A Message from the Cornelius Family

For more than 90 years, Cornelius Seed has been built on one simple belief: helping farmers profit.

Today, we're proud to share an important milestone in our company's history.

Cornelius Seed has officially completed the transition of leadership from the fourth generation to the fifth.

After years of intentionally preparing the next generation, Chuck and Chris Cornelius have stepped back from executive leadership. Will Cornelius, James Cornelius, and Janie Cornelius will lead the company forward. This isn't the beginning of a transition, it's the successful completion of one.

Chuck and Chris will remain active in the business in part-time roles, continuing to provide guidance and support, in areas including product development, seed production planning, financial guidance, human resources, and administrative operations. We're grateful for their leadership, their vision, and the example they've set for all of us.

As Janie Cornelius explains, "This transition is about making sure the company our customers trust today is still here for the next generation of farm families."

Over the past several years, farmers have watched trusted regional and independent seed brands disappear or become part of larger organizations. Along the way, they've lost choice, local decision-makers, and trusted relationships. We believe independent companies still matter.

That's why this transition is about much more than new leadership. It's about ensuring Cornelius Seed remains a family-owned, independent company built to serve farmers for generations to come.

While leadership has changed, what’s important to us stays the same.

We'll continue treating people fairly. We'll continue seeking the best genetics, traits, and technologies for our customers. We'll continue investing in our people, supporting our seed representatives, and helping farmers maximize the potential and profitability of every acre.

For our family, this transition represents a promise, that the company's future will continue to be guided by the same principles that have defined Cornelius Seed since 1935: family ownership, independent thinking, and an unwavering commitment to the farmers and communities we serve.

To our customers, seed representatives, team members, suppliers, and friends—thank you for placing your trust in our family.

We're honored to carry the Cornelius name forward, and we're excited for what lies ahead.

At a time when many independent seed companies are becoming part of someone else's story, we're proud to be writing the next chapter of our own.