The Farming Families of Lyon County-September 2019 by AGE Media and Promotion

of Lyon County SEPTEMBER 2019

Meet the

LEUTHOLD Family

Erica, Lucas, Chris, Doug, Char, Adam, Brent.

FAITH

FAMILY

FRIENDS

FARMING

Plant it. Raise it. Harvest it.

We can help you achieve it.

Many of us were raised on farms, too, so we understand the challenges you face every day. Since 1879, Iowa State Bank has been working hard to serve the Ag community of Northwest Iowa. Whether it’s helping to keep your business running smoothly, upgrading your equipment, expanding operations, or even lending a helping hand, we’re always ready for you!

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The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | September 2019

OUR PHILOSOPHY There was a farmer who grew excellent quality corn. Every year, he won the award for the best grown corn. One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew it. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors. “How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?” the reporter asked. “Why sir,” said the farmer, “Didn’t you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, crosspollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn.” So is with our lives... Those who want to live meaningfully and well must help enrich the lives of others, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others find happiness, for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all. ~ Author Unknown ~

Call it power of collectivity. Call it a principle of success. Call it a law of life. The fact is, none of us truly wins, until we all win!

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. ~ Proverbs 11:24-25 ~

September 2019 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

of Sioux County PUBLISHERS Garrett and Mindy Gross, AGE Media IOWA MANAGER Bob Fitch, AGE Media DIRECT ADVERTISING INQUIRIES, STORY SUBMISSIONS AND OTHER CORRESPONDENCE TO:

712-551-4123 bob@agemedia.pub © The Farming Families, Age Media & Promotion The Farming Families is distributed free exclusively to the farmers, ranchers and producers in rural Sioux and Lyon Counties. All rights reserved. Content in this magazine should not be copied in any way without the written permission of the publisher. The Farming Families assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Content in articles, editorial and advertisements are not necessarily endorsed by The Farming Families and Age Media & Promotion.

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FITCH FOR FARMING FAMILIES

TIPS FOR MORE BEARABLE MEETINGS I was having lunch with my wife at Central Café in Hawarden recently when I found myself overhearing snippets of a conversation at a neighboring table. I hope eavesdropping isn’t a sin because I was really enjoying the story. The gentleman at the table – let’s call him “Mr. Chairman” – was talking about how he had once been elected chairperson of a board during a meeting at which he was absent. After he was informed of the “honor” bestowed upon him, he took the reins of the board at the next meeting and laid down the law. To paraphrase Mr. Chairman, he told the board that if he was going to be in charge, they were going to have to accept his rules: The meetings were going to start on time every time, the meetings were going to stay focused on the agenda, and off-topic chit-chat was going to be shut down during the meeting. He was speaking my language. I worked in trade associations and other nonprofits for 25 years; I’ve served on three different church boards; and been to literally hundreds of committee meetings. On top of that, I’ve been providing training and planning services for nonprofit boards on-andoff for a number of years. The comments from Mr. Chairman were music to my ears – and he’s probably the hero a lot of you have been looking for. Most of the farmers and agribusiness people I’ve met since I started with The Farming Families are active as volunteer leaders – be it church boards, farm associations, co-op boards or the like. At one point or another, I’m sure you’ve endured a brutal meeting (or, worse yet, years of brutal meetings) that began late, ended late, and accomplished little to nothing. Take heart! There are cures for what ails your meetings. The first step is to admit your meetings are sick. If you have some sensitive board members who would take offense to this diagnosis, I’m glad to send you a copy of a worksheet entitled

“Evaluating Board Meetings” which each board member can fill out anonymously. Compile the results of the survey and that will help you zero in on your worst problems (as long as everyone is honest when they fill it out). If you’d like a copy of this form, email me at bob@agemedia.pub. Here are some effective practices for better meeting health: • Make sure everyone knows the deadline for getting an item on the agenda. • Send the agenda out 3-7 days in advance of the meeting. • Let someone know if you cannot attend or if you’re going to be late. In this age when 99 percent of the people have a cell phone, there’s no reason not to call or text. • Whenever possible, have supporting materials sent out in advance of the meeting. This is the responsibility of staff (if you have any) or the board chair or the person responsible for a particular agenda item. Set a precedent that these materials need to be read ahead of the meeting. For example, your chairperson could say: “I know everyone received the recommendations of the Education Committee last week from Jill, so I’m not going to have her re-read the recommendations. But if any you have questions about what she wrote, now is the time to ask those questions.” If your chair does this 3-4 meetings in a row, people will get the message that a little advance preparation is needed. • Likewise, if it’s feasible, call/text/email the key contact person to get answers to basic factual questions ahead of the meeting. If you have a question, probably someone else has the same question and you can save time and speed up your meetings if answers are unearthed ahead of time. • To reiterate the previous two points: Board meetings are for action! As often as possible, don’t use meetings to gather information. Instead, use meetings to ask questions, deliberate key points, and take action.

