornament with his/her name on it. We also enjoy a holiday potluck, and this potluck is like no other! Of course, we have to find new ways to celebrate Christmas in 2020 due to COVID-19, but we hope the potluck will be able to pick back up next year!

Each year there is such an abundance of food that we set up separate “buffet” tables for desserts, salads and hot dishes including pork loin, meatballs and cheeseburger soup. We were joking (at least I think we were) that it needs to become a two-day affair just so we have a chance to sample it all!

No matter how full we are, we still find room for sweets. Two of the most popular desserts we’ve had are mini Christmas Tree Cakes, which is the perfect size when you just want a little something sweet, and a beautifully decorated Yule Log.

The level of detail put into the frosting “bark” was impressive, and it certainly sparked an interesting dinnertime conversation. Some of our younger team members hadn’t heard of the word, “Yule.” Others weren’t familiar with the term “yule log.” Because I was a little curious about the history of the yule log, I did a little research and decided to share my findings on today’s blog.

“Yule” has several suggested origins, dating back to pagan religious festivals. The Old English word was geõla. The Old Norse word jõl. The Anglo-Saxon word for the Winter Solstice festival was lul, meaning “wheel” since old almanacs represented the Yule with a wheel. An important “turning point” in each year is Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day of the year and also the beginning of more daylight hours.

The Yule Log was originally an entire tree that was carefully chosen and brought into the house with great ceremony. The largest end of the log was placed into the hearth, while the rest of the tree stuck out into the room and was slowly fed into the fire throughout the Twelve Days of Christmas.

The Yule log tradition had been adapted throughout the years and varies by region. In parts of France, the whole family helps cut the log and a little bit is burned each night. If any of the log is left after Twelfth Night, it is kept safe until the next year. In some parts of Holland, the “leftover” log had to be stored under a bed until the following Winter Solstice. In some eastern European countries, the tree was cut down Christmas Eve morning and lit that evening. In the United Kingdom, the log was dried out and the bark was removed before it was brought into the house for burning.

Now that many homes have central heat, few people have wood-burning fireplaces. I’m guessing the Yule log is one holiday tradition that isn’t widely practiced anymore. After reading about its history, however, I’m inclined to adapt a new tradition for our family. We have a real Christmas tree, which could be chopped up in January and then enjoyed throughout the summer as a campfire. I learned that sprinkling different chemicals on a log will create different colored flames:

Potassium Nitrate Violet

Barium Nitrate Apple Green

Borax Vivid Green

Copper Sulphate Blue

Table Salt Bright Yellow

In honor of the Yule Log tradition, we are sharing a treasured recipe for the festive sponge cake.

Team Latham

December 19, 2014

Desserts, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Meet Steph Essick, 2014 Midwest Farm Mom of the Year

Traveling to the Windy City during the first week of December for the annual Executive Women in Ag (#EWA14) conference is my favorite getaway of the year – and it’s not just because we’re within walking distance of some of the best shopping in America. Honestly, I’ll bet more conference attendees tour the Chicago Board of Trade than visit the Miracle Mile as these female farm leaders are more concerned with financial statements than with fashion statements.

My favorite part of EWA is the opportunity to meet the women who are changing the face of agriculture… Women like April Hemmes, Jennie Schmidt, Nicole Yoder, Sally Hollis and Stephanie Essick.

“Stephanie exemplifies today’s farm mom!” wrote Sally Hollis in her nomination of Stephanie Essick as 2014 Farm Mom of the Year. “We’ve been family friends since birth, and Stephanie’s passion for farming excited me to join our family farm. She shares this passion with her Facebook page called ‘Life on an Iowa Farm’ and on Twitter @IAFarmLife. She educates the public, answers questions, addresses misconceptions from consumers, and shares amazing photos of daily family and farming life.”

A fourth generation farmer from Dickens in Northwest Iowa, Stephanie began farming full-time with her father upon earning her bachelor’s degree in 1999 from Iowa State University in Ag Business. Stephanie is key to her family farm’s success. In addition to managing the technology and doing the farm accounting, she plants and harvests corn and soybeans plus bales hay. Once the fall tillage is complete, Stephanie finalizes her input purchases for the following year’s crop.

“December is busy with bookwork and meetings plus delivering grain and hay,” says Stephanie. “We’re also planning for 2015 by buying inputs such as seed. The calendar fills up fast!”

