April Hemmes of Hampton, Iowa, is a fourth generation farmer in Franklin County.  She’s been farming since 1985 on land that has been in her family since 1901, but her operation is a little different from what one might expect.  April’s husband, Tom Kazmerzak, has a job in town and doesn’t work on the farm.  April is the primary farm operator, and she was named “Midwest Farm Mom of the Year” in 2011.

“One of my fondest childhood memories is riding in the combine with my grandpa, and I learned a lot from him through the years,” says April.  “I love that my daughter and my son grew up on the same farm and had some of the same farm experiences that I had,” adds April.  “There’s nothing like being a farm kid.”

Many farm experiences are intertwined with 4-H experiences for April’s children.  Her son, Ethan, was a 9-year 4-H member and was a member of the Franklin County 4-H Council.  He was active in the Writers Club where he learned to express himself through short and poems.  Active in jazz, marching and concert bands, Ethan explored his passion for music through a 4-H self-determined project.  He went onto pursue music and English at the University of Iowa.

April’s daughter, Ruth, also was active in 4-H for nine years.  She earned the State Photography Award and completed agronomy projects and showed beef.  Ruth served as president, vice president and secretary of her 4-H club.  She also was selected to serve on the Franklin County 4-H Council and participated in the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference.  In addition, Ruth was named the 2012 Franklin County Fair Queen.

“Throughout my years as a 4-H member, I learned many things from basic leadership skills in meetings, to club field trips, and a variety of projects.  Showing cattle taught me responsibility: I fed my cattle in the morning and evening plus worked with them and bathed them once or twice a week.  While I enjoyed all of my 4-H projects, I was especially interested in photography,” says Ruth Kazmerzak, who’s currently a freshman at University of Washington in Seattle where she’s studying Aquatic and Fishery Sciences and Photography.

Hemmes Farm History

The Koch-Hemmes home farm was established in 1901 by J.P. Koch.  His mother’s family had emigrated in 1738 from Bignen, Germany, to Pennsylvania where they bought a farm.  While other family members remained in Pennsylvania, J.P. came to Iowa because his aunt had written to him about the “riches of the land.”  J.P. found more than land upon his arrival; he also took a bride in 1890.

Newlyweds J.P. and Lavina moved to an acreage about 10 miles north of Iowa Falls.  Their marriage was blessed with five children: Harold, Gerald, Ralph, Kenneth and Velma.  Velma Koch married Bert Hemmes in 1925, and a few short years later, they purchased the farm from J.P. and Lavina.

Velma gave birth to their first son, Harlan, in 1929 and another, Jerry, in 1934.  In the coming years, Bert had to work with his banker to keep the farm running.  The Depression years were especially challenging, but Bert took great pride in saving the farm from the “big shot” from Des Moines who traveled north to buy up all the loans.  Advised by a local banker to “let things go,” Bert let the weeds grow and the barn door fall off.  Mr. Big Shot ended up driving right past the Koch-Hemmes farm, dust rising all the way as he sped back to Des Moines.  The next year Bert made his payment, and his farm stayed in the family.

As these hard years passed, Bert and Velma added many more acres to the land they owned.  Harlan came home from WWII and then school in the mid-1950s to farm with his father.  The two ran a diversified farm of corn, soybeans, hay, cattle, hogs, sheep and chickens.

Harlan married Sally Peterson in 1957, and they had four children:  Sarah, April, Harlan II and Heather.  April presently resides and farms the land, which she and her husband purchased.  In 2001, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture recognized the Hemmes family at the Iowa State Fair with a Century Farm Award.

As a tribute to her German ancestry, today April shares with us an old family recipe for Molasses Cookies.  Molasses was first used to sweeten foods because it was more affordable than sugar.  The aroma of cinnamon, cloves and ginger mingled with molasses evokes warm memories of grandma’s house.  Mix up a batch and bake someone happy!