Bob Fitch, Area Manager, AGE Media

(712) 551-4123

bob@agemedia.pub

September 2019 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

FITCH FOR FARMING FAMILIES Cont. • Start the meetings on time as a sign of respect for those who make the effort to be there on time. Also, put the most important things at the beginning of the agenda. Do these two things 3-4 meetings in a row and people WILL start showing up on time – they won’t want to miss their chance to discuss and vote on the most important items! • Stick to the agenda. If you have a weak chairperson who doesn’t automatically redirect people who have wandered into the wilderness, it’s ok for you as a board member to say: “Mr. Chairman, I think we’ve gotten off topic. Can we get back to making a decision on number 5?” • Add your organization’s mission statement to the top or bottom of every agenda. If you’re spending loads of time on what seems like silly stuff, raise your hand, refer to the mission statement (why your organization exists) and politely inquire: “Madame Chair, point of order. I’m confused about why we’re spending so much time discussing the color of the banquet napkins. I’d suggest we let the banquet task force take care of those details so we can spend our time on finalizing next year’s budget.”

The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | September 2019

• Focus the discussion at your meeting by stressing purposes, timelines and accountability. • While it’s important to keep regular meetings on task, building camaraderie is also important. Have social time for board members planned before or after meetings, or plan a semi-annual fun get-together. Fixing brutal meetings can take time. You didn’t get into this mess all at once and it will take more than one meeting to fix it. Identify the worst problem your board meetings have and start working on that one first. Once it’s under control, start working on the next problem on the list. Oftentimes these problems are cyclical – so regularly evaluating your meetings to ensure you’re staying on track with shared expectations is important. Finally, my wife would probably point out that I was not as focused on her as I should have been over our lunch while I was eavesdropping on “Mr. Chairman’s” story. I’ll put my wife’s recommendation on my own long list of things I need to improve upon. She’d probably tell you that this too is a cyclical problem.

PRIDE OF THE COUNTY FAIR Enjoy the food, fun and fellowship; and kick the tires on some new equipment. But there’s no doubt that the pride of the fair is your kids, grandkids, or your neighbor’s kids. Their ingenuity and hard work over the past year is showcased in a multitude of 4H and FFA contests.

Of course, at the Lyon County Fair and the Sioux County Youth Fair, the livestock shows hold a special place in our hearts. Livestock is so central to many area farms and the regional economy – which makes it all the better to see the professionalism and pride our youth demonstrate in these friendly competitions.

September 2019 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

KEEPING LOCAL HISTORY ALIVE

FUN, FREEDOM, FARMING AND MORE REMEMBERED IN ROCK RAPIDS By Bob Fitch “If you don’t know history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree.” – Michael Crichton. American author, screenwriter, film director and producer

Visitors to Rock Rapids, as well as current and future generations of local citizens, are reminded of the community’s roots every day through a unique collection of public art. Thirty-six murals around this Lyon County city visually tell historic tales from pioneer days up through the devastating flood of 2014. “If somebody doesn’t tell these stories, history just tends to go away,” said Sandy Wynia, founder and volunteer president of the Rock Rapids Mural Society.

In 2002, Sandy and her husband, Curtis, were visiting family in the Yakima Valley of Washington State. There, in the town of Toppinish, they discovered dozens of murals depicting historical scenes of the region from 1840 to 1940. On the long drive home, Sandy began talking about the possibilities for such a display in Rock Rapids. Her husband dared her to lead the effort. She took the dare. The mural society started with about a dozen volunteers. A handful – Sandy Wynia, Norma

The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | September 2019

Jansma and Judy Gustafson – have continued as faithful leaders for 17 years. The newest board members are Kae Warren and Laura Schar. New volunteers are welcome to help keep the effort vibrant, Wynia said. The murals display much of the city’s pride in its history, she said. All of the artwork has been funded from private sources such as individuals, businesses and fundraisers. For many years, the mural society succeeded in adding 2-3 murals per year. The cost of a mural starts at about $400 for

a window-size work of art, but most are much larger and can cost as much as $20,000. New ones are getting harder to add as the society tries to preserve those already in existence. Restoration of one of the large murals may cost as much as $10,000. If an artist does everything according to specifications, a mural may last as long as 15 years. But some artists have failed to do that, plus murals which face south or west fade or flake more quickly because of the harsh sun. Complicating matters is that some of the original artists have died, one has gone blind, others have quit, and there is just generally a lack of muralists in the Midwest compared to the east or west coasts or the southern U.S. Raising money for preservation is much more of an uphill struggle than collecting donations for new artwork. Wynia said they are always on the lookout for grant opportunities and they welcome donations. The group will hold a fundraiser this fall called “Women Just Want to Have Fun.” Scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 6th from 1-4 p.m. at the Rock Rapids Gun Club, the event will feature vendors, games, wine tasting, learning how to plant and care for succulents, and lots of laughs. For more information on attending the fundraiser or to contribute to the Rock Rapids Mural Society, call Wynia at 712-261-1122. The collection of murals is set up to be a self-guided tour. Each mural has a small side plaque which September 2019 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

gives context for the artwork plus tells who the artist was and who funded it. A list of addresses for the murals is in the Rock Rapids Community Guide found in locations throughout town, plus a more extensive full-color guide is available to purchase at the Country Boutique Shop. The murals cover a wide range of Rock Rapids history including the fun of vintage soda fountains (#1) and a vintage popcorn wagon (#2) where popcorn and conversation went together on a pleasant summer evening.

