November 2020 | www.AgeMedia.pub
Faith / Family / Friends / Farming
Country Church Special Issue
HARVEST OF FAITH AND HOPE
Melbourne United Methodist Church in Plymouth County. The church was founded in 1860 in the town which served as the first county seat. Photo by Bob Fitch.
of Sioux County
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© The Farming Families, Age Media & Promotion The Farming Families is distributed free exclusively to the farmers, ranchers and producers in rural Sioux, Plymouth 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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HARVEST OF FAITH AND HOPE
GOOD FARMERS ARE ‘RIGHTLY INSTRUCTED’
By Pastor Mike Pitsenberger, Carmel Reformed Church
“For he is rightly instructed; his God teaches him” (Isa. 28:26) This verse speaks to us about farming. Every farmer knows what to do and what not to do in every season of the year because God teaches him. He knows what crops to plant and what equipment to use. He knows how to treat his fields and how to care for his animals. There is a time to plow, sow, and harvest the fields (Isa. 28:23-29). A farmer knows this. A farmer isn’t always plowing, he doesn’t always “open and harrow his ground” (v. 24). As the farmers of Old Testament Israel knew full well: “Dill is not threshed with a threshing sledge, nor is a cart wheel rolled over cumin, but dill is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod” (v. 27). God created agriculture, and we know that while “the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall not cease” (Gen. 8:22). Why does a farmer know instinctively what to do? This “comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom” (Isa. 28:29). In other words, God placed within the farmer’s mind the wisdom to read the seasons and to know the right ways to farm. Yes, the farmer learns from his or her parents, who learned it from their parents as well. The farmer may also go
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The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | November 2020
Pastor Mike Pitsenberger inside the sanctuary at Carmel Reformed Church.
When the current church building was dedicated in 2004, the congregation preserved the stained glass windows from the previous church Age Media Qtr Page Color 1-8-20.pdf 1 1/8/2020 11:21:34 AM by mounting them in the chapel. They are lit each night.
to school, read, and attend special meetings to learn more. But at the end of the day, God has placed within the farmer the knowledge needed to do his job. It’s ingrained. This is what God is saying in our verse: “For he (the farmer) is rightly instructed; his God teaches him (by instinct and instruction, by observation and science)” (Isa. 28:26).
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These are busy days for our farmers. We see and hear it all around our region. The farmers I know enjoy what they do, and couldn’t see themselves doing anything else. It’s in their blood. The land is their life and the creatures their responsibility. Look at their hands. Look at their weatherbeaten faces after years of hard work. It’s their calling. It’s why God put them on this earth. Many of them push themselves to the limit. So do their spouses. These are trying days for farmers as well. Prices aren’t in their favor, their numbers are dwindling, and the future is uncertain. Stress is high. Sometimes a farmer can be pretty lonely. But for the most part, they enjoy their God-given calling and do it as unto the Lord.1 They are good farmers, says our text, because they are “rightly instructed; his God teaches him.” It’s amazing to think, isn’t it, that our farmers (and all agricultural work and industry) are blessing tens of millions of human beings around the globe? I say “our” farmers because they are the bread and butter of any agricultural community.
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God is also saying in Isaiah 28:23-29 (take a few minutes to meditate on it) that farming is full of spiritual realities, such as: • The seasons remain constant, and God remains faithful; • Plowing takes hard work to uproot weeds and turn over dirt, and God plows our hearts to uproot our stubborn sin so we can turn over a new leaf; • The growing season reminds us that God is growing His people and His church; • The harvest season teaches us that God is producing fruit in our lives and one day the final harvest will arrive; •
And tough markets, equipment failure, too little or too much rain or sunshine, strong winds, hail, disease, along with world markets we can’t control, remind us that our spiritual lives will go through times of testing, suffering, and sorrow.
Isn’t it good to know that God is in control and faithful? But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:21-23). Please pray for the entire agricultural community during this season. Lots of labor for little return is not easy. I moved to Sioux Country for the first time in June of 1989 to pastor the First Reformed Church of Hospers. I soon met a Newkirk farm girl, and we married in September of 1990. Harvest time was in the air. We left the area in 1994, and returned to the western side of Sioux Country in June of 2015. My father-in-law was a terrific guy and good farmer. I learned quite a bit about farming from Rod Langstraat over the 30 years I knew him. Rod went home to be his Lord this past Christmas Eve.
