In 1926 in Des Moines, Iowa, Henry A. Wallace founded the first commercial hybrid seed company, the Pioneer Hi-Bred Corn Company. In 1959, he and his wife Ilo established the Wallace Genetic Foundation from the transfer of Pioneer shares to the Foundation.
Henry A. Wallace believed that “the greatest private pleasure comes from serving the general welfare of all.” In order to improve the quality of life for all people, he urged long-term conservation of the soil and of the environment, rather than exploitation of natural resources for temporary profits. The Wallace Genetic Foundation funds organizations whose work promises to provide long-term national or global benefit in such areas as conservation of natural resources, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity protection, reduction of environmental toxins, clean drinking water, and global climate issues.