More seriously, a flood devastated many businesses and homes in Rock Rapids in 2014 (#3). This artwork remembers how friends and neighbors pulled together and survived, and ultimately re-established businesses and rebuilt homes. Likewise, the mural on the south side of the VFW building (#4) reminds visitors freedom is anything but free. An essay on the

The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | September 2019

plaque there honors veterans who served and, in some cases, died in the struggle to protect that freedom. The unusual is also remembered. In the 1890s, a five-string banjo and a mandolin were manufactured in Rock Rapids by the Lion Banjo Manufacturing Co. (#5). The instruments were of such high quality they were on display at the World’s Fair in Chicago in 1893. (Samples of the actual instruments are also on display at the Lyon County Historical Museum). The area’s agricultural history and heritage is also prominently featured. A threshing scene (#6) commemorates farmers reaping the harvest of their labors. Most often threshing was a cooperative effort of the nearby farming families. Tony Jansma and the Jansma Cattle Co. (#7) are featured in perhaps the most prominent mural

for east-bound traffic through Rock Rapids. At age 16, Jansma started buying cattle, one small truckload at a time. By age 18, he graduated to a semi-truck load – always driving the truck himself. A cattle buyer for almost six decades, Jansma, who died in 2004, served the cattle industry in many ways including hosting the county 4-H club calf weigh-in for 20 years; serving as a judge for the National Auctioneer Championship Contests, and buying cattle for small and large feedlots, both locally and across the country. A farm scene from the early 1900s is remembered along with country vet Dr. Marion

L. McCormack (#8). After graduation from the Indiana Veterinary College, he and his wife Louise came to Rock Rapids in 1916. His attention to sanitation and cleanliness was unusual by early standards. These pages feature photos of less than a third of the murals on display in Rock RapThe Rock Rapids Mural Society Board of Directors includes Norma ids. Wynia encourJansma, Judy Gustafson, Sanda Wynia and Kae Warren. Not aged locals and pictured is Laura Schar. visitors to spend a day exploring Rock Rapids and orful local characters to stock learning more about the history car racing to the roller skating of northwest Iowa – from col- rink and much more.

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”

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SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

The Impact Construction crew: Tony Halbur, Josh Ymker, Eric Hoogendoorn, Marius Versteeg and Rick Kattenberg.

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QUALITY WORK BY A SEASONED CREW For nearly 20 years, Impact Construction LLC has aimed to provide its customers with quality workmanship, confidence, and peace of mind no matter the type, size or price of the project. Impact Construction offers quality design, planning, cement work, trim and contracting services for custom homes, remodels or agricultural buildings. The big reason the company can ensure quality workmanship is that owner Rick Kattenberg typically only runs one crew of five people – and he is one of those five. “Having just the one veteran crew allows me to be on each jobsite, helping to keep my eye on quality control.

Plus I still love to build versus sitting in the office.” Having a crew that has been together a long time also helps facilitates a smooth work flow. Impact Construction was started in Hull in 2000 by Rick and his brother, Josh Kattenberg. Josh switched careers, but Rick has continued to ser ve customers in northwestern Iowa. “I milked cows for a couple of years when I was 13 or 14, but I moved over to construction. My brother and I were homeschooled and started at 18 when we finished our studies. We sub-contracted for other contractors for a couple of years and then were able to get ourselves going on

The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | September 2019

our own.” Each year, Impact Construction typically builds about 2-4 custom homes and 6-8 shops on farm sites or for other clients; plus does a number of additional remodeling jobs. Kattenberg has enjoyed working with many types of farmers to create and build quality and efficient agricultural buildings designed for the specific needs of each producer. “When we work with farmers to build a new shop or storage building, we provide superior construction through our professional staff who use top-of-the-line materials.” He understands his customers are

making a big step in their life when they are building a shop, growth on the farm, or building a new home. “They are big financial steps and we feel privileged and grateful to be a part of those projects.” Impact Construction is well-known for its custom homes. “Building a new home is exciting and fun, but without the right knowledge and contractor it can be very stressful,” Kattenberg said. “From the beginning of our first meeting with the client to the move-in date, our knowledgeable crew helps homeowners make the right choices. Even if all you have is a thought or a little sketch on a napkin, we can take your dream home from the first stages of planning all the way to custom trim work and flooring.” Kattenberg said the best part of the job is customer contact. “We meet all sorts of interesting people. And it’s just fun to build something from the ground up. We are passionate about what we do – from the services we provide to the ongoing relationship after the move-in.” Products and customer needs are always evolving, so staying ahead and recognizing those needs and working through them are important. “There is always something to learn from the farmers and homeowners and I enjoy learning so I can provide the best service to our customers. Honesty and

Heather, Leah, Deb, Owen and Rick Kattenberg.

communication are important.” He said there are always going to be challenges and the possibility for errors, but overcoming them professionally are essential to the customer service provided by Impact Construction. Outside of work, Kattenberg enjoys spending his time with his wife, Deb, and children Heather, Leah and Owen. His hobbies include boating, ice fishing and snowboarding. Impact Construction is a member of the Hull Chamber of Commerce and Kattenberg is active on the local EMS department and fire department.