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The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | November 2020
Rod grew up farming. He learned it from his dad and from the surrounding community. He lived through the 1980s farm crisis and a host of other farmer-related challenges throughout His life. Two things stick in my mind about his approach to farming. First, he worked hard, and did whatever he could do to care for his land, animals, and family. He knew that he couldn’t control the weather or the markets. Second, every time we visited Rod and Alma over the years, Rod would bow his head before the meal and thank the Lord for what they had. I think this is why he was such a patient man. He handled his part, and let God handle His. Now that I think about it, a third things comes to mind when I consider how a farmer might navigate the challenging times of our day. More than once I asked my father-in-law, “Are you heading to Hospers today?” He usually replied, “Yep, it’s time for some coffee with the guys.” I’d hop into the pickup truck with him, and we’d drive the 4¾ miles into town and shoot the breeze with local farmers, some still working and some retired. Upon returning to the farm, Rod went back to work. From our many trips to town over the years, I learned how important it is to establish a rhythm of work and friendship for our lives, like the seasons of the year. Life can get downright hard and lonely for any of us, but the routine of work and conversation with others can give us perspective and lift our spirits. I am praying for all our farmers during this very challenging time. I am praying for markets to open up and for prices to improve. But I’m also praying for all of us to find our strength, courage, and patience in the one who loves us and who will never leave or forsake us. 1“More than 97 percent of . . . Iowa farms are owned by families,” Iowa Agriculture, A History of Farming, Family and Food (Charleston: American Palate, 2020), 31.
ABOUT PASTOR MIKE PITSENBERGER AND CARMEL REFORMED CHURCH Pastor Mike Pitsenberger is a native of Apple Valley, Minn. This is his third go-around in Iowa: The first was as a hockey player for the Sioux City Musketeers right after high school; the second was when he was pastor of First Reformed Church in Hospers where he met his future wife, Gina Langstraat; and, after serving churches elsewhere in the country, he and Gina returned in
2015 when he became senior pastor at Carmel Reformed. They have four adult children – Janet, Troy, Ken and Logan – and one granddaughter, Ruby. Gina works at the public library in Sioux Center. Carmel Reformed Church was organized in 1895 by Dutch immigrants who had been attending First Reformed Church in Sioux Center. The first Carmel church building was erected in 1896. The charter members numbered 27 with 70 baptized members. The
name Carmel was suggested by Rev. Te Selle because the church is on a hill and reminds one of the victory of Elijah on Mt. Carmel (I Kings 18:20-42). Following a fire in 1916, a second building was constructed. While construction was going on, services were held in the church barn, using furniture that had been salvaged from the fire. The current building was dedicated in July 2004. Carmel Reformed Church draws members from several surrounding communities.
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HARVEST OF FAITH AND HOPE
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Ellendale is located west of Merrill on County Highway K22 on a high point among the farm fields.
YOU CAN’T DIG IN THE EARTH AND PLANT THINGS AND NOT HAVE FAITH IN GOD A firm faith and a belief in God is essential in the makeup of Iowa farmers, according to Father Bruce Lawler, the priest who oversees St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Ellendale, a country church west of Merrill in Plymouth County. Lawler is based at St. Joseph’s in Le Mars.
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“I grew up on a farm. My mother, a farm wife and a great gardener, said one time, ‘You can’t dig in the earth and plant things and not have faith in God.’ I’ve always thought that is true,” Lawler said. Religion and faith practice were normal parts of his family’s life, both church on Sunday and family prayer during the week. “Participation in parish life was just integral to being part of our family. “Farmers need that higher power and it sustains them. Taking the long view, farmers have good years and bad years, but they have to trust that they’ll persevere and God will get them through. There’s a natural tendency among farmers to be people of faith and to rely on God. I think that gets them through a lot of the difficulties,” he said. His family’s farm was at Clare, Iowa, in the Fort Dodge area. The farm included corn, soybean, hogs, cattle, chickens and, when he was little, oats and hay. “It was a great way to grow up. When I was a kid, I’m sure my dad felt the stress of the bad years, but he never let it show to us kids.”
