Among the rolling hills of eastern Nebraska, business is flourishing for Virgil and Irene Rasmussen. This enterprising couple has found a way to turn their passions into business. Virgil began farming in 1975 and also serves as a Latham® seed dealer. Plus, he sells customized toy tractors. Irene operates a custom embroidery business from the comfort of their two-story farmhouse where Irene’s grandparents made their home from 1912 to 1962.

The Rasmussens are situated in the heart of farm country with quick and easy access to large markets including Sioux City, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska. While many farmers associate the term “market” with their local grain elevator, “market” for the Rasmussens encompasses clothing retailers.

Irene’s embroidery business, Taylor-Made Clothing, began nearly 15 years ago on somewhat of a whim. She and Virgil were on their way to Nebraska Furniture Mart in Omaha when a sign for sewing machine, offering a year’s free interest, caught her eye.

“My goal was to make that sewing machine pay for itself within a year, but I paid for it within three months!” says Irene with a warm smile and a twinkle in her eye. “I started doing custom embroidery with that little machine and kept upgrading as my business grew. Today I operate two commercial embroidery machines.”

Here’s a sampling of the custom embroidered shirts and hand towels available from Taylor-Made Clothing. Call Irene today at (402) 698-2167 and place your order in time for Christmas!

Taylor-Made Clothing is a thriving, one-woman business. This time of year Irene enters her sewing room before 9 a.m. and often doesn’t leave it again until 7 p.m. on Monday through Thursday. Fridays are reserved for traveling and setting up at craft shows.

“We’ve made so many friends by going to the same shows year after year, and we’ve met so many interesting people from around the world,” says Irene. “A gentleman from Britain asked me to customize a shirt with a British tractor and then he ordered more shirts for his staff after he got back home. Men from Japan, Russia, South Africa and South America, who are visiting the Farm Progress Show, have purchased our shirts as gifts for their wives and children.”

Irene travels to farm shows and craft fairs nearly every weekend between July and December. Her handiwork also is offered through the Grow Nebraska website and in boutique stores including Unforgettable Nebraska in Omaha, the Great Platte Archway gift shop and the Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center (formerly the Crane Meadows Nature Center).

When he’s not farming with their son, Troy, or tending to the seed business, Virgil accompanies Irene on the farm show circuit. This time of year, however, he’s busy meeting with his customers and confirming their seed orders.

“I’m reiterating to my customers the importance of planting a diversified portfolio of seed products. I’m especially interested in new modes of action,” says Virgil, who believes diversity of tactics is key to fighting weed resistance. “We’re starting to see resistance to marestail and waterhemp. I don’t want to lose yield to weeds, so we’re interested in comparing the performance of Liberty products verses Roundup Ready.”

Improving product performance is another of Virgil’s passions. He’s excited about the new corn hybrid and soybean varieties that are a part of Latham’s 2012 lineup.

Gardening is another shared passion. Each summer the Rasmussens plant five large vegetable plots in which they raise tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. They also raise their own sweet corn and enjoy shopping at farmers’ markets.

This past summer Irene found a dressing recipe that they especially enjoyed using as a dip for fresh produce. She used this same recipe as a dressing for a vegetable salad served at her granddaughter’s high school graduation, and it was such a hit that she’s sharing the “secret” recipe with The Field Position today. Give it a try and let us know what you think!