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Chicken Pot Pie by Nick & Meg Benson

Webspec Admin

March 14, 2014

General, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

BBQ Chicken Pie by Sarah Mumm

Team Latham

March 14, 2014

General, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Former FFA Officers “Exert an Influence” by Coming Home

Lisa Ahrens Peterson as National FFA President, 1988-89

Lisa Ahrens Peterson and her husband, J.R., didn’t merely recite The Creed as FFA members. They’ve been living each day, for more than a decade, according these very words.

As a member of the Osage FFA Chapter, Lisa served her local chapter as reporter and president. She also served as: District Vice President, 1995-96; North Central State Vice President, 1996-97; State President, 1997-98; and National FFA President from 1998-99.

“All of my job opportunities were as a result of my FFA experiences, and the network of individuals I met through the years. I also believe that I advanced in my career faster because of the skill set I gained through FFA including leadership, public speaking and teamwork.”

“FFA helped me in college, as well,” adds Lisa. “As a result of my FFA experiences, I was selected for Iowa State University’s President’s Leadership Class. Approximately 30 incoming freshman were chosen and met weekly with President Jischke at his house. I got to know President Jischke very well, and he eventually recommended me for the State Board of Regents. Governor Branstad knew me from my State FFA officer days and recommended me to the Iowa Senate for confirmation. I spent the next 5 years serving on the board. It all began with FFA!”

FFA is a tremendous vehicle to teach leadership, provide personal growth opportunities, and prepare young people for a career in one of over 300 ag-related careers. Lisa said she’s amazed at the number of people she’s met who credit FFA to their success. One such individual is ISU’s Dr. Neil Harl, a nationally recognized expert on taxation, estate planning, business planning and agricultural law. Dr. Harl credits FFA public speaking contests for helping him cure his stutter.

J.R. and Lisa Peterson are excited about the opportunity to return to their family farm near Osage, Iowa

Another individual Lisa met through FFA became her husband. She and J.R. met when they were both candidates for national office. Lisa was elected national president, and the National FFA Organization hired J.R. to staff Made for Excellence and the Washington Leadership Conferences. A few years after they were married, J.R. went to work for the National FFA Foundation as Director of Corporate Contributions. Lisa worked for Dow AgroSciences for one year, and then joined the Agri Business Group (ABG) as a senior business analyst. ABG became part of Adayana, and Lisa worked there for nine years.

After her children were born, Lisa chose to work part-time for Adayana as special projects manager. Today Lisa is proud to have the title of “stay at home mom” for three: Ethan, 6; Anna, 4; and Elise, 18 months. She also feels blessed to return to the farm where she was raised.

“I am now the third generation to live on this farmstead and in this house!” says Lisa with excitement. “I love the freedom we have to let kids go outside and play. I also love the opportunity to teach them the value of hard working and working together as a family to get the job done. I also cherish the ability to foster their love of agriculture and provide them with an understanding of where their food comes from. “

In addition to agriculture, J.R. and Lisa share a passion for travel. Lisa’s hobbies also include reading, exercising and gardening. She enjoys the fruits of her labor all year-long through canning and freezing. Today Lisa is sharing with us one of her new favorite recipes because it’s quick, easy, and healthy!

Team Latham

February 21, 2014

General, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Gail Castillo: Mama’s Special Chicken

Team Latham

February 7, 2013

General, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Keeping Christmas Meaningful on the Banks of Squaw Creek
Katie Olthoff

The Olthoff’s, from Stanhope, Iowa, are busy from sun-up to son-down. Caring for 60,000 turkeys and two little boys keep Bart and Katie busy.

The Olthoff’s have been raising turkeys for about 3½ years in their five new, tunnel ventilated turkey barns. Bart grew up on a turkey farm, so he jumped at the opportunity to build his own farm. He is able to raise 6 flocks of 20,000 birds annually, and has up to 3 flocks at a time.

