Lamb Industry Brings Hawarden Native Back to Midwest:

Kelly Bultman makes sure his guests know that lamb isn't just an Easter or Christmas treat. The heart healthy, red meat is a good option any day of the week, according to this VP of Sales and Marketing at Iowa Lamb Processing in Hawarden, Iowa.

"It's it's own flavor and taste. It's an acquired taste. Domestic lamb is grain finished. It's very mild," Bultman explained. "It's a good experience when you're chewing it."

Growing up, Bultman worked with cattle, hogs and dairy farms.

"I grew up in the Hawarden area in a farming community. I worked for farmers," Bultman explained of his start in the livestock industry.

Eventually Bultman started working for Hawarden of Iowa Processing, a local beef plant. After ten years with the company, the business closed and he ventured out to Colorado where he worked in the meat packing industry and met his wife, Sherry.

In 2002, Kelly and Sherry relocated to the Midwest for Kelly's career with Iowa Lamb Processing, which he has worked for off and on for the past 10 years.

When the Bultman's moved from Colorado to South Dakota, the couple agreed the Wynstone community would be a happy compromise between the city life Sherry enjoyed, and the small town living Kelly has always known.

"We both kind of gave a little bit. We both just liked this area. It's kind of close to Sioux City, where it's a little bigger community, but then you're not boxed in and crowded like you are in the city. That's my biggest thing," Kelly explained.

Kelly and Sherry Bultman participate in an informal dinner club in the Wynstone community, where neighbors gather once a month, to share dinner, conversation and relax.

"Most of the time I do a lamb," Bultman explained.

But, when your guests have their hands in the local beef and pork industries, the conversation often leads to business. "We talk a little bit of shop when we get together. It's such a small world," Bultman commented.

The couple has also hosted a dinner for Siouxland Friends and Neighbors. With lamb on the grill and friends in the yard, Bultman treated his guests to a taste of the other red meat.

"There were so many people that came out and there said "I can't believe it's that easy,"" Bultman explained of the common misconception that preparing lamb is difficult, when it's actually similar to preparing beef.

Bultman's duties at the Hawarden plant range from take care of everything on the processing side to buying the carcasses and overseeing the production of case ready lamb products to go into the stores.

"My biggest thing is to do the juggling act with different sales people, and to try and stay in balance with your constant costs going up," Bultman explained.

A slow increase in lamb meat consumption is noticeable since it is available year-round at local grocery stores and is a good option for a healthy lifestyle.

But, the number of lamb being raised is decreasing, since lamb by-products are not in high demand.

"Numbers wise I think there's about 7 to 8 million lamb in the United States. Back in the 40's, there was probably 42-45 million," Bultman said. "Everything was made of wool. Now you don't see the wool blankets, the wool socks. That was all your Army issued stuff."

The Hawarden facility, which produces cuts of meat and pet treats from lamb, is a full service plant where production is "from gate to plate," according to Bultman.

And the family dog couldn't be happier.

"Sherry made that comment just last week. "When are you going to bring Buddy something?""

Since Sherry's two children and Kelly's three children are now grown and out of the house, the empty nesters now spoil the dog, Buddy, and their two cats.

When Kelly isn't working for Iowa Lamb Processing, and Sherry isn't working for Manpower in Sioux City, the two love to tour the local countryside.

"When the weather is nice, and everything is caught up, get on the motorcycle and go," Bultman explained of his love for his Harley Davidson.

Their rides have taken them to the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa, Awesome Biker Nights in Sioux City and along a few poker runs, just to name a few.

This summer the couple plans to venture even further. They will trailer the Harley to Boston with a group of friends and tour the Northwest over the Fourth Of July.

Kelly Bultman is the son of retired farmers, Don and Millie Bultman, of Hawarden.

***This article was originally published in the Hawarden Independant / Ireton Examiner by Sedgwick Publishing.***