Legacy Agripartner’s CEO, Colin Steen, reflects on how changing a name can strengthen a company’s core values.
Seed World (SW): What’s your favorite TV show?
Colin Steen (CS): I will always be a huge Seinfeld fan, as I have seen every episode several times. But lately I have really enjoyed watching every minute of Ted Lasso; so many great coaching moments in that show. I have used the “be a goldfish” line several times with my kids’ sports teams that I coach.
SW: No. 1 sport to watch?
CS: I grew up in Saskatchewan, Canada, so I am legally bound to say hockey! There is nothing like going to a hockey game, whether it is at the youth level or the pros. It is fast, physical and a great team game.
SW: In your life, where have you lived?
CS: I grew up in an amazing small town; Weldon, Saskatchewan. After college I spent five years in Rosetown (where I met my wife Angie!), and then lived outside of Calgary for almost three years. In 2003 we moved to the U.S. and lived in Omaha, Neb., for three years, where we became Husker fans for life. We spent an awesome two and a half years in Boston, and have been in Maple Grove, Minn., since 2009. We love it here in Minnesota, and feels a lot like home (hockey, weather and Lutherans).
SW: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
CS: Other than a brief desire to be an astronaut, I knew I wanted to be involved in agriculture right from the start. I loved farming, raising cattle and everything about being involved with agriculture. It doesn’t matter whether I am in the middle of Wisconsin or Saskatchewan, people in the agriculture industry have been the most genuine people I have met.
SW: What’s one thing you learned in your first year as CEO of Legacy?
CS: Probably the biggest thing I have learned is CEO time management. Managing my time for the various aspects of the business ranging from order management systems to our strategy of focusing on food and feed. I am lucky to be surrounded by a tremendous team that allows me to focus on the bigger picture a little more often.
SW: You recently had a name change at Legacy! Why the switch to Legacy Agripartners?
CS: There were two primary reasons, both targeted at strengthening our identity. The name change signals the importance of partnerships with companies to focus on rural America. Secondly, we wanted to help reduce the confusion between the holding company (used to be called Legacy Seed Companies) and one of our brands Legacy Seeds.
SW: What’s your top priority for 2022?
CS: My top priority is to establish Legacy Agripartners as a long-term partner in the food and feed markets moving forward. We have a strong foundation to be proud of; including our alfalfa breeding program, non-GM food grade bean presence in Michigan, and our Ration Choice silage portfolio. Finding the acquisition opportunities and partnerships that will help us build on this foundation will be important for 2022.
