For more than two decades, Shannon Latham has helped guide the marketing vision of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds. Now she is bringing that same passion for agriculture, communication and leadership to her new role as Executive Director of the Iowa FFA Foundation. For her, the move feels like a natural extension of the work she has always loved.
“It has been quite a journey,” Shannon said during a recent episode of Beyond the Bushel. “When I look back at the pictures from when John and I started Latham Hi-Tech Hybrids back 2004, you can tell it’s been a year or two. We look a little different than we do now.”
Her path began at Iowa State University, where she and John were both majoring in agriculture. After college, she worked in public relations and marketing before returning to Iowa to join the Agribusiness Association of Iowa. That role sparked something important.
“That really planted that seed for me to be in public service,” she said. “I always knew that I want to be a state representative if I could.”
Her early career also shaped her leadership philosophy. She recalled advice from her first boss: “People support what they help create.” That lesson stayed with her as she grew into leadership roles.
When John started the corn company in 2004, Shannon stepped naturally into marketing.
“ Maybe it was God’s plan,” she said. “John had that background in sales. I had that background in marketing, communications and writing. Chris had the finance background, so it just all came together.”
Over the years, she found joy in leading the team.
“I absolutely love leading the marketing team here,” she said. “Nothing can replace hard work. Nothing replaces relationships.”
Leaving the family business was not a decision she made lightly. But FFA and 4-H shaped her life from a young age, and she felt called to give back.
“At this point in my life, I’m looking for an opportunity to give back,” she said. “I feel so blessed that I also get an opportunity to give back to the Iowa FFA organization.”
Her time at the FFA Enrichment Center has brought a renewed sense of excitement.
“It has been so fun working for the foundation since September of 2025, and it’s like homecoming every week,” she said. “There’s always people every week at the enrichment center popping into my office to say hi.”
She also sees clear parallels between her work at Latham Seeds and her new role.
“In the nonprofit world, we are working really hard to convince people why they should part with their hard-earned money,” she said. “Your brand needs to be distinct. It needs to be relevant. It needs to be consistent.”
Her focus now is helping prepare Iowa’s youth for the future.
“We are really preparing the workforce,” she said. “Regardless of what they go into, they are going to be prepared because of their workforce development and their premier leadership skills that they develop in the FFA.”
To hear more of Shannon’s insights and stories from her career path, listen to the full Beyond the Bushel episode.
Pork Roast with Raspberry Sauce
Equipment
- 1 Slow cooker
Ingredients
- 3 pound boneless pork roast
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sage
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 12 ounces frozen unsweetened raspberries (thawed)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoons butter
Instructions
Directions for Pork Roast:
- Grease a six-quart crockpot with cooking spray.
- Place roast in crockpot; pat top and sides of roast with salt, sage and pepper.
- Pour about 1 cup of water or chicken broth around the bottom of the roast.
- Cook on LOW for 9 hours or until the roast pulls apart easily with a fork.
- Set raspberries in the refrigerator to thaw.
Directions for Raspberry Sauce:
- In a large saucepan, combine: sugar, cornstarch, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Stir in the vinegar, reserved raspberry juice, and raspberries.
- Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
- Remove from heat; add lemon juice and butter.
- Stir until butter is melted.