Managing that much livestock is no easy task, but Bart has proven time and time again that he is up to the challenge. “Bart always puts the turkeys first, even if it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable for him,” says wife, Katie. “That might seem normal to those who grew up on a farm, but I’m new to the livestock world. I’m constantly amazed by his dedication to our birds.”

While Bart works hard with the turkeys, Katie spends most of her time with their two sons, Adam, 4½, and Isaac, who’s almost 2. Because Bart’s schedule can be pretty demanding and doesn’t include vacation time or holidays off, Katie has made a conscious effort to make the holidays less stressful for their family. Her holiday motto is, “Keep it Simple, Make it Meaningful.”

Katie has written the Squaw Creek Survival Guide for Christmas with Kids, and today she’s sharing a few of her favorite tips:
1. Bedtime books, the gift that keeps on giving. Instead of taking part in the popular “Elf on the Shelf” routine, Katie wraps 25 Christmas books. Every night, Adam opens one to read. Click here for a list of great books for farm kids or to teach kids about the farm.
2. Olthoff boys
  
  Pack the Protein. Katie has learned that family gatherings are more enjoyable for everyone if she brings foods that her kids are sure to like. “If all they eat is sugared treats, my kids will get crabby,” says Katie, who’s been known to serve up peanut butter sandwiches on a platter at family gatherings.
3. Keep the Yums Yums Simple. Although Katie has a wonderful recipe for roll out cookies with sour cream, she relies on Betty Crocker to simplify holiday baking with her boys. Click here for Katie’s beautifully photographed step-by-step process of baking with kids.
For more tips on Surviving Christmas with Kids. check out Katie’s blog at www.onthebanksofsquawcreek.com. You’ll also find more information about Squaw Creek Farms, including several recipes for turkey.

“Slow Cooker Turkey Breast” is just a sample of the quick, easy and delicious recipes featured on Katie’s site. Also be sure to check out Katie’s featured section, Ground Turkey Tuesday, for more delicious recipes.
Team Latham

December 14, 2012

General, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Make the Most of “Leftover” Turkey
On the day after Thanksgiving, the last thing on people’s minds is turkey. Ask your family what they want for supper and – if they’re anything like mine – they’ll tell you pizza. They might even say tacos, but they’re certainly not going to beg for another bite of turkey! Little do they know…

My personal belief is that no food should be wasted. I’m a freezer queen. Freezer-ready meals make mealtime quicker and easier. Browned beef, stored in freezer bags and stacked neatly in my freezer, cuts down prep time considerably. I’ve been known to put whole chickens in the crock pot just to have cooked chicken freezer-ready for casseroles.

So why not “bag some bird” this holiday? Simply cut up your leftover turkey; measure out 1½- to 2-cup servings; and freeze it for a while. Thanks to the folks at the National Turkey Federation, you’ll have plenty of ideas on how to use that turkey. Check out the NTF’s Top Ten Ways to Use Turkey Leftovers.

Before freezing all of your cooked turkey, you might want set aside just enough to make the dip or soup since they’re perfect “Game Day Foods.” Perhaps you’ll want to make ahead a casserole or let soup simmer in the crock pot while you hang Christmas decorations over the weekend. (That’s my plan, but the tough part is choosing which recipe to make!)

I’ve assembled my own Top 10 List, which includes many recipes we’ve featured on TheFieldPosition.com. In some cases, like “Buffalo Chicken Dip,” I’m suggesting you substitute chicken for turkey. In other cases, I’m linking to some of my favorite turkey recipes from TheFieldPosition. I hope these recipes will make you thankful for the extra turkey in your freezer during such a busy season!