In addition to being a full time farmer, Stephanie is active in the agriculture community. She is a volunteer spokesperson for CommonGround and communicates online to help others understand the importance of a healthy, abundant food supply. She also serves on the Iowa Soybean Association board of directors and has traveled to Mexico with ISA on a fact finding promotional mission. As a member of an Iowa Corn leadership group called I-Lead, Stephanie traveled to Japan and Taiwan on a market development and fact finding mission.

Stephanie also is involved in her local community. She and her husband chair the fellowship committee for their local church. She also volunteers to help with the Clay County Agricultural Breakfast and with commodity groups’ activities at the Clay County Fair.

“I make time to volunteer because I know how important it is for consumers to understand how their food is raised,” says Stephanie. “I want them to meet farmers like me who are proud of the crops they raise. I also want consumers to know that, just like them, I’m a wife and mother, too.”

Stephanie’s husband, Matt, works full time as an agronomist. Their son, who will turn 8 later this month, wants to grow up and become a farmer like his mom. In honor of his birthday, today Stephanie is sharing the recipe her son requested to take to school as birthday treats. This Iowa farm boy loves his Dirt Cups… with worms. After all, worms are a sign of healthy soils!

Team Latham

December 12, 2014

Desserts, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Nicole Yoder Sets the Facts Straight

This week I’ve been fortunate enough to attend the 4^th annual Executive Women in Agriculture (#EWA14) business seminar, which is designed for any farm woman interested in honing her business skills. Each year I look forward to this two-day seminar in Chicago because it provides opportunities to meet interesting female leaders from the U.S.

Today it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you fellow Iowan Nicole Yoder, who puts her Agricultural Communications degree to good use by blogging at Farm Girl Facts of Life. She also works fulltime in marketing for Firestone Agricultural Tires. In addition, Nicole and her husband run a farrow-to-finish hog operation and raise crops.

Nicole says she started blogging in 2013 because she saw gap in today’s society between where food comes from (the farm) and where it ends up (our mouths). Many people try to tell farmers’ stories without even talking to a farmer. Others, like the singer Cher, try to tell farmers how to do their jobs.

“I strive to bridge the gap between today’s modern farmers and consumers by telling the truth about today’s practices and being transparent,” says Nicole. “It has been a good fit for me being I grew up on a hog and crop farm, and married into the same thing.”

By blogging, Nicole hopes her readers will gain a better understanding about modern day pork production (#RealPigFarming). She writes about what’s happening on their farm, addresses controversial ag topics, as well as shares some recipes and her faith.

Honestly, I appreciate Nicole’s straightforward approach to answering consumers’ questions. I admire the way she advocates for agriculture. I also respect her willingness to share her beliefs and convictions. So if you’re not already following her, I hope you’ll start! She’s on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Why?

“I want people to know farmers are doing the best they can to provide a safe and wholesome product,” adds Nicole. “My husband and I eat the pork that we raise, so it’s in our best interest to provide a quality product for our family, as well as for consumers.”

To help promote the quality #pork her family raises, today Nicole is sharing with us one her favorite recipes for Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup.

Team Latham

December 5, 2014

General, Pork, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Christmas Gifts for the Entire Family

Guest Blog post by Val Plagge of Corn, Bean, Pigs and Kids

One of the items on my Holiday Check List for this week is to complete my Christmas gift lists. This includes not only finalizing my family’s wish list, but also deciding what gifts we will be giving others. I know I always appreciate some extra ideas to help with Christmas gifts so I figured I’d share some ideas from my family.

The Rural Outdoors Dad

Electric Smoker: If you don’t have an electric smoker you need to get this on your list this year! This is the perfect gift for the guy in your life (that you also can use!) You can use your smoker all year long and have a lot of fun experimenting with different types of meats, rubs, marinades, etc. Most sporting good stores have sections dedicated to smokers and outdoor cooking.

Yellow Work Gloves: What guy that works outside doesn’t need some new work gloves? For My Farmer his go-to pair of work gloves are the classic yellow work gloves. These are very affordable and you can buy them in large packages, so you always have a pair available! An added plus for those that wash clothes in your home, they can be easily thrown in the wash with your other chore clothes. These would also make a great stocking stuffer!

Ammunition Box: If you have a hunter or a trap shooter on your list like my husband, then they need an ammo box. Ammo boxes come in a variety of sizes and help your gunman’s (or gunwoman’s) ammunition stay organized, dry and safe. Many boxes are stackable as well so you can sort your ammunition into different boxes for your different firearms.

