At Peterson, everything we do starts with the farmer. Every decision we make comes back to a simple question: How can we help growers succeed on these acres, in this region, under these conditions?

That focus is why two of our strategic pillars – Lead with Agronomy and Products as Solutions – continue to guide how we invest in our people and our programs. Our recent expansion of both the agronomy and product teams reflects a clear commitment to delivering more local insight, stronger data and practical solutions that help protect yield and manage risk.

Leading with Agronomy

Agronomy is foundational at Peterson. Growers today face increasing complexity – from variable weather and emerging diseases to tighter margins that demand precision. Meeting those challenges requires agronomic support that is local, timely and rooted in real field experience.

By expanding our agronomy team, we’ve increased our ability to be present in fields across our footprint – scouting, diagnosing issues and delivering actionable recommendations when they matter most. Our agronomists live and work in the same soils and climates as the growers they serve, allowing them to translate agronomic knowledge into decisions that help maximize yield potential, acre by acre.

Products as Solutions

Seed is the most important decision a grower makes each season, and it must be treated as a local decision – not a one-size-fits-all input. Our product team is focused on selecting hybrids and varieties that are proven to perform here, based on replicated research and real-world performance in our region.

Expanding this team gives us greater capacity to test, evaluate and refine product placement. More data leads to better recommendations, and better recommendations give growers confidence that the seed they plant is matched to their fields and their challenges.

Agronomy and products don’t work in isolation. The real value comes from aligning the two – pairing local agronomic insight with products selected specifically for our environment.

Looking Ahead

This investment in people wasn’t about growth for growth’s sake. It was about strengthening our ability to deliver what growers expect from Peterson: local solutions, backed by data and supported by people who understand their operation.

Because success in the field doesn’t start with the seed bag. It starts with the right people, focused on helping farmers win on every acre.

MEET OUR EXPANDED AGRONOMY TEAM

Tracy Coombe – Agronomy Manager

With more than 13 years in the seed industry, Tracy has worn just about every agronomy hat there is. Now, she’s focused on giving growers more tools, more insights and more ways to turn research into results.

Chris Bryce – Regional Agronomist

SOUTHERN MN/EASTERN SD

Based in Glenwood, MN, Chris brings more than 20 years of agronomic experience to Peterson. He works with growers and dealers across southern Minnesota and eastern South Dakota, combining hands-on experience with a practical, problem-solving approach.

Ben Shepherd – Regional Agronomist

EASTERN ND/NORTHERN MN

A Devils Lake, ND, native, Ben brings more than a decade of agronomic experience to the Peterson team. Based in the Red River Valley, he works closely with dealers and growers across the region to provide local support and agronomic insight.

Chris Fedje – Regional Agronomist

CENTRAL ND

Based in Rugby, ND, Chris brings more than 12 years of agronomic and research experience to the Peterson team. He works closely with growers and dealers across central North Dakota, providing practical, data-driven support rooted in local conditions.

MEET OUR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TEAM

At Peterson, our Product Development team plays a critical role in fulfilling our promise of Products as Solutions. Their work ensures every hybrid and variety we offer is selected with a single focus: success in the Northern Plains.

This team evaluates thousands of data points – replicated trials, grower observation plots, soil type performance, IDC ratings, stress tolerance, tar spot reaction, standability and more – to help place the right seed on the right acre.

Here’s the team behind that effort:

Kendall Bonds – Director of Product

Oversees Peterson’s research, product management and agronomy teams and their delivery of data and products as solutions.

Kelsey Pellman – Soybean Product Manager

Focuses on product characterization and agronomic fit. Helps translate plot data into real-world placement guidance for dealers and growers.

Rick Swenson – Corn Product Manager

Oversees our testing pipeline and product advancement strategy. Works closely with breeders and suppliers to ensure new candidates fit regional needs and Peterson performance standards.

Alex Anderson – Research Manager

Supports research execution and data management across crops and all testing locations.