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September 2019 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

LYON COUNTY FEATURED FAMILY

MANAGE THE RISK AND KEEP AN OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK By Bob Fitch

Chris, Erica, Doug, Lucas, Char, Brent and Adam Leuthold.

In a year like 2019, you never quite know what’s going to happen next on the farm.

On pastureland bordering the Kanaranzi River, Lyon County farmers Doug and Char Leuthold faced flooding this spring along with a lot of other northwest Iowa farmers. “When the ice went out, it sheared off a lot of the posts we have next to the river,” Doug said. Son Brent said, “It’s pretty much been our summer this year, replacing fence.” Doug continued, “We replaced the posts and then, in June, we had a beaver come in and chew them off. So we replaced the posts again and – the craziest thing – he chewed them off a second time!”

The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | September 2019

Brent smiled and said, “Now there’s electricity going by the posts, so he can’t do it again.” You can choose to groan or find a way to laugh at the crazy curveballs farming throws at you in a year like this one. Doug, Char and their sons Chris, Adam and Brent choose to find the humor. Brent joked about the current uncertainty in the markets. “I started farming crops in 2014 – so I only know the bad times. Four dollar corn sounds pretty good to me.” Adam said, “I don’t think

anybody gets into farming because of its safe, un-volatile nature. There’s no such thing as 100 percent safety. You can always have bad things happen. You manage your risk as good as you can and try to keep a somewhat optimistic outlook.” Managing risk is a philosophy handed down from Doug’s father, Art Leuthold. “My dad’s opinion was ‘don’t think you have to start out big. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Start small and grow into it.’ I tell the boys to not get so far into debt that the banker can tell you what to do. Keep your debts down.” Art Leuthold moved from Illinois in 1949, purchasing the farm located north of Rock Rapids right on the border with Minnesota. Doug said, “Back then, you know, there were no chemicals. I remember Dad saying when he bought the farm, there was just one thistle patch – it covered the whole farm. To get them under control, he grew alfalfa for seed for a while. “There were five boys in the family and we all farmed,” Doug said. “Dad retired from farming when my youngest brother Ken graduated from high school. The five of us farmed together for a while. Slowly, as kids started coming into the operation, we split up.” Doug and Ken farm 1,000 acres of cropland together; and, along with their brother Carl, isowean to finish 7,200 pigs per year. Doug and Ken also co-own a 160-head Angus cow-calf herd which Chris, Adam and Brent bought into while they were still in junior and senior high. “Our goal is to hopefully buy out the cattle herd from Dad and his brother in the near future,”

Brent said. Doug said, “Checking cows at 2 a.m. doesn’t thrill me so much anymore. It’s one thing about having livestock – you get your exe rcise . I don’t know how much longer I want to load pigs, but it keeps me limber I guess,” Doug said. B re nt a n d Adam also co - own a 2,400-head finisher where they customfeed pigs. In addition, they rent about 640 acres of cropland with their older brother Chris who lives Three generations of Leutholds: Chris, Luke and Doug Leuthold. with his wife Erica and 18-month old son B oth Adam and B rent Lucas on an acreage about studied agriculture at Iowa four miles from the home Lakes Community College. place. Chris went to Minnesota They started farming after West Community College graduation, but also worked for two years, then worked elsewhere. Adam was a custom construction for roughly 10 applicator at the coop for six years – all while helping on the years. Brent worked for a local farm in his free time. Currently, farmer for 2 1/2 years before in addition to working on the returning to the farm full-time farm, Chris works full-time at when he and Adam put up the Luverne Building Center. their hog barn in 2016. Adam reached his goal of full-time Their sister Sara is a teacher farming in the last year. in Ellsworth, Minn. All four graduated from Central Lyon “Adam and I both agree that it’s High School. “Even I graduated good to work off-the-farm for from Central Lyon,” Doug said. a while to get some different “The difference is they learned ideas and perspectives,” Brent something.” said. “We’ve always had a love September 2019 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

for farming. Growing up, Dad pretty much let us choose when we wanted to help.” Doug said, “Farm kids, when they grow up, they either love it or they don’t. We used to put up small squares and the kids always helped with that. They enjoyed it. I don’t know why work was fun, but it was. Maybe it was because they didn’t have to do it.” Brent said he and his brothers are pretty confident about the future. “We don’t take risks we don’t feel we can handle. In a year like this one, it was going pretty bad in the spring. But in the end you know God’s going to provide,” Brent said. Doug agreed. “You learn a lot in these tough years. I certainly know what we receive comes from God. I don’t think because I’m a good farmer, I get a great crop. It has more to do with what I’m blessed with.” Adam and Brent Leuthold herd the cattle into the pasture.