Snowy Fun with the Kids (Pinterest inspired)

Part 3 in our series, “Setting Successful New Year’s Resolutions,” brings us to the goal of spending more time with family.  Adults and kids alike have busy schedules that keep families hopping day in and day out at the expense of quality time together.  The key is to schedule specific days – or even an hour or two – just to enjoy each other’s company and have fun.

Here are some Pinterest-inspired ideas to help you enjoy some quality time this winter with your family.

CREATE WITH MOTHER NATURE’S BEAUTY

• “Marble” driveway décor

Fill balloons with water and add in a few drops of food coloring.  Tie the balloon and arrange them along your driveway or walk way.  A few hours later, return to your creations and pop the balloons.  The result is sure to make your kids smile at the colorful marble décor they create.

• Make a snowman with a twist!
• Paint masterpieces in the snow

Food coloring + water + squeeze bottles = Low mess fun.

HEAD BACK IN FOR SOME WARM COCOA AND FUN IN THE KITCHEN (See Recipe Below)

DRIVE-IN INDOOR MOVIE NIGHT

As the day comes to a close, and you’re finished with supper, how about a “Drive-In Movie Night”.  This idea comes from a blog called Homemaking Fun, and I just love the special touches she added to make it just like having the theatre in the living room.  Each kid brings in a pillow and blanket and decorates a cardboard box like a car using markers, paper plates etc.

Set up a concession stand with snacks and drinks.  Give each child some paper money to “buy” their movie ticket with one dollar and the remaining $6 can buy whatever they want for snack.  More details on her blog here.

I hope these ideas help you find ways to spend more time making memories with your family in 2013!  For more snow day activities, we invite you to link up to these stories or visit our Pinterest page.

• Things to Do on a Snow Day
• Fighting Cabin Fever with Good Food and Fun Activities

Colder temperatures and snow fall bring new challenges to the Midwest, but this South Dakota family says the changing of the seasons makes farming all the more interesting.

“We really enjoy farming because it offers interesting challenges each and every day,” says Jon Braun, who farms with his wife, Lesley, and his brother, Tim, just west of Aberdeen, SD.  Their family farming operation consists of corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa plus 300 head of stock cows.

Farm duties are shared, with each family member focusing on a particular area.  Jon is responsible for making the crop decisions while Tim focuses on the livestock.  Lesley manages a feeder pig unit plus takes care of the horses, goats, chickens and dogs.  Their children help wherever it’s needed and are especially involved during planting and harvest or when the cattle need to be corralled.

“It’s a rewarding career.  Plus, farming offers a level of flexibility that a normal 9 to 5 job wouldn’t,” adds Lesley.  “This flexibility has allowed us the opportunity to see our children participate in sports and other activities.”

Lesley is often in the barn by 4 a.m. and home by 12:30 or 1:00 p.m., which has allowed her to attend school and community activities.  Since Jon and Lesley have three very active children, there have been many schedules to coordinate.  Cody Braun, 25, is an area sales manager with Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds in Aberdeen.  He is engaged to Samantha Shannon, a service coordinator with Birth to Three, a state-run program that assists children with special needs.  Kyle Braun, 23, is a senior at Dakota State University in Madison, SD, where he’s majoring in physical education / coaching and playing baseball for DSU.  Kaylee Braun, 13, is an eighth grader at Ipswich High School where she’s involved in volleyball, basketball, softball, and track.  She serves as secretary for her local 4-H club and is a member of the 4-H expansion committee.  In her free time, Kaylee enjoys training horses and competing in barrels and poles in rodeos.

“Raising our children on a farm has taught them a lot about responsibility and hard work,” says Lesley.  “It also gives them a chance to experience a variety of activities.”

This holiday season, after the livestock is fed, the Brauns will look forward to celebrating with family, friends – and food, of course!  Their celebration just wouldn’t be the same without Leslie’s signature Cookie Salad.  Today she’s sharing it on TheFieldPosition.com.

