In the last week, two U.S. based independent seed companies lost their founders.
Cornelius Seed
In 1956, Wanda Lea Cornelius was co-owner of both Cornelius Seed Corn Co. and Cornelius Land and Cattle farming operation. She and Jerry lived on the Cornelius Family Heritage Farm. She was inducted as a Master Farm Homemaker in 1982 and was a past president. She was a 25 year 4-H leader and inductee of the Iowa 4H Hall of Fame as well as a “mom” to many detasselers.
Those left to carry on her legacy are her children, Nancy Johnson of Springbrook, Iowa, Julie Jachobi of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Chuck Cornelius of Bellevue, Iowa.
Ohlde Seed
In 1947, Raymond Ohlde grew his first certified seed crop and founded Ohlde Seed Farms. His eldest son Rodney joined the business and in 1972 his youngest Ron joined. From there the business flourished. In 1979, they acquired soybean genetics from the Farm Bureau, in 1981 they developed private labelled soybeans and in 1984 corn, grain soybean and forage were made private label.
Whether breaking ground on a new seed cleaning facility in 2010, breaking ground five years later on a bulk treating facility, or launching a canola program in 2017, Ohlde Seed never sat idle and always moved in the direction their customers and the industry desired.
Raymond Ohlde is survived by his children Sandra Wallace of Rogers, Ark., Rodney Ohlde of Linn, Kansas, Ronald Ohlde of Palmer, Kan., and Sonya Hiltgen of Palmer, Kan.
