Smells Like a Memory

Passion for farming and rural life shines brightly through unique Iowa candles.

By Lauren Houska | Photos by Joseph L. Murphy

Nothing is quite as memorable as a scent. Some have the power to transport you to a cherished moment in time.

The savory aromas wafting from grandma’s kitchen. The comforting fragrance of grandpa’s aftershave. The first crisp inhale after a freshly fallen blanket of snow.

For Michelle Myers, happiness smells like her family’s century farm just south of Atlantic where she and her husband, Steve, grow soybeans, corn and alfalfa and raise cattle. The happiness they've found there translates into a love for the land.

“We take a lot of pride in being good stewards of the land,” Michelle says. “We do everything we can to leave it better for the next generation who will farm it.”

Michelle Myers pours candles at her home in southwest Iowa.

Both Michelle and her husband also have full-time jobs in the agricultural industry. Between farming and full-time employment, there’s not a lot of free time. But over the last three years, she has used any free moments to cultivate her handmade candle business, Dirt Road Candle Co.

Each hand-poured candle is formulated and designed by Michelle and features an ingredient made from a crop grown right on their farm – soybeans.

“It is so important to honor my roots and way of life by using a byproduct of the crop we raise on our farm,” she says. “Soy wax, which is made from soybean oil, performs better than other candle waxes, plus it’s clean burning and renewable.”

CREATING UNIQUE SCENTS

Choosing waxes, wicks and scents might seem simple to the untrained eye – or nose! But just like farming, there is a science to making quality candles. Wicks must be the right size and strength, and fragrances must be mixed with the right ratio of soy.

Through trial and error, Michelle says she has perfected most of the logistics of making candles.

Soy wax is poured by hand to make each candle.

“I also watched people who had brands or were creating things that I admired,” she says. “I wasn’t afraid to ask people for help or constructive criticism.”

To continue growing the business, she knew she needed to differentiate herself from other candlemakers. Drawing from her memories and passion for farming and rural life, Michelle creates scents that are distinctively Iowan.

Will’s Cabin: In remembrance of Michelle’s cousin, this scent is an embodiment of the woodsy haze of a bonfire reaching for the night sky.

Spritz Cookie Tradition: Inspired by her grandmother’s recipe, this fragrance blends the aromas of butter and sugar with a strong punch of almond.

Iowa Barn Door: This scent, modeled after musky wood combined with the smell of freshly cut hay, takes Michelle to her favorite place on their farm – the barn.

Iowa Nice: A delightful, earthy tone and woodsy base with a touch of sweetness to celebrate the people who are Iowa Nice!

“Rural Iowa will forever have my heart,” she says. “It’s where I go to fill my proverbial cup and find most of my creative ideas.”

Unique glassware and pottery bring Michelle Myers' candle visions to life. Photos courtesy of Dirt Road Candle Co.

Unique glassware and pottery bring Michelle Myers' candle visions to life. Photos courtesy of Dirt Road Candle Co.

HOW IS WAX MADE FROM SOYBEANS?

After harvest, soybeans are cleaned, cracked, de-hulled and rolled into flakes. The oil is extracted from the flakes and hydrogenated, a process that changes the melting point of the oil, allowing it to remain solid at room temperature.

CONNECTING FARM TO CANDLE

As the business caught on and her online audience grew, Michelle noticed customers had an interest in learning about her family’s farm. Alongside beautiful photos of the products, her audience now gets a behind-the-scenes look at life on the farm.

“When we were combining soybeans last fall, my 8-year-old niece, who lives in the city, asked me if these were the soybeans that end up in my candles,” Michelle explains. “I was so proud of her for understanding and connecting the dots. I hope that I’m helping my audience connect them, too.”

While it was intimidating to open their farm to the eyes of the public, Michelle says transparency and authenticity are a top priority and a key part of why Dirt Road Candle Co. has flourished.

“I’ve been so surprised that people who have never been exposed to farming before will reach out to me,” she shares. “They’ll tell me they showed a video of us feeding our cows or combining soybeans to their kids who love it or have questions.”

Michelle plans to continue to cultivate this online community and share her family’s farm story.

“People are truly interested in what we are doing and why we do it,” she says. “I absolutely love that.”

Michelle Myers on the road that inspired the name of her business, Dirt Road Candle Co.

USE SOY FOR THAT!

From small businesses like Dirt Road Candle Co. to large manufacturing companies, soy is found almost everywhere.

That’s because more industries are realizing how soy can improve products as an alternative for petrochemicals in products, such as adhesives, rubbers and plastics. It’s versatile, affordable and environmentally friendly. Visit SOYNEWUSES.ORG to learn more about soy in everyday products.

To view the full spread, view this magazine in your internet browser on your phone, tablet or desktop. This story is funded by the soybean checkoff.