Planting Seasons 2015

As #OHPlant15 comes to an end, it's been a successful year so far at Lutmer Farms, LLC. The corn and soybeans are in the ground and wheat harvest is right around the corner. 

While in the field, Chris and Mike have been taking pictures and have been sharing them on the @LutmerFarms Instagram account. 

Chip stands on the back of the trailer.

Update from the Farm Dogs

Odie, Chip and Fritz have been loving life on the farm.

On May 5, 2015 we celebrated Chip's 1st Birthday! Happy Birthday Chiparoo! 

On May 9, 2015, we celebrated Fritz's 1st Birthday as well! Last weekend, Fritz thought he might want to try driving the skid steer around the farm. 

In June our resident grumpy old man, Odie, will turn 14. After being diagnosed with cancer last summer, Odie has defied all the odds and he's still going strong. We think it's because he's too ornery and is constantly annoyed by Chip and Fritz. ;)

Experience Young Ag Professional's Farm Tour Summer Reach Out

Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals program is hosting a Farm Tour Summer Reach Out on Saturday, June 27, 2015. 

This family event, open to all Farm Bureau members, starts at the Miami County Fairgrounds in Troy. Choose from one of four tours, which include lunch. We invite you to bring your family to enjoy a weekend away with other Farm Bureau members!

We are looking forward to attending the tour of Versailles Winery, Meadow View Growers and Buckeye Ag Testing, LLC. While the tour of Lake St. Mary's was intriguing, Mary Jo doesn't really travel well by boat. She prefers to stay on solid ground. 

New Calves

Over at John and Mary Lou Lutmer's farm the cows have been calving. This new born baby calf featured in the picture belongs to Grandma Minerva Schappacher. 

Before it goes in the oven.

Amazing Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

While going through some recipes on Pinterest. I found one that looked delicious and thought we would try it. Given our crazy busy schedules, for weeknight dinners I like to find things that are easy to put together. This recipe was that and more! 

I put our own twist on the recipe, to help simplify it, and the result was amazing. 

Ingredients:

6 ounces uncooked rotini pasta (half a box)
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1.5 cups onions, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 lbs ground beef
1 tsp salt
2 tbs ketchup
2 tbs Dijon mustard
.75 can of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
2 cups cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a casserole dish with cooking spray. (I used my Le Creuset casserole dish and it worked perfectly. 

2. Boil the pasta in a large pot according to the directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

3. In a large skillet, on medium - high heat, warm the oil. Add the onions and saute until onions are transparent. Add the garlic and stir for about half a minute. 

4. Stir in the ground beef and cook through until brown. (Our ground beef is pretty lean so we do not have to drain off excess fat. You may need to drain off fat at this step.)

5. Stir in the salt, ketchup, and mustard until well combined. Add the 3/4 can of Rotel tomatoes. Reduce heat and simmer for approximately 2 minutes or until the mixture is thickened. 

6. Add the cooked and drained noodles to the meat and stir well. Pour into the prepared casserole dish and evenly sprinkle the cheese across the top. Bake in the oven for approximately 15 minutes or until cheese has melted. Remove from the oven and slightly cool before serving.