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Connell’s Corteva (Pioneer) Seed Plant celebrated 40 years in the community on Tuesday, August 5. As employees, their families, and members of the community gathered to celebrate, there was coffee and donuts to greet them before a walking tour of the site.
Following the tour, guests came together where employees were recognized, a video of operations was showcased, door prizes were given away, and lunch was enjoyed by all, over conversation, laughter and storytelling.
“The director came out and recognized this area as one of the best for corn around, and that’s where it all started,” Larry Eckman, first plant manager, recalled, “We relied on each other - had to.” Speaking of the advancements in operation Eckman added, “Amazing what our boys can do.”
Pioneer Seed was first featured in the Graphic in April 1985, with an article announcing the plant’s construction, as well as a couple of advertisements in the Graphic’s North Franklin Farmer Edition. The plant opened operation in 1985, in time for the harvest season. In 1989, the staff consisted of two area specialists, an administrator, a maintenance technician, a plant superintendent, a plant manager, and a temporary shop worker. Even in the humble beginnings, the main goal of the operation was research and development in collaboration with local growers.
Read full article on Franklin County Graphic >>
The Franklin County Graphic (FCG) is a locally owned and operated, weekly source of community news and information across Franklin County. The Franklin County Graphic is a Legal Newspaper (approved January 11, 1955).
