b'position of being the liaison between investors and theImportance of independent seed companiesCEO and operational leadership.The independent seed sector has a much higher Its a unique opportunity to work with the CEO andpercentage of non-GMO and organic offerings. Steen the investors to make sure the leadership understandssays hes seen slower-than-expected growth in non-what the investors are asking, he says. Im basicallyGMO and organic markets in the United States, with making sure nothing is lost in translation. But its alsofewer than 350,000 total acres of organic corn and similar to my other roles where I spend time listeningsoybeans.to the stakeholder or the farmer and learning whats"I thought that number would be closer to a million important to them and how we can earn more of theirby now, he says. It\'s an area still ripe for growth, but business and serve them better. the reality has been more modest than anticipated. TheIts about demand seems to be increasing, but that has not led to Smaller company, big vision an increase in planted acres yet. never losing Steen says his decision to move from a larger cor- As he prepares to take on the new role of president at poration to the independent side of the seed sectorthe Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA),sight of was driven by a desire for closer connections withSteens priorities are clear: maintain consistency, expandwho youre end-use customers and the appeal of managing amembership and enhance the competitiveness of inde-more compact team. He appreciates the nimble andpendent seed companies. He emphasizes the impor- serving. distinct niches these smaller companies occupy, allow- tance of independents in the agricultural landscape,When the ing them to compete effectively with major industrynoting their deep connection to local communities and players. the personalized solutions they offer to farmers. team sees its With Legacy Agripartners, corn and soybeans areI joined the (IPSA) board two years ago, Steen a big part of our business, well over half of our busi- recalls. I have witnessed fantastic work by my prede- vital for me, ness, Steen explains. The four majors have 80% ofcessors Chris Cornelius and Chris Latham. We need toit becomes the market share of those crops. We are also big intofocus on increasing our membership. There are wheat, smaller niche crops like triticale and alfalfa. They aresorghum, triticale, grass and cover crop seed compa- a priority for big enough crops that we can be successful and grownies out that we should be looking at to join us thatthem too. that part of the business without having to competereally fit the IPSA model. We havent been as focused against the majors. on them because weve concentrated more on corn, Colin SteenGoing from a company with more than 25,000soybeans and bigger crops. But these other crop seed employees to one of less than 100 was also appealingcompanies have the same challenges we have with to Steen.corn and soybeans with regards to employee retention I felt like this would be a great way for me to growand existing in a world of bigger competitors, global as a leader and face some of those challenges of beingcompetitors. a smaller business with fewer employees, he says.Steen said the independents should also work But there is also just tremendous potential for growthclosely with the big four. in alfalfa and triticale.We need them to understand the importance of Legacy Agripartners is a holding company thatthe independents to their business, he says. We are owns three independent seed entities: TriCal Superiora major part of Midwest U.S. agriculture and we have a Forage, DF Seeds, and Legacy Seeds. Each has itsreal role to play. We are the local, trusted voice to farm-own unique specialization but operates under theers. Most of the smaller company founders grew up in umbrella of Legacy Agripartners, which provides stra- these towns. Their logos are the ones that people have tegic and operational support while respecting theirseen in these small communities forever. We want to autonomy. continue to honor that brand equity that we have and "The aim is to foster growth while retaining theirthe knowledge we have of what farmers need and give independent identities," Steen says. them the best solutions we can.JANUARY 2024SEEDWORLD.COM /7'