Beck's Hybrids Celebrates 50 Years of Family-Owned Seed Company

New documentary chronicles the growth and succession of the largest family-owned retail seed company in the U.S.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Beck's Hybrids, a family-owned seed company founded in 1937 on an 80-acre farm in Atlanta, Indiana, has released a new documentary titled "A Home-Grown Legacy" that chronicles the company's decades of growth to become the largest family-owned retail seed company in the United States. The documentary provides an intimate look at how the Beck family has navigated succession, rooted in their unwavering faith and dedication to helping farmers succeed.

Why it matters

As a family-owned business that has thrived for over 80 years, Beck's Hybrids' story provides a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of multi-generational entrepreneurship, especially in the agriculture industry. The documentary highlights how the company has maintained its small-town values and commitment to serving farmers despite its significant growth over the decades.

The details

The documentary follows the Beck family, including current CEO Sonny Beck and his grandson Chris Beck, the Facilities Project Lead. It explores the company's founding in 1937 on an 80-acre farm and its evolution into the largest family-owned retail seed company in the U.S. with over 1,100 employees. The film delves into the family's core values of "faith, family, and farming" and how these principles have guided the company's decisions and growth strategy.

  • Beck's Hybrids was founded in 1937 on an 80-acre farm in Atlanta, Indiana.
  • The company has grown to become the largest family-owned retail seed company in the U.S. over the past 80+ years.
  • Beck's Hybrids released the documentary "A Home-Grown Legacy" in 2026 to chronicle the company's history and succession.

The players

Beck's Hybrids

A family-owned seed company founded in 1937 that has grown to become the largest family-owned retail seed company in the United States.

Sonny Beck

The CEO of Beck's Hybrids and the family elder, who has helped guide the company's growth and succession over the decades.

Chris Beck

Sonny Beck's grandson and the Facilities Project Lead at Beck's Hybrids, representing the next generation of leadership for the family business.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm excited about all the things we don't know about yet. We're going to pursue some things in the future, seek out opportunities in the future, but it's all in the name of being committed to our purpose of honoring God and helping others.”

— Chris Beck, Facilities Project Lead, Beck's Hybrids

“Faith, family, and farming. We've said that for years and that boiled down to, well we're going to help others. What do we mean by that? Well, if you help others in life, you might not always make the most money, but you still did the right thing. So, we're going to help farmers succeed. It is very true to what everything we do.”

— Sonny Beck, CEO, Beck's Hybrids (Hoosier Ag Today)

What’s next

The documentary "A Home-Grown Legacy" is available to watch on the Beck's Hybrids YouTube channel, providing viewers with an in-depth look at the company's history and future plans.

The takeaway

Beck's Hybrids' story demonstrates how a family-owned business can thrive for generations by staying true to its core values of faith, family, and a commitment to serving its community, in this case, the farming industry. The company's ability to maintain its small-town ethos and customer-centric approach despite significant growth is an inspiration for other family-owned enterprises seeking to build a lasting legacy.