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Lawler has served parishes in both small towns and larger cities in Iowa. Is there a difference in the faith experiences of farmers as opposed to city dwellers? “Dealing with nature, there’s a natural connection to God. Creation makes you think of the Creator. When you bring forth the fruit of the earth, there’s a natural tendency to be religious.” “Ellendale is a church that is selfreliant. They’ve always shared a pastor with someone else. The members have always had to take on a fair amount of responsibility. That’s given them a great sense of ownership in the parish and the willingness to work for it. It’s a pretty strong community and it’s a focal point for relationships in the community. Those factors go to a strong will to survive,” Lawler said. He praised the efforts at Ellendale to offer religious education for their young parishioners. The church at Ellendale traces its roots to the 1860s when early settlers in northwestern Iowa followed rivers and Indian trails to find new land and places to build homes. Pushing their way up the Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers, tributaries such as Perry Creek and Broken Kettle Creek caught their attention. In a world engulfed in prairie grass, these streams provided the vital resource of trees. The timber fueled fires and formed the framework of their homes and barns.
Father Bruce Lawler serves first communion at a service at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Ellendale.
The first two church buildings were destroyed by storms in the 1880s. The third church structure was built almost two miles south of the cemetery on land donated by the families of Patrick Gorman and James Gorman. Although sufficient funds had not been secured, lumber was hauled to the site and construction began, with the consensus that “God will provide.” Shortly thereafter, the parish acquired enough
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The families also found it to be a place to spiritually thrive. A local church was a place where connections to one another and their faith were united, strengthened, and ultimately passed on to the next generation. In that spirit, Perry Creek Catholic Church was formed in the 1860s. Portable Gas 4000 PSI with Honda Engine
The first pastor, Father Jeremiah Tracy, had a following of Irish Catholics from places such as Fort Dodge and Dubuque, and, in June of 1865, he brought them to western Iowa. They were among some of the first members of the parish. The first parish property was the congregation’s cemetery. The first to be buried there were a father and son, Patrick and Michael Jordan, who had been at the Big Sioux River collecting timber when a fierce blizzard caught them off guard. Tragically, they froze to death on January 27, 1872, a short distance from their home. In 1875, there were about 20 Catholic families in the area.
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money to complete the 50- by 32-foot structure in 1893. In 1894, the Perry Creek Catholic Church became known as Ellendale, the unincorporated town which had been named for James Gorman’s wife, Ellen, who ran a general store and post office. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at Ellendale has always been a mission parish, meaning a priest is sent from another church to provide spiritual guidance. Historically, priests from Sioux City, Le Mars, Hawarden or Merrill have served Ellendale.
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By the 1920s, the church had grown to include 75 families. A new 92- by 37-foot structure included a bell tower and was built of brick in order to withstand the winds. It was designed by noted architect and devout Catholic William Steele. The design of the church was meant to complement the prairie landscape with strong horizontal lines – accompanied by bands of horizontal windows, solid construction, disciplined use of ornament and a strong step away from the Victorian era of influence. Forty priests were in attendance at the building’s dedication in April 1926. Thousands of apple pies have been sold over the years at one of the fundraisers at St. Joseph’s Ellendale.
St. Joseph’s at Ellendale became known for its beautiful rural
setting and quickly became a busy community center, hosting fundraisers, plays, farm organization meetings, the roast beef dinner and Country Store, bingo, card games, Christmas breakfast, graduation parties, and bridal showers. In 1993, it was the first stop for the bicyclists taking part in RAGBRAI. Sales of the church’s famous homemade apple pies are its largest fundraiser. More than 27,000 apple pies have been sold since the fundraiser started in 1989. (For great recipes from St. Joseph’s Ellendale, you can purchase their cookbook by contacting alisellan@ gmail.com or 712-546-7190.) While neighboring rural Catholic churches (Our Lady of Assumption of Merrill, St. Joseph’s of Struble, and St. Joseph’s of Neptune) have been closed in recent years by the Dioceses of Sioux City, mass continues to be offered at St. Joseph’s of Ellendale on Sundays at 8:30 a.m. Services are often provided by a retired priest from Sioux City, Iowa. Volunteers ensure that other aspects of the church remain vibrant. Parishioners teach religious education classes each Sunday
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during the school year. Ellendale continues to regularly welcome new members and celebrate baptisms and weddings. The church is self-sustained, in that member-volunteers collectively take care of the building upkeep and maintenance, church and cemetery groundskeeping, diocesan reports and religious education classes. More than three-fourths of the parishioners volunteer in some capacity.