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Chris, Brent and Adam Leuthold.

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Our publications are based on families and their stories. Our goal is to build community and connections within the Ag circles of Sioux and Lyon counties. If you have a fun story or would like to suggest a family to feature, reach out to us at Bob@agemedia.pub.

September 2019 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | September 2019

STORM FRONT PHOTO BY BRETT DAVELAAR BD PHOTOGRAPHY September 2019 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

SIOUX COUNTY FEATURED FAMILY

MAKING A LIVING – AND A LIFE by Bob Fitch

John Tiedeman is busy growing corn and soybeans, raising cattle, and customfeeding hogs. But he always strives to be careful to balance the demands of making a living and a making a life. His farm is located near Hull on Sioux County’s northern border. His great-great grandfather Berend Tiedemann bought the land from the railroad in 1886. “When you’re the fifth generation, you feel obligated to keep it going for the sixth generation,” John said. He and his wife Erica are raising the next generation to potentially operate the farm: Reagan (7), Calvin (5), Elias (3) and Aubrynn (1).

John and Erica Tiedeman farm north of Hull on Sioux County’s northern border.

The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | September 2019

“Stewardship has always been important to us, as it is with most farmers. It’s my personal belief that farmers are charged by God with stewardship over a small portion of his creation and that’s not to be taken too lightly,” John said. “Trying to find balance between maximizing production while responsibly tending to the land is a decision-making process most farmers deal with every growing season.” Some

his

stewardship

Calvin, Elias and Reagan enjoy swinging at the Tiedeman farm.

practices include variable rate applications of manure and commercial fertilizer and variable rate planting according to soil types and past performance of each area of the field. A rotation of no-till, minimum till, and conventional tillage is also part of the conservation/stewardship plan. “I feel that livestock manure is a phenomenal fertilizer, but needs to be applied in moderation. Our preferred method is to apply a low rate of manure to every acre and then supplement that with commercial fertilizer. We side dress most of our corn acres with liquid nitrogen before tassel using our Hagie and a Y-Drop system. We also use this to side dress for some neighbors and some customers of the Hull Coop.” John serves on the Hull Coop Board of Directors and also the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Feedlot Council. The Tiedeman farm was incorporated in 1976 under the name Ferdsons Family Farms. Ferd Tiedeman was John’s

Deanna Tiedeman with her granddaughter Aubrynn Tiedeman.

grandfather. “Ferd’s sons” were Dennis (John’s dad) and Warren and son-in-law Lyle Hollander. Dennis Tiedeman died from multiple myeloma in May 2008 at the age of 65. John said, “I was 27 years old. I had the good fortune of a strong ag economy at the time to help me through any mistakes, but Dad also involved me in decisions on the farm for several years prior to his death. I hadn’t considered how important that experience would be until it was pointed out to me by an equipment dealer in the area.” John’s mom Deanna said, “What John learned the most from his dad was his strong work ethic and his faith.” The Tiedemans have long been active members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in rural Hull. John has been on the council in the past and is currently on the church’s farm committee which manages and farms 40 acres which the church was gifted a number of years ago. Committee members take

turns getting the work done on the acres. His parents were part of an informal group from several rural Lutheran churches which helped to sponsor Laotian families who had come to the United States. Deanna said, ““We helped them get settled, get their kids into school and get jobs. When other work couldn’t be found, many of them worked on the farm for us, including walking beans.” While all the families have left the area now, Deanna said she considered the effort a success because all of them were able to secure good jobs and be successful here in the U.S. Since his father’s death, “One of the biggest changes probably has been getting out of farrowto-finish hog production and going to custom feeding. My dad always enjoyed farrowing but no one else was very fond of it. That’s probably a fairly common change across most farms in the area though. “We also ran a good sized stock cow herd when I was

September 2019 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

younger, but sold off most of the pasture. Now we just have a few stock cows that we own in partnership with a long-time employee, Derek Wellendorf,” he said. The feedlot side has somewhat expanded in recent years and been modernized with the addition of a slatted cattle barn. For the corn and soybean side of the farm, John shares equipment and labor in the spring and the fall with his dad’s cousin Roger Tiedeman and his son Rick. John’s sister Dawn and her husband Chris Coppinger live in Waukee, Iowa. They have four children ranging in age from 14 to 20. Getting together with them and other extended family for a week every summer at Cass Lake in Minnesota is an important Tiedeman family tradition started almost fifty years ago by his grandparents Ferd and Lorine Tiedeman. The group has grown and shrunk over the years, sometimes splitting weeks or being forced to a different resort. This summer, there were more than 30 family members at their favorite spot of Sah-Kah-Tay Beach Resort. Deanna said, “Even though we do pretty much the same thing every year, we always get so excited.” Typically, they fish, boat, ski, tube, and “take naps,” Erica said. John’s sister is 13 years older than him. “So I was FCSAMERICA .COM

