History of Peterson Farms

History of Peterson Farms Seed

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About Peterson Farms Seed

Carl and Julie, 2009

Peterson Farms Seed was born as a result of a wheat disease infestation in the early 90’s. Vomitoxin, or wheat scab, was prevalent throughout the region’s crop. Elevators shut their doors until they could figure out how to proceed. After much research as to the probability of success, Peterson Farms invested in several pieces of cleaning equipment. We cleaned wheat, both ours and some neighbors, 24 hours a day throughout the winter, resulting in a product that was sold for a premium. Those pieces of equipment along with a semi truck scale, were the humble beginnings of Peterson Farms Seed.

In 1996, Peterson Farms Seed introduced its very first proprietary soybean variety. We gave it the catchy name of Ole and sold it to our friends and neighbors with the highly sophisticated marketing slogan, “We’ve grown this seed on our farm and we know that it will perform on yours.” We sent letters to potential customers asking for the chance to “earn your business.”

Peterson Farms Seed, 2007

Since then Peterson Farms Seed has grown to be the largest independent seed company in the region. We approach the seed business from a producer’s perspective, believing the grower is less interested in pedigrees and certifications than in innate quality and “is this the best choice for my soil.”

From the beginning, we’ve worked hard to maintain that “farmer” focus – even in the choice of our company name. Peterson Farms Seed was selected rather than Peterson Seed Farms as a subtle reminder to the customer and a strong reminder to ourselves that the focus of the business must be the grower – NOT the seedsman. For that reason, every piece of product literature includes the statement, “We will sell no seed that we wouldn’t be happy to plant on our own farm!”

The past decade and a half has been a blur of changes for growers as well as for Peterson Farms Seed. We’ve made major facility expansions. We’ve grown ten-times, from a staff of 4 to nearly 30. We’ve expanded from several research plots to one of the largest research efforts in the entire north central region. And we’ve moved from selling a few bags of Ole soybeans to our neighbors, to become one of the major suppliers of soybean and corn seed in this region. Back when we introduced Ole soybeans, we told folks, “We’ve grown this seed on our farm and we know that it will perform on yours.” And that’s what we’re still telling you today.

The Peterson Farms Seed Team

Brady Kellerman, 3-K Farms, Davenport, ND

"We chose Peterson Farms Seed not only for their great hybrid choices, but also for their dedication to helping producers succeed."
- Brady Kellerman, 3-K Farms, Davenport, ND

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