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A 1963 publication said: “This strictly rural community enjoys the faith that has been handed down to them through the hardships of their grandfathers and great grandfathers looks confidently to the future … The parish is very proud of its beautiful church and is determined to carry on the faith which is their heritage.” About 80 families are registered at St. Joseph’s with almost 30 percent of the parishioners under the age 30. Parishioners feel the size of the church is one of its biggest assets. The small size of the church allows parishioners to form close relationships with each other, which in turn has created a caring, faith-based church community for generations. The church history included in this story is adapted from a 2017 document written by Alise Allan, a member of St. Joseph’s of Ellendale.
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HARVEST OF FAITH AND HOPE ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN RURAL HULL. PHOTO BY BRETT DAVELAAR, BD PHOTOGRAPHY. November 2020 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine
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HARVEST OF FAITH AND HOPE
BE BOLD IN YOUR PRAYERS TO GOD by Bob Fitch
“The word of hope doesn’t change in good times or the bad times. If churches have something to contribute, it’s to remind people of faith that our hope is not in the amount of rainfall or the performance of crops,” said Dr. Mike Hagan, pastor at First Baptist Church north of George in rural Lyon County. For farmers who might be struggling with low prices and/ or reduced yields or other issues the past two years, Hagan said it’s important for them to turn to the Bible and to pray. “People want to turn to the Bible for help. It reminds us that we’re in this together.”
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Dr. Mike Hagan, pastor at First Baptist Church north of George in rural Lyon County.
If you’re fighting stress, anxiety or depression, Hagan suggested reading and praying through the book of Psalms because “the psalmists struggled as we do.”
and again. Psalm 30 says, “I will exalt you, O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. O Lord, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit.”
For example, Psalm 30 outlines a complete reversal of fortune – demonstrating how the Lord will stand with you and heal you and that the Lord will rescue you time
God recognizes life is full of struggles, Hagan said. “Psalm 3 is kind of a complaint Psalm. It actually opens the door to say ‘not everything is perfect in my life, and I
The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | November 2020
feel like you’re not paying attention to me, Lord.’ That sets up this cycle that keeps going through the Psalms.” Psalm 3 begins: “Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me.” Psalm 4 is prayer for the night, he said. It’s intended to restore you after a long day. Psalm 4 provides the example of reviewing your day, saying you’re sorry for the wrongs you’ve done, and, consequently, being able to rest in peace. Psalm 4,
in part, says: “Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer … Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord … In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Hagan said Psalm 5 is for the morning, a prayer asking for the Lord’s help in facing what is to transpire in the day ahead. It reads in part: “Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly … Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies – make your way straight before me … let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” “As a teacher, I would always take the Psalms and group them,” Hagan said. “It took me a long time to figure out, there’s a reason they’re not grouped in scripture. The different themes are scattered throughout. If you consistently pray through the Psalms, you’re going to find some days it’s not that helpful, but the next day may be like ‘Wow, this is exactly what I need.’ It’s an amazing gift to us. It isn’t all about praise, it isn’t all about complaint, it isn’t all about penitential forgiveness, or a celebration of creation – because life isn’t that way.” Besides the words of praise, lament, thanksgiving, encouragement and comfort, he said the book of Psalms also provides a lesson in how to pray to God. While fear and respect are appropriate when you’re in the presence of the creator of the universe, he makes the argument that the Psalms instruct us to be bold in our prayers to God. “Don’t pray in a milquetoast fashion. If you had an audience with
the greatest person in the world, you wouldn’t talk about the weather, would you?” Hagan said. Look at the bold language of commands or requests the Psalmists use in talking to God: Listen, hear, lead, give, make, remember, forgive, strengthen. In addition to the Psalms, other readings he recommended include Matthew 6; John 17; Philippians 4; 1 Corinthians 15; and 1 Thessalonians 4. One of Hagan’s own prayers is to again be able to fully meet the ministry needs of his church members. “Think about what’s happened for pastors this year with Covid-19. There was a time we weren’t having services; we can’t go to hospitals to pray with people who are ill or on their deathbed; we can’t go to nursing homes; we can’t go to assisted living facilities; and we couldn’t even go to homes for a time.” However, Hagan joked that one good thing came out of the pandemic once they resumed services: “Because congregants have needed to socially distance themselves in the sanctuary, members are spread out and sitting closer to the front of the church instead of everyone being bunched in the back.”