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kind of an only child around here growing up. When I was younger and my dad farmed with his brother, I spent a lot of time with my cousins around the farm. As I got older and could drive the 4-wheeler, I spent a lot of time exploring the area and fishing in the creek close by, and could get to friends that were a few miles away without needing a ride from parents.” John was active in both 4-H and FFA and showed cattle and hogs at the Lyon County Fair. After graduating from Boyden-Hull High School, he went to Iowa Lakes Community College for a year and half. He welded feed trucks at Sudenga for the first couple of winters after college. But he never really considered doing anything other than farming. He and his wife Erica met at a Halloween Party at the Hull Golf Course. She grew up in Sioux Center and “was not a farm girl.” But, Deanna said, “She adapted wonderfully.” “I like living out here even though I don’t always enjoy the hours,” Erica said. She recently got a degree in medical coding from Northwest Iowa Community College. When three of their four children are in school, she hopes to get a position in that field. But currently, “I do all the running and help feed the crews in the spring and the fall.” And, of course, she stays busy with four children. John said he needs to work on figuring out some manual labor chores for Reagan and Calvin. “It’s harder to incorporate the kids into the chores today because so much involves automation and equipment. I do hope they appreciate the open space they have out here, but they’re getting to the age that they want to spend more time with friends.” Balancing the demands of farm work with attention to his wife and children reminds him of the saying “don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” He said, “It’s easy to stay busy with work, and hard to remember to spend time with family and friends. “Shortly after Reagan was born, I heard a sermon by Rev. Jon Hagee on Father’s Day where he said he had sat at the bedside of dying men for 40 years and the children always reminisce about the little things, not how hard Dad worked to buy them fancy things. I do try to remind myself of that whenever I get too busy for the kid’s activities.”

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September 2019 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

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September 2019 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

ZESTOS: FIRED-UP FAITH IN ACTION By Bob Fitch

Rod Hofmeyer grew up in “a good, solid household” on a farm near Alton. “In a place like Orange City and Alton, Iowa, you’ve got a pretty good chance to have a good upbringing. Rod and Jayne Hofmeyer, founders of Zestos.

“But when I was old enough to spread my wings, I pretty much did. I was a pretty wild kid. I ended up in Las Vegas, Nev. I did what a lot of people did when they are there – I gambled away my last dollars,” Rod said. “There I was with empty pockets when a woman walked up to me on the street and she said: ‘You know my Jesus.’ That took me aback because I had strayed from my upbringing. I said ‘well, I haven’t had much to do with him for a while.’ And she said ‘maybe it’s time you do.’”

The woman introduced him to Joe Prange who ran a ministry house called “God and Me Ministry” in North Las Vegas. “I instantly had a roof over my head. Joe was patient. He and I really reversed: At first I didn’t like the guy, but he ended up being one of my best friends in the world. He was in my corner and he believed in me and he encouraged me.” After six months, Rod left the ministry house and rented a mobile home. But he stayed involved in God and Me Ministry. “We did lots of food distri-

The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | September 2019

bution and we dealt with a lot of people in the ministry house. And it was the time in my life when I really had an awakening to something other than what I just felt like doing right now,” he said. Rod promised himself that some day he would pay forward the ministry he experienced in Las Vegas. Fast forward a number of years and Rod had an opportunity to purchase the acreage that had been part of the farm where he grew up. He and his wife Jayne moved from New Mexico to Alton. “In my mid-50s, I

had some heart trouble. And I got to thinking that if I’m ever going to come through on this idea to commit to ministry and doing something other than just having a life, maybe I’d better get around to it. “I was a frustrated elder at my church because I couldn’t seem to get people fired up to help our neighbors here. I convinced my wife that we should just take the bull by the horns and initiate an effort for caring for people.” While working at Advanced Brands, a food processor in Orange City, he was inspired to utilize overstocked or unsalable food products from there and redistribute them to families in need. “So we started distributing food to needy families, visiting with them and praying with them. That was a very meaningful startup,” he said.

