Early Life and Education
Harry H. Stine was born in Adel, Iowa, in 1941/1942. His family had deep agricultural roots, with his great-grandparents establishing a farm in 1871. Stine graduated from Central Dallas High School and then McPherson College in Kansas with a degree in crop science.
Rise to Success
In 1964, Stine joined his father's soybean cleaning business, Stine Seed Farm. His interest in seed breeding was sparked by observing high-yielding soybean plants, leading him to start a soybean breeding program the same year. In the 1970s, he founded the first private soybean research and development company in the United States, Improved Variety Research (IVR). Stine launched retail soybean seed sales under his own label, Stine Soybean Seeds, in 1979. He made his fortune by licensing soybean and corn genetics to large multinational corporations like Syngenta and Monsanto.
Key Business Strategies
Stine Seed Company became the world's largest private seed company, with over 800 patents. Stine's company has operations in 14 different countries. Stine's strategy involved a focus on research, innovation in genetics, and licensing high-yield seed varieties, significantly impacting global agriculture and crop productivity. His company has developed high-density corn varieties and has the broadest lineups of Enlist E3 soybeans.
Philanthropy
Stine established the Stine Family Foundation, which supports charitable causes, including education, healthcare, and community development. He has donated to educational institutions and supports healthcare initiatives.