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About Dr. Mike Hagan and First Baptist Church Dr. Mike Hagan is a native of the west coast who was teaching in southern California and finishing his doctorate at UCLA almost 40 years ago when he was invited to become a professor at what was then known as North American Baptist Seminary in Sioux Falls. Now known as Sioux Falls Seminary, he was there for 31 years, the last 12 as president of the institution. More than two dozen different denominations are served by the seminary. He became pastor at First Baptist Church seven years ago. His wife, Barbara, retired about four years ago from her work in the patient appointment center at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls. They have four children who are all married. They also have nine grandchildren. First Baptist Church was founded by German immigrants in the early 1890s. The first business meeting of the group was in a schoolhouse two miles south of Little Rock in 1892. Baptisms were held in the Little Rock River. Services began in the church’s first building in 1894. All services were in German; a tradition that carried on until 1945 when the first Sunday of the month was held in English. Services in German were discontinued in 1953. A women's society was formed in 1895 and a youth program around 1903. The current church building was dedicated in 1969. Over the years, the church has also had strong ministries in music and missions.
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COMMUNITY OIL COMPANY / ROCK VALLEY, IA 712-476-2172 November 2020 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine
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KEEPING LOCAL HISTORY ALIVE
FREEDOM ROCKS HONOR VETERANS IN LYON, SIOUX AND PLYMOUTH COUNTIES A history of service and sacrifice is remembered across the state of Iowa through The Freedom Rock® Tour. Created by artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen, Freedom Rocks are designed to honor veterans and provide a unique piece of art to each of Iowa’s 99 counties. So far, 87 counties are included on the tour. All three counties in the Farming Families magazine coverage area have Freedom Rocks. The Lyon County Freedom Rock is located in Locker Park on the north side of George (198 East Dakota Ave.). One side features a nighttime scene circa World War I. There is a lone soldier waiting to board a train at the old George railroad depot. He represents Jack Sauter, a George native killed in The Great War. In the background are fireworks, which are important to the town of George. On the other side, Sorenson features all five military branches marching in a George 4th of July parade. The Sioux County Freedom Rock is located in Veterans Memorial Park in Hawarden (1301 Avenue E). There are three primary images on the rock. First is the American Legion seal. The American Legion is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization aimed at advocating patriotism across the U.S. through diverse programs and member benefits. The Legion played the lead role in the drafting and passage of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, 22
The Plymouth County Freedom Rock is located in Kingsley adjacent to the community center at 207 East 1st St.
The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | November 2020
One side of the Plymouth County Freedom Rock depicts military patches representing those serving with the National Guard Armory in Le Mars. The patches are Red Bull, Rainbow Division, 47th Viking, U.S. Army Vietnam, 5th Army, and Iowa National Guard.
The Sioux County Freedom Rock is located just north of the Veteran’s Memorial on Highway 12 in Hawarden.
commonly known as the "G.I. Bill." The second and largest image depicts U.S. troops making an amphibious landing. The third image is a haunting depiction of a prisoner of war along with a ribbon which includes the words “not forgotten.” The Plymouth County Freedom Rock is located in Kingsley adjacent to the community center (207 East 1st St). The east side of the rock features Private Isaac Gripp and Corporal Chad Groepper. They are representatives of all servicemen from Plymouth County who lost their lives in service to the country. Gripp was in the Civil War and Groepper served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. On the west side of the rock are army patches representing those serving with the National Guard Armory in Le Mars. The patches are Red Bull, Rainbow Division, 47th Viking, U.S. Army Vietnam, 5th Army, and Iowa National Guard. On the north side of the rock are Jim and Jack Nicholson who grew up “dirt poor” on a tenant farm near Struble, Iowa, yet both had 30-year military careers. Jim is a retired colonel and Jack a retired brigadier general. Jack was an airborne ranger combat infantryman and served overseas in Vietnam, Germany, Korea, Lebanon and Switzerland. He received a Silver Star for action in Vietnam. Jim was a paratrooper and Ranger-qualified army officer. He earned the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster for service in Vietnam. He retired from the military service and was the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2005-2007. General Jack Nicholson flew in to be the keynote speaker for the dedication of the Plymouth County Freedom Rock.
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On the north side of the Plymouth County Freedom Rock are Jim and Jack Nicholson who grew up near Struble. Both had long, distinguished careers in the U.S. Army.
The Freedom Rock in Kingsley pictures Private Isaac Gripp and Corporal Chad Groepper, representing all servicemen from Plymouth County who lost their lives in service to the country.
U.S. troops are pictured making an amphibious landing on one side of the Sioux County Freedom Rock.
The Sioux County Freedom Rock features the American Legion seal. The American Legion is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization.