Jayne said, “We’d take a bag of groceries to someone. They, in turn, would know someone else who needed help. So we’d visit them. And it just bloomed. “Frankly I tried not do it. It was hard to step out of my comfort zone. But it’s been rewarding,” Jayne said. Other people started to step up to help and whatever needs arose always seemed to be fulfilled. Rod said, “We had a tiger by the tail. Things just fell into place.” Their fledgling efforts were inspired by the Bible and Revelation 3:15-16 where the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Laodicea: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other. You say ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are

wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” In the commentary section on these passages in the Life Application Study Bible (NIV), it says: “Lukewarm water makes a disgusting drink. The church in Laodicea had become lukewarm and thus distasteful and repugnant. The believers didn’t take a stand for anything; indifference had led to idleness. By neglecting to do anything for Christ, the church had become hardened and self-satisfied, and it was destroying itself. There is nothing more disgusting than a half-hearted, in-nameonly Christian who is self-sufficient. Don’t settle for following God halfway. Let Christ fire up your faith and get you into the action.” The Hofmeyers and their collaborators were living out that

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September 2019 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

Left: Zestos is a partner supporting local churches in providing a free meal, fellowship, and food distribution each month in Meridan, Hawarden, Orange City and Sioux City.

fired-up faith. They took steps to form a nonprofit organization called “Zestos,” a word which comes from the Greek language and literally means “boiling hot,” and metaphorically means “of fervor of mind and zeal.” In addition to Rod and Jayne Hofmeyer, Zestos board members include Dan Bonnema, Tom Kiernan and Bev Rohrs.

Middle: Working in cooperation with Justice for All and the Boy Scouts and many more volunteers, Zestos last year helped to distribute more than 1,500 winter coats in Sioux City, Orange City, Le Mars and Hawarden.

Ten years into the effort, Zestos ministry has built a network of donors, supporters, volunteers, and churches who work together to help local families in need. “You get a lot of clout in obtaining resources when you work with this many churches and organizations. To me, unity is strength,” he said.

Five times each month, Zestos is a partner supporting local churches in providing a free meal, fellowship, and food distribution: • 1st Monday of the month: Rock Valley (the site rotates a m o n g Ro c k Va l l ey churches) • 1st Tuesday – Meridan Evangelical Free Church • 3rd Tuesday – Hawarden Community Meal at the Associated Church • 4th Thursday – Shepherd’s Table in Orange City (rotates among churches)

• 4th Saturday – Mayflower United Congregational Church in Sioux City. Zestos also provides some transitional housing in the upper level of the former Ok Café building in Alton. The main level includes space for workers from Hope Haven and volunteers to repackage foods. There is also a thrift shop on the main level. Zestos also operates a thrift store in Le Mars. The organization has an annual school supply distribution event in Orange City. In addition, working in cooperation with Justice for All and the Boy Scouts and many more volunteers, Zestos helped to distribute more than 1,500 winter coats last year in Sioux City, Orange City, Le Mars and Hawarden. Free furniture is also distributed. “Sometimes people get enough money together to rent their first apartment, but don’t have enough money for furniture. If we can give them a kitchen table and chairs or a bed, wow, are they grateful. “People say about Zestos, ‘oh they’re in a big giveaway business.’ And, you know what, we are. When a person or family is in crisis, all they can deal with

The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | September 2019

is the crisis. But if we can help people get out of crisis, then we share truth and courage and help re-direct. Let’s help them get things leveled off, get them food if they need it, and then we can talk about how to make their overall situation better. You’ve got to help them and respect them as part of God’s creation, just like you and me. All those seeds that we plant, they don’t come to fruition in our timing, but some of them do,” Rod said. Zestos believes an act of compassion with no strings attached can open doors and that simple things done by caring people do have eternal results. Organizational leaders hope to convince members of area churches to look at the lastSaturday-in-the-month event in Sioux City as a mini-mission trip. “There are so many needs here locally. People don’t have to go to another country. They can take a 45-minute drive south. Our neighbor is here,” he said. “I’m too old to try to change the world. But we have helped change the worlds of some individuals and families. That’s the best we can do.”

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September 2019 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

FOCUS ON FAITH

LIVE BY FAITH AND TRUST GOD WILL PROVIDE By Bob Fitch

German immigrants founded Hope Reformed Church in 1892 in a little country schoolhouse a half mile north of the current church home west of George in Lyon County. The parsonage was built in 1893 and the sanctuary rose in 1894 on land donated by the Kruse and Isebrand families – each gave three acres from their adjoining properties. Those generous hearts continue to beat in the members of this congregation today. Like many of his church members, Pastor Steve De Haan grew up on farm too (near Pella southeast of Des Moines). Even so, he is still “blown away by the amount of faith farmers and others in rural Iowa have. They can plant the seeds, they can raise the livestock; but they can’t force the crop to grow or force the livestock to live. They can’t control the prices. No other business has that much investment – hundreds of thousands of dollars into the ground – and, once it’s in the ground, you have limited control of what’s going to happen until harvest time.

