Celebrate Pi Day with a Slice of Iowa’s Unofficial State Pie!
Happy Pi Day to math enthusiasts and pie lovers alike! Today we celebrate the irrational wonder of pi (3.14…) and a uniquely delicious pie that holds a special place in my heart: the sour cream raisin pie.
Iowa proudly claims this sweet and tangy treat as its unofficial state pie, according to Taste of Home magazine. While it may raise eyebrows outside the Hawkeye State, this pie is a beloved tradition. Generations of Iowa have enjoyed its creamy custard filling, plump raisins and delicate meringue topping.
Sour cream raisin pie was the first pie I learned to make. When I was 10 years old, my neighbor helped me make it for a 4-H pie sale.
So, why sour cream raisin pie? Here are a few reasons:
Homegrown Goodness: The origins of the pie are traced back to the Amish and Mennonite communities in Iowa. They use readily available ingredients like eggs, sugar and raisins.
A Taste of Comfort: This pie embodies the spirit of Midwestern hospitality – it’s simple, wholesome and perfect for sharing with loved ones.
Uniquely Delicious: Don’t knock it till you try it! The combination of sweet and tart, creamy and chewy, creates a delightful flavor profile that has won over many a skeptic.
On this Pi Day, ditch the traditional and embrace the unique. Whip up a batch of sour cream raisin pie, celebrate the beauty of pi, and experience a taste of Iowa’s culinary heritage.
Happy Pi Day from Latham Seeds!
Now that you have pie on the brain. Check out these other fun blogs and recipes:
Each year International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women across all walks of life. This year we turn our focus to the incredible contributions of women in Iowa, both in the field of agriculture and in many other leadership positions.
From the very beginning, Iowa women have played a vital role in agriculture. The state’s rich agricultural heritage is deeply intertwined with the stories of countless women who have blazed new trails. Their hard work and dedication have helped shape the industry into what it is today.
We can find inspiration in the stories of Iowa women like Evelyn Latham, April Hemmes, Pam Bolin, Trish Cook, Patty Judge and Dr. Wendy Wintersteen. Each of these women have made significant contributions to agriculture — from leadership roles in agricultural organizations, to politics, to groundbreaking research and innovation.
Evelyn LathamApril HemmesDr. Wendy Wintersteen
But the impact of Iowa women extends far beyond these fields. The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, marked a pivotal moment in American history, paving the way for women to hold positions of leadership. Iowa has been at the forefront of this movement with women like Carrie Chapman Catt, a leader in the women’s suffrage movement, who have left their mark on the state’s history.
Today we see this legacy reflected in the leadership of women like Governor Kim Reynolds, the first female governor of Iowa, and Sen. Joni Ernst,, the first female U.S. senator from our state.
These women — including Dr. Wendy Wintersteen, the first female president of Iowa State University, and Speaker Linda Upmeyer, the first woman to serve as Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives — serve as powerful examples for young girls across Iowa.
Their stories remind us that women can achieve anything they set their minds to, whether it’s leading a farm, governing a state or breaking barriers in any field.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let us honor the remarkable women of Iowa who continue to inspire and pave the way for a brighter future.
Enjoy a family favorite recipe from 1962 Master Homemaker and Matriarch of the Latham Family – Evelyn Latham.
It’s National Heart Month! Over the years we’ve shared many tips and tricks for staying heart healthy. A good number of these tips have come from dieticians we’ve met along the way, as well as the smart folks at the Iowa Food & Family Project. Today we’re pulling some of them all together right here, and we invite you to join us in our journey toward better health and wellness.
Here are a few simple steps to get started:
Protect your sleep. When we are tired, we tend to reach for unhealthy snacks or beverages like energy drinks or sugary foods. This causes disturbed sleep cycles, which can wreak havoc on our appetite hormones, mental performance and immune response. Poor sleep can also drive insulin resistance, which is one of the strongest risk factors for weight gain and obesity. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep every night to give your body the rest it needs.
Practice self-care. Physical fitness is always important, but we also need to take care of our mind, body and spirit so we can be healthy. Self-care looks different for everyone, but some examples include journaling, breathing exercises, brisk walks outside, dancing, riding a bike or enjoying a bubble bath with a bath bomb! No one can maintain a healthy, active lifestyle without a little “me” time.
Eat well. To really give your heart some love, eat these three foods:
Low-carb Vegetables. Examples: green beans, broccoli, spinach, kale, mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash, Brussels sprouts. These veggies are loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber and are low-calorie in comparison to other food groups.
Walnuts. Walnuts are primarily a healthy fat source with some carbohydrate and a little bit of protein. They are high in vitamin B6, folate, thiamin – playing a role in cellular energy and a healthy nervous system.
Salmon/Tuna. Salmon and tuna are both fatty fish and are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, a polyunsaturated fat. The American Heart Association considers 3.5 ounces of cooked fish or ¾ cup to be a single serving. For adults, two servings per week are recommended to help lower risk for heart disease.
This recipe brings all three of these foods into a simple, one-pan meal. It’s a warm salad with heart-healthy ingredients that’s perfect for any February night.
We have a winner of our grand prize drawing in celebration of #NationalSoupMonth!
A big ladle-ful of thanks to everyone who blew our taste buds away with their family favorite soup recipes. We hope you all enjoy your free Latham ladle as a gift for sharing with us. May it serve up plenty more bowls of souper memories.
