Harry Stine

Overview

Harry Stine is an American billionaire businessman and the founder and owner of Stine Seed Company, the largest independent seed company in the United States. Raised on a family farm in Adel, Iowa, he graduated from McPherson College in Kansas and joined his father's soybean cleaning business in 1964. His interest in seed breeding began when he discovered unusual soybean plants in the company's fields, leading him to establish Improved Variety Research (IVR) in 1970, the first private soybean research and development company in the U.S. IVR dissolved in 1973, and Stine and plant breeder Bill Eby formed Midwest Oilseeds, which became a leading soybean genetics licensing company. In the early 1980s, they founded Eden Enterprises to focus on corn breeding and genetics. In 1979, Stine began selling soybean seed under his own label, Stine Soybean Seeds, and expanded to corn and soft red winter wheat in 1992. Stine Seed Company now operates on nearly 15,000 acres in Iowa and has over 900 patents, specializing in soybean and corn genetics. The company has developed high-density corn varieties, achieving average yields of up to 300 bushels per acre. Stine's licensing deals with companies like Monsanto and Syngenta have been highly lucrative. He is a member of the American Society of Agronomy and the American Seed Trade Association and serves on the board of directors of the Trees Forever Foundation. He has been recognized with awards such as Iowa's Outstanding Young Farmer in 1973 and Agrimarketer of the Year in 1989. In 2014, Forbes estimated his net worth at nearly $3 billion, and in 2025, it was estimated at $9.9 billion. In addition to his seed company, Stine has made significant investments in agricultural technology. In 2014, he invested $5 million in Smart Ag, a startup dedicated to helping farmers increase productivity through innovation and technology. This investment was made through Stine Seed Farm, an affiliate of Stine Seed Company. Stine's commitment to innovation is evident in his company's development of high-density corn varieties, which have achieved average yields of up to 300 bushels per acre. His licensing deals with companies like Monsanto and Syngenta have been highly lucrative, contributing to his substantial wealth. Stine's philanthropic activities include donations to various Iowa institutions, including McPherson College, Drake University, and Spurgeon Manor. He has also been recognized with awards such as Iowa's Outstanding Young Farmer in 1973 and Agrimarketer of the Year in 1989. In 2014, Forbes estimated his net worth at nearly $3 billion, and in 2025, it was estimated at $9.9 billion. His contributions to agriculture and biotechnology have had a significant impact on the industry, and he continues to be a leading figure in agricultural innovation and investment.