Pastor Steve De Haan of Hope Reformed Church

“Consistently having to live by faith, trusting that God will provide them what they need … Yes, there are great advances in genetics and hybrids that can withstand the turmoil of the weather, but still technology can only go so far and the good Lord provides what we stand in need of.” He knows life and farming don’t always work out like a person wants it to. His own grandparents lost their farm when their river bottom land was washed out three years in a row. “I grew up knowing

The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | September 2019

people sometimes lose their way of life and that is hard. But people keep working hard and do what they can to trust the good Lord with the rest.” Trust in the Lord, hard work and a commitment to serving their church have been bedrock principles for members of Hope Reformed Church for 127 years, De Haan said. Curious about the early years of the church, one of Hope’s church elders was reading minutes of consistory leadership meetings from the late 1800s and early 1900s. He wondered why

there wasn’t a consistent time of the month for their meetings. Intuition and a check of old calendars revealed meetings were held on the night of full moons (or within a day or two of the full moon). Why? “When you have a late consistory night and you’re traveling by horse and buggy, it’s a lot easier to get home when you have a light. And that full moon is bright out here,” De Haan said. That level of commitment continues today and is matched by their generosity. “The first week we were here, one man gave us a bag of meat. He said ‘I don’t have much money, but I have slaughtered a cow,’ so he shared with us. This last year, farming has been a struggle, yet people have continued to be generous – not just with me but with people around them. There’s a generosity of caring for those who are in need. There’s never a shortage of people to help at the ATLAS food giveaway or for other service. Farming, you’re pinching pennies, but you still have a generous heart.” Hope Reformed Church is De Haan’s first call since graduating from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Mich. “Hope is a church that has historically called first-call pastors. Some experienced pastors may not want to be here, but I wanted to be in a small rural church. God has a lot of things to do here in small-town Iowa.” But it was a huge change for his wife, Sarah, who grew up in West Des Moines. “It’s a testament to the people here at this church and the people of George and how they’ve welcomed us and made Sarah feel like this is home.” They were surprised to find there weren’t more full-time stay-at-home moms, “but the wives have to work to support their husband’s farming habit.” Sarah has met other moms through MOPS (Mothers Of Pre-Schoolers) and other organizations. They have three children: Hannah (5), Isaiah (3), and Leah (6 months). Steve and Sarah met while they were students at Northwestern College in Orange City, but didn’t start dating until they were both in Des Moines. While the general pace of life in George is slower than Des Moines, he has noticed that parents are often exhausted because, in a small school district such as George-Little Rock, “you’re needed for everything in order to have a basketball program and a band and everything. The youth are extremely go-go-go. That’s very different than the larger school districts in Des Moines and in Pella where I grew up. How to minister to families that are just so busy has been interesting.” De Haan has been in the Iowa Army National Guard since 2001, first as a wheel mechanic repairing vehicles and more recently as a chaplain for the 334th BSB

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September 2019 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine

Members and youth from Hope Reformed George of George delivered holiday cheer to local nursing home residents by singing Christmas carols.

(Brigade Support Battalion). “Hope has been extremely gracious in working with me on being not only their pastor, but also in the Guard. It really helped that there are a lot of members here who have served in the military or have had family members who have served.”

The agricultural roots of George and the agricultural parables of Jesus are represented in this stained glass window.

Church steeple 32

Like most churches in rural Iowa, Hope Reformed Church finds itself in a changed paradigm from 40 or 50 years when there were more families with a larger number of children. “When they were interviewing me before the call, one of things they asked me is: How I could help them become disciples who make disciples? “I’m amazed at how many people in George who say ‘I used to know everybody here in town and now I didn’t even know half the people.’ That shouldn’t be something you’re discouraged by. You should view it as an opportunity. How did you know everybody before?” Because there are more people in George who come and go than in years past, De Haan said people need to build intentionality into their

The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | September 2019

interactions and conversations. “One of things that we’ve been looking at doing is … how do you reach out to your neighbor? How have you prayed for them? Have you invited them over to supper? Even if you’re in the country and your neighbor is miles away, how can you be someone who invites people into living life together? Hopefully, then, if Jesus is part of your life, your actions and words will speak to that since He is part of who you are. “If people feel they are welcome here, that they are loved here, that they encounter God here, they’ll drive 15 miles to come to a church in the country,” he said. Hope Reformed Church collaborates with it s neighboring churches in presenting several different programs. They join voices with Bethel Reformed Church to present Easter and Christmas cantatas. A monthly “summer night of music” is planned with Bethel Reformed and Salem Reformed. Vacation

Age Media Qtr Page Color 7-12-19.pdf 1 7/12/2019 11:22:43 AM

Bible School is rotated annually between Bethel, Zion Presbyterian and Hope. “We each have a small number of kids, but together we’ve got enough kids. Plus then you only have to host once every three years. Of course, when you do host it, it’s going to be big.” He likes the joint efforts. “Truth be told, it’s always good to see people from other churches. We shouldn’t be in silos. Instead, I like to think we’re trees that are connected through the roots versus silos that don’t have any interaction.” Hope draws from a broad geographic footprint: George, Little Rock, Edna, Rock Rapids, Boyden, and Matlock as well as Ellsworth, Minn. The church has an active worship life with Sunday morning services and Sunday school, Wednesday night catechism, the Christmas Cookie Walk, Sunday evening Bible studies, mission trips, and an annual soup and pie supper in January. For additional information about Hope Reformed Church, see www.hopereformedchurch.org or follow them on Facebook.

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