The Mom Who Likes To Keep Busy

Magazine Subscription: I will be the first to admit that I stay pretty busy – but what Mom doesn’t! I know this upcoming year I’m going to appreciate when I get a magazine in the mail to just sit and relax with. So whether you’re into cooking, home decor or would just like some more ideas of things to do with your kids, there is a magazine for you. This year I’m asking for a subscription to Family Fun. They always have a lot of great ideas!

Kitchen Gadgets and Tools: One thing I have on my wish list every year are at least a couple different new kitchen gadgets and tools. Sometimes they are brand new items I’ve always wanted but have never purchased for myself, while others are replacements for ones that I’ve had since college… I love to cook and bake and this year I’m hoping someone gives me some new silicone baking mats, pot handle grips, a bouncy whisk and a pie bird.

Learn A New Language Program: Maybe for some of you it is too early to start thinking about New Year’s Goals, but for me, I know I’d really like to learn how to speak Spanish. So on my list this year I’m hoping someone will help me with that goal by giving me a Spanish language learning program.

The Imaginative Hands-On 3 Year Old Boy

Walkie Talkies: On our farm we use two-way radios and our son loves using them, so we’re going to give him his own pair this Christmas. What a fun toy for boys and girls to use with their siblings and friends! I remember having some when I was a kid and my sisters and I loved playing with them.

Building Toys: Whether it is Legos, Lincoln Logs or simply blocks of different sizes and shapes, kids love building things. This year while making wish lists we saw some really neat building sets that use bolts and screws, to magnetic colored shapes, to gears. There are so many fun sets available that will help your preschooler use their imagination.

Hot Wheels Car Maker Playset: My son loves anything with wheels and he loves to make crafts. So why not combine those loves and get him a Hot Wheels Car Maker! He gets to pick out the car type, color and decals. This should be a lot of fun to make and play with!

The Happy Go Lucky 18 Month Old Girl

Melissa and Doug Learning Sets: Who doesn’t Love Melissa and Doug products? One thing I’ve looked into for MP this Christmas is some of their learning sets. They have learning sets from food, to occupations. Most of these sets are wooden, and some are available in felt too. There are so many neat ideas they have – the hard part will be choosing exactly which one to buy!

Books and CDs – We personally give our kids one piece of clothing, one toy and one book (3 gifts to represent the 3 gifts Jesus received) for Christmas gifts. Reading is so important to us so we are always looking for new books for our kids. We also like to get our kids a new CD in their stocking every year too. This year our library has gotten us hooked on Laurie Berkner! If you have any preschoolers and under on your shopping list this year you’ll have to check out her catchy songs like “We are the Dinosaurs”, “These are my Glasses” and “I Know a Chicken”.

“Little Helper” tools – My daughter loves to imitate her big brother, her dad and me, so why not get her some “pint-size” tools to help her do so. You can find fun kids sized brooms, vacuums, aprons, tool sets, etc. to help your little one help you – whatever the task may be!

What are some ideas on your wish list? What gifts are you excited to give this year?

During this busy time of the year, we’re either looking for a quick snack to tide us over until we have time for a real meal or we’re looking to treat ourselves to a something a little sweet or salty. Enjoy the best of both with this quick, easy Sweet & Salty Snack Mix.

Team Latham

November 28, 2014

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

Meet the Farmers behind Your Thanksgiving Turkey
With Thanksgiving preparations underway, it seems like everyone is talking turkey. Thanks (insert sarcasm) to the FoodBabe, some folks are questioning whether their Thanksgiving turkey is safe to eat.

So Iowa turkey farmer Katie Olthoff is setting the record straight! Earlier this month she drafted a response to the FoodBabe’s unfounded and erroneous information to give consumers the truth about turkey:

“As farmers, we have two top priorities: animal welfare and food safety. Every single decision we make that influences either of those outcomes is thoroughly researched by my husband and I and the network of veterinarians, animal nutritionists, and scientists we work with regularly.”

Earlier this week, Bart and Katie took viewers inside their turkey barns during an interview by ABC5. They’re also sharing the facts through a new book, My Family’s Farm, which is available online. This week Katie was gracious enough to answer some interview questions below, so I hope you’ll enjoy learning more about her family’s farm and her new book!

Shannon: Tell us about your new book.

Katie: My Family’s Farm is a non-fiction children’s book written about our farm from the point of view of our 6-year-old son, Adam. It features photographs of our farm and additional text for older students and adults.

Shannon: What prompted you to write the book?