The Freedom Rock in Hawarden depicts a prisoner of war along with a ribbon which includes the words “not forgotten.” 24
The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | November 2020
The Lyon County Freedom Rock is located in Locker Park on the north side of George at 198 East Dakota Ave.
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November 2020 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine
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The Lyon County Freedom Rock pictures a lone soldier waiting to board a train at the old George railroad depot. He represents Jack Sauter, a George native killed in The Great War.
All five military branches are painted marching in a George 4th of July parade.
An American bald eagle holds a ribbon which says “Lyon County thanks our veterans.�
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The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | November 2020
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November 2020 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine
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SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
LE MARS AGRI-CENTER PRIORITIZES THE NEEDS OF CUSTOMERS Le Mars Agri-Center features a full line of ag products including feed, seed, fertilizer and chemicals. The company was founded in 1998 through the merger of two previous companies. Le Mars Agri-Center has 10 full-time employees and several seasonal employees. General Manager Brian Harpenau emphasized their commitment to local farmers. “Our priority is always customer needs. Without our customers we have nothing which is why we always strive to provide the best service.” In addition to being president and general manager, Harpenau is also the grain manager. Bruce Schmidt is the agronomy manager. Agronomy services include fall fertilizer, soil sampling and testing of manure. Jay Schroeder is the contact for applicator sales. Harpenau said Le Mars Agri-Center offers an extensive line of products to serve local livestock producers. “We partner with numerous companies to offer you more options to push your herd to excellence. We carry a quality, year-round program of cattle mineral and protein. These match the stage of production and time of year, which is key to optimizing the performance and longevity of the herd. Whether your cattle need a boost, a feed fortifier to maintain health and increase performance, or any other needs, we've got you covered.” For feedlot cattle, Le Mars Agri-Center has a full line of medicated feeds and 10-gram oreo at competitive prices. Dust control services are also available. Applications of crude glycerin will lower dust levels plus improve visibility, air quality and safety conditions around farm homes. Le Mars Agri-Center carries a wide variety of products for lawn are needs. “All areas from your front lawn to your pastures can benefit as we provide a vast assortment of grasses. In addition, fertilizer, grub and pest control products can help to beautify and maintain your grasses,” Harpenau said. Fertilizer brands carried include Scott, Award and LaCrosse. Le Mars Agri-Center General Manager Brian Harpenau. 28
The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | November 2020
For more information, see www.lemarsagricenter.com or call 712-546-4127.
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November 2020 | www.agemedia.pub | The Farming Families Magazine
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FROM THE KITCHEN
HERB-ROASTED TURKEY INGREDIENTS: • 1 12- to 14-lb turkey, thawed • 4 small onions, quartered • 8 sprigs fresh sage • 2 tablespoons olive oil • Kosher salt • 2 large carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces • 2 stalks celery, cut into 2-inch pieces
FLUFFY APPLE-CHEDDAR BISCUITS
You can prepare the sweet potatoes (even arrange them in a casserole) and syrup up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate separately. Allow both to come to room temperature before baking. Top potatoes with hot syrup, and pop in the oven when the turkey comes out. Select sweet potatoes of the same size so they cook evenly.