TOP TURKEY RECIPES FROM THEFIELDPOSITION.COM
1. “Buffalo Chicken” Dip
2. Turkey Tortilla Hot Dish
3. Turkey Pot Pie
4. Easy Turkey Salad with a side of French Onion Soup
5. Turkey Reuben
6. Southwestern Turkey Soup
7. Garden “Turkey” Casserole
8. Wild Turkey Casserole (a.k.a. “Wild & Cheesy Chicken Casserole”)
9. White Turkey Chili
10. Fiesta Turkey Chowder
11. Turkey Mandarin Poppy Seed Salad
P.S. Say you’re “cooking once and eating twice.” Call them “do-overs.” Whatever you do, don’t call them leftovers! That’s like calling DDGs byproducts when everyone knows they’re coproducts, right? 😉
Team Latham

November 23, 2012

General, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Hagie Shares Likenesses with Latham: 65th Anniverary, Corn Hybrids & Favorite Recipe

Front Row (Left to Right): Christy Johnson-Lynch, ISU Head Volleyball Coach; Brandon Hagie and Kevin Jackson, ISU Head Wrestling Coach Second Row (Left to Right): Barb Hagie (Wife of John Hagie); Taylor Hagie; Alan Hagie and Lisa Hagie Third Row (Left to Right): Steve Dunker; Bill Fennelly, ISU Head Women’s Basketball Coach; Paul Rhoads, ISU Head Football Coach; Julie (Hagie) Dunker; John Hagie; Fred Hoiberg, ISU Head Men’s Basketball Coach; Jamie Pollard, ISU Director of Athletics; John Walters, Voice of the Cyclones and CY.

Guest Blog by Hagie family of Clarion

From one family-owned agribusiness to another, Hagie Manufacturing. congratulates Latham Seeds on 65 years of success! We look forward to celebrating with Latham supporters at the Country Fair and Fourth Annual Latham Freedom of Independence Ride, taking place in Alexander, Iowa, this Saturday, August 25!

Hagie Manufacturing. is both proud and humbled by the fact that today, we continue 65 years of innovation and service to the agriculture industry. As a family owned, rural Iowa agribusinesses, Hagie Mfg. has many likenesses with Latham Seeds. Perhaps one of the most interesting commonalities ties back to Hagie’s history in the seed business. Ray Hagie never intended to build the world’s first self-propelled sprayer, as his intentions were to grow hybrid seed corn.

The Hagie story began in 1933, when Ray Hagie graduated from Iowa State College and returned to his family farm, armed with a degree in animal husbandry and an entrepreneurial mindset. One of Ray’s first decisions on the farm post-college was to dedicate 1.5 acres of the farm to experiments with hybrid seed corn. Three years later, a drought hit. The hybrids withstood the challenge, and so did Ray, as the hybrid operation grew exponentially. In 1944, Hagie’s Hybrids opened a seed corn plant in Clarion, Iowa.

Ray was born an innovator, and his wheels continued to turn as his hybrid operation grew. His desire to further improve his own operation and that of his neighboring farmers resulted in a vision. In 1946, to help reduce the painstaking time associated with detasseling, Ray developed a self-propelled “personnel mover.” Ray’s innovation continued as the release of 2-4Dow, known today as 2-4D, hit the market and he saw an opportunity for producers to increase application efficiencies by spraying with a self-propelled chassis. In 1947, Ray invented the world’s first self-propelled sprayer. The originality and efficiency of the product created high demand, and in 1948, Hagie Manufacturing was born.

Three generations, millions of acres and over 65 years later, Hagie Mfg. provides the most innovative crop protection solutions in the industry and a superior customer experience, while building on the same family owned traditions and values. John Hagie, son of founder, Ray Hagie, served as the company President from 1981-2010. John’s committed to the growth of Hagie Mfg. has resulted in many innovations and successes. With great passion to grow the cattle side of the family farm operation, John’s dedication has resulted in Cyclone Trace today being a nationally recognized breeder of purebred Shorthorn cattle. In 2010, Alan Hagie, grandson of founder, Ray Hagie, took over as the third generation President of Hagie Mfg., who is honored to also raise corn and soybeans on the same land that his grandfather and father once managed – Hagie Farms. “We are able to understand our customers’ needs because we are in the same business,” according to Alan Hagie.