Katie: A couple of years ago, Adam asked me why we don’t live on a “regular farm.” He thought we should have a couple of pigs, a dairy cow and some sheep. I realized that children’s media only portrays livestock farms like “Old MacDonald’s.”

I wanted to show modern livestock farms, and help my son and others realize that our farm is a “regular farm.”

Shannon: Two years ago… so this has been in the works a while.

Katie: Yes, writing the book was the easy part. The photography took longer, but the real issue was publishing. Getting a book published through a traditional publisher is a challenge. The Iowa Turkey Federation offered to help me self-publish the book, so I took them up on their offer and finished the project.

Shannon: How can people get a copy of the book?

Katie: The best way is to check it out online! It is available as a FREE e-book at www.onthebanksofsquawcreek.com or www.iowaturkey.org. The Iowa Turkey Federation is graciously giving away copies to teachers in Iowa, too. Just email katie@iowaturkey.org to request your copy.

Shannon: One final questions, “Does your family eat a lot of turkey?”

Katie: We sure do! At least one of us eats turkey every day! My boys are sort of picky eaters, but they love turkey pepperoni and lunchmeat. I use turkey instead of chicken and ground turkey instead of ground beef in almost all of my cooking.

Today on the TheFieldPosition, Katie is sharing her son’s favorite Turkey Snack Sandwiches. Here are a a few additional recipes you can make.

Additional Turkey Recipes:
- - Hot Turkey Dip – a snack for the grown-ups, courtesy Iowa Turkey Federation
  - Slow Cooked Turkey Breast
  - Turkey Lemon Garlic Rotini with Zucchini
Team Latham

November 21, 2014

General, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Celebrating Farm Fresh Foods with Local Flavor
“Farm to Table” is a concept every farmer understands. After all, those of us from rural America were raised on the foods that were either produced on our farms or grown by family members and neighbors. We know firsthand that farm fresh is best!

Now more consumers than ever share our opinion. Sixty-two percent of restaurants reported featuring locally-sourced produce in 2013. The farm-to-table trend has accelerated in 2014, according to Restaurant.com, because diners desire the wholesome simplicity of homestyle cooking and minimally-processed foods. Renowned chefs are serving up dishes that more closely resemble those that graced grandma’s kitchen table.

Using the freshest ingredients in creative ways brings communities together through agri-tourism. Last week Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ graphic designer Amy Hild wrote about her Farm to Table dining experience. Last night John and I enjoyed attending a similar meal with friends in Sheffield. From appetizer to dessert, the main ingredients were sourced from Franklin County Iowa.

The evening started with the most unique appetizer, featuring bison raised by Emily Pfaltzgraff and her family. Chef Todd Merfeld nestled a bison meatball inside a won ton and infused a little spice into locally grown strawberries, creating a masterful sweet & sour sauce. I’m not sure how to recreate this at home, but I would love to try!

The next course featured greens and candied hazelnuts from Koenigs Acres topped with apples from Enchanted Acres. The featured soup was Potato and Leek Soup with ingredients grown by Koenigs Acres.

Fitting for fall, the entrée was Neiman Ranch pork loin with a side of squash risotto.

The fifth and final course of the evening was homemade pumpkin pie… What an encore it was! Cathy Carlson of Carlson Tree Farm grew the wheat, which she harvested and then milled. She used homegrown wheat flour to make a flakey crust. Yours truly made pumpkin puree from the fruit we grew at Enchanted Acres. The combination was divine, if I do say so myself.

Last night’s Farm to Fork Dinner was so delicious that I’m inspired to try recreating it at home – with a few modifications to accommodate the way I cook. (Everything I make must be relatively simple.) Below is the menu with links to the recipes I’m planning to try:
Since I don’t have a gift for making a light and flakey crust, I’m intrigued by the Pioneer Woman’s recipe for Pumpkin Cream Pie. The graham cracker crust won’t take much time at all to make, and it will be a great use of the many graham crackers leftover from campfires held at our pumpkin patch. I plan to puree one of my remaining pie pumpkins for the cream pie, and then roast the seeds. My kids absolutely love roasted pumpkin seeds!

Plus, I’m looking forward to trying the following recipe for Caramelized Pork Tenderloin. The beautiful centerpieces gracing the tables last night – made from specialty pumpkins grown at Enchanted Acres – have inspired me to create a beautiful centerpiece of my own. After all, a beautiful meal deserves a beautiful table!
Team Latham

November 8, 2014

General, Pork, Recipes