Peterson is one of the largest independent seed companies in the Upper Midwest, headquartered near Harwood, North Dakota, with deep roots in the Red River Valley. The company was founded in 1995 by Carl and Julie Peterson and has grown into a major regional provider of corn and soybean seed across North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota.
What makes Peterson Farms Seed stand out is its emphasis on being independent. Rather than being tied to a single genetics provider, the company works with multiple trait and genetics platforms, allowing it to select hybrids and varieties tailored specifically for Northern Plains conditions. Their motto has long centered around “seed designed for you.”
- They conduct extensive replicated plot testing across the Dakotas and Minnesota—reportedly more than 20,000 plots—to evaluate performance under Northern Plains growing conditions.
- They were early adopters of northern-adapted corn hybrids as corn acres expanded northward in the 2000s.
The company is also known for its grower-focused culture and agronomy support. Rather than just selling seed, they heavily market agronomic education and yield management programs like “Plus20,” aimed at helping growers increase productivity.