As a rural Iowa agribusiness, Ray grew Hagie Manufacturing around a core commitment to his community, his employees, and his industry. Today, Hagie Mfg. continues to have an incredible impact on our community, with over 350 Hagie employees, families, and vendors, along with thousands of community members and customers who rely on our continued support. We strive to be as innovative with our people as we are with our products by offering employees an invigorating environment that encourages innovation and instills a true sense of purpose. We are more than co-workers, we are family. Clarion, Iowa has been our home for over 65 years. We never lose sight of the fact that we are not members of a city, but of a community deserving dedicated resources, support and appreciation. According to Alan Hagie, “Solid, continuous growth is a non-negotiable aspect of our future so that we can continue to provide opportunities and support to our community.”

“It is a privilege leading a company that my grandfather envisioned 65 years ago. Those philosophies that were present at our founding are still present today – whether we’re celebrating our individual and team successes, or facing challenges, we practice humility, listen with respect, have the courage to admit we don’t know everything, and the knowledge that accepting such is the only way we will improve and grow. Our intent has never to be the biggest. It has always been to be the best. Each day represents just one of the many chapters in the Hagie Manufacturing story; with eager anticipation, we turn the page – and together – continue the story,” says Alan Hagie.

It is a privilege to work with Latham Seeds, as a family owned agribusiness that represents strong core values and is committed to sustaining and growing agricultural in rural Iowa. Congratulations to Latham Seeds for 65 stellar years in agriculture. Here’s to your next 65!

Team Latham

August 24, 2012

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

Join the National Celebration with Fried Chicken, Ice Cream and Kisses
July 6 just might be one of the most fun, non-holidays that Americans have to celebrate. Who knew? It’s not only National Fried Chicken Day and International Kissing Day, but it’s also National Ice Cream Month. And just when you didn’t think the day could get any better, you realize it’s Friday to boot!

With an intense heat wave hitting much of the Midwest for the second straight week, it makes me wonder how many Americans will actually fry chicken at home. I’m guessing more folks will opt for the KFC drive-thru. If your travels take you cross-country, Fox News has compiled a comprehensive guide to the best fried chicken in America.

As much as I love fried chicken, I’m not going to stand over the stove. I’d be more tempted to turn on the oven and bake Rice Crispy Chicken. It’s seriously finger-lickin’ good! Another chicken recipe that’s well suited for the season is this Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken, which was given to me several years ago when my aunt was visiting from Canada. I think it would be refreshing served with a side of Orange and Cashew Lettuce Salad.

The more I think about it, the more apt I am to serve Lemon Chicken for Sunday dinner and try to beat the heat today with ice cream instead! Links to ice cream recipes previously shared on TheFieldPosition follow:
- Ice Cream Sandwiches – a county fair ribbon-winning recipe
- Dairy Days of Summer – Oreo® and ice cream sandwich cake
- Buster Bar Dessert – my mom made it earlier this week for me, so all I have to do is get it from the freezer! It definitely one of my faves.
Stay cool! And feel free to share your best tips to “beat the heat.”
Team Latham

July 6, 2012

Desserts, General, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Fun & Games on Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 13, and treating mom to a special breakfast tops the list for how Americans will celebrate. Another all-time American favorite is hosting a tea party, and that’s exactly what my troop of 10, fourth grade Junior Girl Scouts did last Saturday.

Hosting our “Green Things” Tea Party for 40 special ladies was a great lesson in menu planning, meal preparation, table setting and floral decorating with a lot of giggles along the way. Each girl took a turn helping me mix up a simple chicken and rice casserole, so we’re sharing this recipe today on TheFieldPosition. (It’s seriously simple but totally delicious!) They also made their moms a corsage from yellow roses, Girl Scouts’ signature flower. (Thank, Mom, for leading this session!) They also learned how to fold paper napkins and how to properly set a table. (Thanks to Kaleah’s mom for leading this session!)

At the end of our meal, we sang songs and then played BINGO the traditional way. Given more time, I would have been all over Tea Party Bingo. You make your own cards, filling them in with tea-related phrases. You also use tea bag tags as the markers. Another game idea is Tea Text, where you set a timer for two minutes. Everyone writes down as many words as she can think of that begins with the letter T. Extra points are given to those who have all three letters of t-e-a like team and steak.