P.S.  Set tradition aside and treat Santa to some Cookie Salad this year!  It sounds like something even the elves would enjoy.  😉

Committed… is the single word that might best describe Latham® customer Dennis Morgan of Ogden, Iowa. He’s a husband, father, grandfather classic organist, crop farmer, Christmas tree farmer, gardener, carpenter and carver.  He also loves to cook.

“I love to farm. I love to sing. I love to play the pipe organ. I’ve combined all of these things into life, so there’s always a season to enjoy,” he says with a smile.

Playing organ has been 47-year commitment for this Boone County native. Dennis has served as a church organist from the time he was 16 years old. He played in Ogden for 36 years and has been playing in Perry for the past 12 years. Through the years, he’s played for almost 4,000 funerals and 1,500 weddings.

“I’ve played for classmates, then my classmates’ children and now for my classmates’ children’s children.”

Dennis actively served as church organist even while attending Iowa State University. He drove home from Ames on Wednesday nights for choir practice and then again on Sunday to play for the church service. He also pursued his love of singing with voice training that led to a spot in the Iowa All-State Chorus through the high school vocal music department.

Not only has Dennis been committed to music, but he was committed to farming and to earning his degree. He helped his father on the farm from planting through harvest, which left only the winter quarter open to attend college classes. As a result, it took seven years for Dennis to earn his Bachelors of Science degree in Farm Operations but he did it!

“You can always make time to pursue your dreams and your passions,” says Dennis, who met his wife, Linda, when she was traveling as a contemporary Christian singer and performed in his community. Linda’s parents were caretakers for the Assembly of God campgrounds, just outside Ogden, for 25 years.

After they were married, both Dennis and Linda helped cook on weekends for 50 to 500 guests. A quaint, gingerbread-esque cottage that used to be housed on the campgrounds has a place today on the Morgan’s farm. Linda used to teach piano lessons there, but she now works as a contractor for various organizations.

In addition to serving his community, Dennis served his country. He retired in 2009 with 20 years of service in the Iowa National Guard. Today his son, Paul, and daughter-in-law Heather continue to serve. Paul also farms with Dennis, and he and Heather are the proud parents of daughter Mia.

The Morgan’s oldest son, Luke, and their daughter, Anna, both help make wreaths during the Christmas season. Anna is married to Matt Haub and they have three sons: Carter, Gabriel, and Christian. Newlywed Luke and his wife, Tiffany, live in Boone. They’re expecting a child in June and have a son, Ben.

In the midst of raising their family and following their varied career paths, Dennis and Linda managed to plant Christmas trees. Their first trees were planted in 1985.

Tending a Christmas tree farm takes lots of time and energy. It takes five to six years for a tree to reach 5 to 6 feet in height. Seedlings are planted March and April. Trees are trimmed in June and July before new growth hardens; then tree farms are open for tagging and sales in early winter. The Morgan Tree Farm is open daily from Black Friday through Christmas Eve, from daylight to dark.

Wreaths were added to the Morgans’ product lineup in 1995 and have gained in popularity each year. Dennis says they like to have 30 to 40 wreaths available when the tree farm opens from the season, so making and decorating wreaths has become a Thanksgiving Day tradition for family members who come to their farm for a turkey dinner.

The opportunity to watch other families enjoy their own traditions has been a high point of his Christmas tree farm, says Dennis. Many of the same families come to his farm, year after year.

“It’s fun to watch the kids grow. Some people started coming when they were 2 or 3 years old and now bring their children to the farm. Some parents, who brought their young children with them to pick out fresh trees, are now bringing their grandchildren to the farm. I really enjoy seeing families take their annual photos in ‘the spot’ or hear about their traditions like making ornaments by cutting off the bottom of the trunk and burning in the year.”

One Christmas tradition the Morgan’s enjoy is making suet pudding. Dennis says the tradition began when he was a child. He “learned all the tricks of the trade” from his grandmothers, one of whom was German and the other who was Swedish.

