This month we are pleased to feature Tara Ortman. Tara lives in Illinois and joined our contractor team in 2018. Tara has been involved in the ag industry all of her life, even tackling hay auctions on her own starting at the young age of 14! Tara owns her own cattle operation, is a country music die-hard and loves to snuggle with babies - both animal and human! Enjoy reading more about Tara in this month's Spotlight.
How did you get involved with DCI?
A friend told me about DCI and suggested that I may be interested, so I applied and was hired!
Tell us about your background:
I grew up in a small town in North Central Iowa, on a crop & livestock farm. Our farm is still in operation today and in 2014 was named an Iowa Century Farm. Growing up on a farm provided me many life tools that I still use today. By age 14 I was going to hay auctions on my own, buying and selling hay. My hay auction interactions gave me a good sense of how to talk to farmers and also how to interact and deal with them. Growing up, we had hogs & cattle on our operation as well. Farming and livestock have been a huge passion of mine since early on in life and still are to this day.
What is the best thing about being a DCI Contractor?
Being able to meet and interact with farmers and people in the farming community.
What would you like to share about your home and family life?
I live in Northwestern Illinois with my boyfriend Jason. Jason hauls feed for Ridge Crest Trucking. Recently, Jason and I started our own cattle company - JT Cattle Co. Together we have 5 children - Braden, 21 who is employed by the city of Bancroft, Iowa and getting married in September 2020; Kaitlin, 20 who lives in Fairmont, MN and works at Lakeside Living Assisted Living; Robert, 17 and a senior at North Union HS; Madalyn, 10 and in the 5th grade and Jackson, 8 and in 3rd grade.
When performing contractor work what are you driving?
2016 Honda CR-V
What was your first job?
My first job was baling hay.
What do you do during the first hour of the morning?
Go through emails, see what is new and plan my day.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I enjoy anything outdoor-related: hunting, fishing, working with cattle, going to sporting events for the kids, riding in the semi with Jason and going "junking" for farm-themed antiques for our home. Also watching Yellowstone!
What is your greatest achievement?
Being a mother.
What are you ordering for your favorite meal?
Steak, potatoes, and corn.
Who are your favorite music artists and sports team?
Favorite sports team: Chicago Cubs. Favorite music group: any country music.
What is the happiest memory of your life?
The birth of my children.
Tell us about your favorite pet.
My yellow lab puppy Waylon, he's 3 months old and he loves to ride all over with me.
What three people (living or not) would you invite to a dinner party?
My grandma who passed away in 2011, John Wayne and Lane Frost
What historical figure do you admire most?
Jesus
What was the first concert you attended?
Toby Keith
Do you have a guilty pleasure?
Baby anything - human or animal!
Tell us something about yourself that most people do not know:
I am adopted.
Where in the world are you dying to visit?
Australia
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Make it work.