However you choose to honor your wife, mother and/or grandmother on Sunday, I hope you’ll enjoy a relaxing and fun day with your family. I’d also enjoy hearing from you. What are your favorite party and/or family games?

Team Latham

May 11, 2012

General, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Farming and 4-H are Plagge Family Traditions

Farming is a family tradition for John Plagge of Latimer, Iowa. This fourth-generation Franklin County farmer feels fortunate to live in his childhood home, just 2.5 miles down the road from where the land homesteaded by his great grandfather Fred Plagge.

It comes as no surprise to those who know him best that John would find his way home to rural Iowa and to farming. He was an active 4-H member from the time he was 9 years old and showed pigs at the county fair. His FFA supervised agricultural experience (SAE) while in high school involved helping his neighbor, who was a fellow pork producer and grain farmer.

After graduating from CAL (Coulter-Alexander-Latimer) Community in 1991, John earned a bachelor’s degree in Ag Business from Iowa State University. He then accepted a full-time position in retail sales with a co-op in Thornton before transferring to FC Co-op in Latimer. Meanwhile, his wife, Anne, managed the Charlie Brown Daycare while the couple and their children lived in Clear Lake.

In 2002, John and Anne moved their family to the home place near Latimer. John’s dad, Marvin Plagge, retired that year, providing John will an opportunity to farm full time. Anne had the opportunity to become director of the Hampton Christian Community Daycare, a position she held until four years ago when she started working in Mason City for a company that provides continuing education for childcare providers.

Today John raises corn, soybeans and a little alfalfa. “What I enjoy most about farming is seeing the fruits of your labor. So many people never get to see their work have a direct impact on a finished product,” says John. “It’s amazing to watch the creation of plants and animals. Being able to plant a seed, care for it, and harvest it is a wonderful accomplishment.” He also contract feeds pigs from 12 pounds to market weight. In addition, John raises a few head of cattle for his kids’ 4-H projects.

The Plagge’s oldest daughter, Brooklyn, has been a 4-H member for six years. She enjoyed showing miniature Southdown sheep for five years, but now that she’s a freshman, high school activities have preempted the show ring. This summer her schedule will be full playing in the Midwest Association Youth Basketball league, taking a missions trip with her church’s youth group, as well as completing 4-H projects. Brooklyn has been selected twice to present working demonstrations at the Iowa State Fair.

“4-H helps kids develop skills that they’ll use throughout their lives,” says John. “It’s a good experience for them to learn to talk one-on-one with judges, explaining how and why they made something. It’s also a good experience for them to learn how to present in front of group. Think of how many adults suffer from stage fright, but through 4-H, kids can learn to overcome their fears of public speaking.”

Erin, the Plagge’s 10-year-old daughter, is excited to be a first year member of the Marion Monarchs 4-H Club. She’s looking forward to showing a bucket calf at the 2012 Franklin County Fair.

The Plagge’s six-year-old son, Gage, is a Clover Kid. This 4-H program for kids in kindergarten through third grade allows them to attend summer programs and enter exhibits at the county fair. Gage loves building LEGO® sets, so that most likely will be his fair project. That is if he can come inside long enough to finish building. Right now he’s having run riding his little Polaris four-wheeler and taking adventures with his best friend, Buzz, the family’s year-old Black Lab.

“We like the freedom that comes with living in the country and raising our kids on our farm,” says John. “Our kids have lots of space to run and explore. They’ll play outside for hours with their pets. And they definitely use their imaginations. You never know where their imaginations will take them!”

Every day is an adventure when you’re raising three, very active children, who are involved in a host of extracurricular activities. That’s why the Plagge family enjoys quick and easy meals like the recipe they’re sharing today for Wanda Sandwiches.

Team Latham

March 9, 2012

Agriculture, Beef, General, Industry News, Pork, Poultry, Recipes