Connell Corteva Plant (Pioneer)Celebrates 40 year Anniversary

August 14, 2025

By: Katherine Trowbridge & Lety Guzman

TOUR--Family, Guests and Growers listen as the plant is shown to them and Guests gathered for presentations and lunch at the warehouse.

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 story telling.

“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. 

Larry Eckman shares about the beginnings.

In the first year of operations, the corn was taken to Idaho to be dried, as the dryers were still being built, Eckman explained. “It’s been a pleasure to work with the people who started it,” he said, sharing that “safety has come a long way.” 

Jessie Diaz started working at the Pioneer Plant in 1989, just a couple years into the operations. He shared, “It was still just the one building when I started here, one dryer and one office. I’ve seen the company expand.” 

The company has expanded from a small operation to an efficient and safe large operation that is being replicated. The Connell Plant was replicated in Hermiston in 2009. While Connell started small and grew to what it is today, in Hermiston, the plant started big and left room for expansion.  

Pioneer was an independent company for over eight years before being bought by Dupont in 1999. Dupont merged with Delwager Sciences in 2019 and, shortly after, was spun off to Corteva. 

Several longtime employees of the company shared their thoughts and were recognized during the celebration. From what got them involved in the company to how they have seen the company evolve over the years along with advice to new employees, favorite memories, and what their hopes are for the company’s future. 

Ofelia Peña has worked at the site since the mid 1980’s. Peña shared that over the last 25 years, technology has changed a lot. Moving from paper maps and notes to iPads and computers. She did say she prefers paper versions over lugging an iPad through the field. 

Peña has a connection with the company in a unique way; her uncle took people to Iowa, Illinois and Indiana for detasseling corn. She grew up in those locations and knew Pioneer was a good company to work for. Her hopes for the future, “To keep getting higher yields, to feed more people.” 

Diaz, who was featured in the presentation, spoke of safety as he shared, “Back then there was no safety.” To him, safety is one of the biggest changes to the company.  The company has held a 13 year safety record. Leaders expressed, “That’s a big deal when you can send people home safely.” 

Diaz has done just about everything from field work to taking seed to growers, estimates to drying corn. He told the Graphic, “I enjoy working here. I really like what I do. The job doesn’t get boring. New technologies are always coming in, there is great teamwork around here.” 

Carlos Gonzalez was drawn to the company by the incredible opportunities it offered, such as learning to operate various machines in both the processing plant and out in the field. “I love working outdoors, from operating tractors and planting seeds, to pulling tassels and harvesting our crops. The dynamic work culture and the friendships I’ve formed over the years have been instrumental in keeping me here [since 1986]. I especially appreciate the variety in my job; every three months, my tasks change, ensuring I never get stuck in a routine.” 

The company supported Gonzalez in getting his CDL, an investment in his future which was “incredibly affirming.” Gonzalez shared another memory of when leadership from Iowa came and they enjoyed dinners with them. 

Of the future, Gonzalez said, “I hope the company continues to prosper, enabling my coworkers to enjoy long and successful careers here. Personally, I aspire to retire from the company in a few years, knowing I’ve contributed to its success.” 

Cindy Rochleau talks with Corteva leaders and employees as they wait in the lunch line - for some smash burgers.

Several retired employees came back to celebrate, giving testament to the great company we have in our community, including Terry Eagy and Cindy Rochleau.

“Over the past 40 years, local operations have seen significant changes, notably with Corteva Agriscience selling its alfalfa breeding program and related assets to DLF September 1, 2023. While our site has historically grown and tested various crops such as carrots, canola, sorghum, alfalfa, sunflowers, wheat, soybeans, and corn, we currently focus exclusively on growing corn and winter canola,” Bladimir Molina Plant Operations Manager (Connell) shared with the Graphic.

Corn is grown in conjunction with local farmers to make sure quality standards and supply are met. Over the years, the number of farmers they work with has grown from the initial 12 growers.

From the field, corn is harvested green and brought to the Connell plant where it is husked and sorted, then goes through quality control in the lab, and spends four and a half days in the, now, eight driers, then onto more processing before being bagged and sent out to the Midwest.  

Products, mainly seed corn, are shipped to the Midwest, with key destinations including Johnston, Iowa and Utica, Illinois. Over the years, prices have increased due to inflation and the added value brought about by advanced agricultural technologies, Molina shared.  

“Modern technologies have revolutionized our operations. Precision agriculture, data analytics, and biotechnology have empowered us to offer tailored solutions that enhance crop yields while reducing environmental impact,” Molina said, “These advancements also allow us to provide local farmers with real-time insights and customized recommendations.” 

Molina stated when asked of the future of operations and agriculture as whole, “Our vision is to enrich the lives of both producers and consumers, ensuring sustainable progress for future generations.” 

Brett Iverson, Corteva’s Production Location Manager for the Pacific Northwest, stated during the celebration,  “We are thrilled to be in the community and look forward to another forty years.”