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 fresh bay leaves
INGREDIENTS:
• 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth, if needed
• 4 pounds sweet potatoes
• Fresh herbs and clementines, for serving
DIRECTIONS: 1. Heat oven to 375°F. Working on baking sheet, remove giblets and neck of turkey from cavities. Reserve neck and discard giblets. Using paper towels, pat turkey dry. Stuff half of onions and 6 sprigs sage into main cavity 2. Tie legs together with kitchen twine. Tuck wing tips underneath body. Rub turkey with oil and season with 1 teaspoon salt. 3. Place turkey neck, carrots, celery, bay leaves and remaining onions and sage in large roasting pan. Place roasting rack in pan and put turkey on top. 4. Roast turkey until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 165°F, 2 1⁄ 2 to 3 hours. (Cover bird loosely with foil if it browns too quickly and add broth to pan if vegetables begin to scorch.) 5. Carefully tilt turkey to empty juices from cavity into pan. Transfer turkey to carving board. Cover loosely with foil and let rest for at least 25 minutes. Reserve pan and its contents for gravy. Carve turkey and garnish as desired. www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a46605/ golden-herb-roasted-turkey-recipe
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MAPLE-CRANBERRY SWEET POTATOES
• salt • 1 cup pure maple syrup • 1 1/2 cups cranberries • 3 tablespoons butter (no substitutions)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour • 3 tablespoons sugar • 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 3/4 cup peeled, finely chopped Granny Smith apple • 3/4 cup shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese • 10 tablespoons butter, frozen and coarsely grated • 2 green onions, thinly sliced • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper • 3/4 cup whole milk • 1 large egg, beaten
DIRECTIONS: 1. In covered 6-quart saucepot, heat whole sweet potatoes with 1 teaspoon salt and enough water to cover to boiling on high. Reduce heat to low; simmer, covered, about 30 minutes or just until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain. Set aside until cool enough to handle. 2. Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat maple syrup to boiling on high. Reduce heat to medium, and boil gently 10 to 15 minutes or until reduced to 1/2 cup. Stir in cranberries, butter, and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cook just until cranberries pop, about 5 minutes longer. 3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut cooled sweet potatoes crosswise into 1-inch-thick slices and arrange in shallow 3-quart ceramic or glass baking dish, overlapping slices if necessary. 4. Spoon maple-cranberry syrup evenly over potatoes. Bake, uncovered, 20 minutes or until hot. www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a8094/ maple-cranberry-sweet-potatoes-recipes
The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | November 2020
DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line large cookie sheet with parchment paper. 2. In large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in apple, Cheddar, butter, green onions, and black pepper. Make well in center of mixture. Add milk and egg; slowly stir together until combined but still shaggy. 3. Transfer dough to lightly floured surface; gently knead until dough just comes together. Gently pat into 1"-thick square. With floured chef’s knife, cut dough into 16 squares. Arrange on prepared sheet, spacing 1" apart. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until bottoms are deep golden brown. Serve warm. Biscuits can be baked, cooled completely and stored in airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days. Just before serving, reheat in 425 degrees F oven 8 minutes or until hot. www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a41104/ fluffy-apple-cheddar-biscuits-recipe
HERBED MASHED POTATOES
PUMPKIN SLAB PIE INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
• 1 pie crust
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
• 2 cans pure pumpkin (15 oz. each)
2. Place 1 rectangle pie crust on lightly floured work surface. Lightly flour dough and roll into 12 x 10-inch rectangle, flouring and scraping as needed to prevent sticking.
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated
3. Gently wrap dough around rolling pin and transfer to half of 15½ x 10½-inch rimmed baking sheet, placing 10-inch side of dough along longest side of pan and allowing dough to hang over 3 sides.
• 1 1/4 cup heavy cream
4. Roll remaining piece of dough; place on other half of baking sheet, overlapping slightly with first piece. Press seam together to seal.
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 1/4 cup whole milk
• 6 black peppercorns
• 4 large eggs
5. Trim any excess dough, leaving 1/2-inch overhang if possible. Crimp and press edges of crust to create even rim, using any trimmed dough to seal cracks or gaps.
• Freshly grated nutmeg, for serving
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
INGREDIENTS: • 4 pounds golden potatoes (about 8), peeled and quartered • Kosher salt • 2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter • 8 sprigs thyme • 2 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley
DIRECTIONS: 1. Place potatoes in large pot, add enough cold water to cover, and bring to a boil. Add 2 teaspoons salt, reduce heat, and simmer until just tender, 15 to 18 minutes. Drain potatoes and return to pot. 2. Meanwhile, place cream, butter, thyme, parsley, bay leaf, and peppercorns in small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes, then remove from heat.
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice • 1 teaspoon salt • Whipped cream, for serving (optional) www.goodhousekeeping.com/ food-recipes/dessert/a41084/ pumpkin-slab-pie-recipe
6. Cover with large sheet parchment paper and pie weights or dried beans. Bake 14 minutes. 7. Remove paper and weights. Bake another 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden. 8. Meanwhile, in 4-quart saucepan, cook pumpkin and ginger on medium-high 10 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. 9. In medium bowl, whisk cream, milk, eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until smooth. Add pumpkin mixture, whisking again until smooth. 10. Pour mixture into pre-baked pie crust. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until set. 11. Cool completely before cutting into 12 to 16 pieces. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.
3. Strain cream mixture into pot with potatoes. Add 3/4 teaspoon salt and mash to desired consistency. Sprinkle with nutmeg before serving if desired. www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/ a14963/garlicky-herb-mashed-potatoes-recipeghk0313
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The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | November 2020