We’re happy to announce the winner of our grand prize drawing is Emily Stoesz of Minnesota! Emily wins a new Ninja Foodi Cooker — the perfect kitchen upgrade for soup-erior soups and much, much more.
Check out Emily’s recipe for Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup and thanks for having fun with us! Enjoy the Super Bowl with your family and friends!
To keep the week rolling, our friend Cindy Bousema shares a warm and hearty soup recipe that’s perfect on a cold Iowa night. Thanks to everyone who shared their favorite recipes with us for #NationalSoupMonth. Be on the lookout for your souper Latham ladle coming soon in the mail — and stay tuned to find out who wins the grand prize drawing for a new Ninja Foodi Cooker!
When it’s cold outside, this recipe is the next best thing to outdoor grilling. Thanks to Traci Sturgeon for sharing a souper family favorite with us! We hope you enjoy your Latham ladle — and good luck in our grand prize drawing for a new Ninja Foodi Cooker. #NationalSoupMonth #SouperBowlCountdown
Prepare to score big and gain fans this Sunday with this souper recipe from our friend Travis Morey. Thanks to everyone who shared their family favorites with us for #NationalSoupMonth. Be on the lookout for your souper Latham ladle coming soon in the mail — and stay tuned to find out who wins the grand prize drawing for a new Ninja Foodi Cooker! Take note of the recipe below.
They met in 1989 at the Best Western hotel in Moline, Illinois to talk about the challenges facing seed companies at the time. Among those present was Bill Latham, who wanted to work alongside like-minded advocates of independent seed businesses.
The group’s main concern? How to keep from being shut out of the best genetics and early traits in soybeans (and later corn) as those traits came into the marketplace.
Chris Latham, who was 16 years old, remembers lots of “kitchen table talk” at his home in Alexander, Iowa, where Bill and others actively brainstormed ways to move forward.
“It was frankly a scary time,” Chris says. “The future was very uncertain as large companies could have easily shut out independents.”
As a result of those early discussions, however, the Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA) was born. Fast forward 35 years later: Bill Latham’s sons, Chris and John, are still carrying on their father’s example as stewards in the industry.
“IPSA has always had great innovators, my father included,” says Chris, who just concluded a one-year term as president of the organization. He previously served as president of the Iowa Seed Association, and older brother John continues to serve on the board of the American Seed Trade Association.
Chris Latham, CFO for Latham Seeds
“Independent companies provide a critical pathway for new products and ideas — outside what global seed companies can offer,” Chris says. “The inherent nature of independent companies is to find innovative ways to create value for farmers outside of the traditional trait and genetic pathways.”
Chris says his goal as IPSA president was to tell its members’ stories through bold and humble leadership. He also aimed to help the industry push forward, despite many mergers and consolidations among the global companies. Often, he says, Wall Street undervalues the benefits that independent companies bring to agriculture — a lesson he learned not only from his father but as CFO of Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds.
“I always admired Dad’s desire to learn about things and to apply it to whatever he did,” says Chris, who recalls summer vacations spent road-tripping across the United States, taking in the sights on their way to the latest seed industry convention. “I literally grew up in the seed business.”
After graduating from CAL High School in Latimer, Iowa, Chris majored in Finance at Drake University. He graduated in May 1995 and worked full-time in the banking industry. On Saturdays, he attended classes at Iowa State University in Ames to earn a Master of Business Administration.
Chris, his brother John and sister-in-law Shannon Latham purchased the family’s flagship soybean seed company in 2009 as the third-generation owners.
“While my background was not in agronomy, I felt I was in the right place and time to help grow the business,” Chris says. “John and Shannon have backgrounds in sales and marketing respectively. We each have unique roles, so we can contribute in our own way.”
Chris’s wife, Ann, is a family and child psychologist. She specializes in helping kids with learning challenges. They live in Urbandale, Iowa, and have three children: Will, Courtney and Morgan.
He shares his favorite recipe Turkey Tetrazzini below.
Forging Family, Friends and Farming is Their Favorite Pastime
Diana Madsen grew up in a Minneapolis suburb, but the transition to small-town living was much easier than expected when she married Mike and moved into the farmhouse where his mother was raised.
Mike and Diana Madsen
Mike and Diana’s moms were childhood friends. Their parents even double dated while they were in high school.
When Diana’s family visited Heron Lake in the summers, it was common for the two families to gather. Their families stayed in touch throughout the years, but Mike and Diana didn’t start dating until they had graduated from college.
“I’ve always enjoyed farming and that’s all I’ve ever really wanted to do,” says Mike, who started farming in 1991 with his father. “I didn’t play football because I didn’t want to miss out on harvest.”
While rural living is different from Diana’s suburban childhood, she feels blessed to raise her family on the Stenzel Century Farm.
“The thing I love most is that your neighbors are your friends here,” she says. “Your neighbors and others in the community are always offering support in times of need. The other piece is that people are always looking out for your kids, too.”
Mike and Diana appreciate having flexible work schedules that allow them to maximize their family time. Diana worked for years as the Associate Director of Active Aging Programs at Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota. In addition to farming, Mike operates a Latham® dealership.
“What I enjoy most about selling seed is interacting with other farmers,” he says. “I decided to take on a Latham® dealership because Latham Seeds is a family-owned company that offers all the seed technology options available on the market.”
Mike and Diana are the proud parents of three grown children: Sarah, Andrew and Matt.
Because it’s National Soup Month, the Madsens are sharing one of their favorite recipes for a snowy January day.