“My grandmothers were naturalists before there was a name for it,” says Dennis. “They made the most of their natural resources by canning and cooking from scratch. All I wanted when they passed away was their recipe boxes, and I got them!”

Straight from one of those recipe boxes, today Dennis is sharing a time-tested recipe for Christmas Suet Pudding. He’s also sharing a recipe for Sloppy Joes that Santa himself taste-tested last weekend when he visited the Morgan Tree Farm to take photos with children and families.

Guten Appetit! Smaklig måltid!

FFA Barbecue

Ingredients:

• 1 pound hamburger
• 1½ T brown sugar
• ¼ c. chopped onion
• ½ c. ketchup
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. pepper
• 1 T. vinegar
• 1 tsp. chili powder

Directions:

1. Brown hamburger with onion and add the rest of ingredients.  Serve on buns.  Recipe multiplied five times will serve 20-25 people.

Sara Mohr was the photographer and she put us in touch with the Santa.  Santa had the most authentic looking reindeer.  When I looked out the reindeer, I would’ve sworn they were real!

COOK’S TIP:   Don’t chintz on the ingredients!  This recipe is delicious just as it’s written.  Last Saturday Santa Clause visited our tree farm to take photos with families, so we treated him to these maid-rites for lunch.  He said, “What would it take to get this recipe?”  We sent him home with a copy of it to share with Mrs. C.

Tyler and Michelle Sandven are happy to make their home in rural Humboldt, Iowa, where’s plenty of wide, open space for their energetic girls to roam.  Their oldest daughter, Sydnie, is 9; Rylie is 8 years old.  Their twins, Kylan and Kynlie, are 18 months old.

“We feel fortunate to raise our family on a farm where they’re sure to develop a good work ethic,” says Tyler.  “They really enjoy the animals and helping with chores.  Our older girls especially enjoy riding in the cab of the tractor while the cattle are being fed.  They also like helping bottle feed the calves.”

Having a family who shares his love of agriculture makes this Iowa farmer proud.

“Farming is all I ever wanted to do,” says Tyler, who was raised on a diversified farm in Humboldt County.  After graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in Ag Business, he was eager to return to the family’s farming operation.

Together with his dad and his brother, Tyler raises cow-calf pairs and has a feeder to finish cattle operation.  The family also feed hogs and raise a few horses, which his father especially enjoys riding.  Tyler, on the other hand, prefers to ride something with a motor.  In his spare time, he especially enjoys riding motorcycles and snowmobiles.  Riding a Harley across the Hawaiian island of Maui is one of Tyler and Michelle’s favorite memories.

Combining is passion for motorcycles with his love of farming are a few of the reasons Tyler enjoys his partnership with Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds.

“I like working with a family-owned business whose owners share a lot of our same values,” says Tyler.  “Plus, no one else hosts an annual Freedom of Independence Ride.  Latham’s annual “field day on wheels” has become an annual tradition for our family, as well as for some of my customers.  While it’s not for everyone, it’s an especially good time for those of us who enjoy riding bikes and taking in the countryside.”

Tyler has been a Latham® dealer for the past six years and appreciates having a solid lineup to sell of corn, soybeans and alfalfa.  For the second year in a row, Latham’s LH 5877 VT3 PRO was the Sandven’s top performer.  Even in extremely challenging conditions during the 2012 growing season, LH 5877 VT3 PRO produced a whole field average this fall of 190 bushels/acre, corn-on-corn.

While Tyler is high on this hybrid, he also understands the importance of “planting a package.”  He encourages farmers to plant a minimum of three or four different Latham® corn or soybean products with a mixture of offensive and defensive traits.  He says farmers also will want to mix maturities to reduce your risk.

Tyler will gladly visit with local farmers about the best products for their situations.  And if you’re lucky, Michelle might even treat you to a piece of her homemade Pumpkin Roll.  Today, just in time for the holidays, she’s sharing her recipe with us on TheFieldPosition.com.