Founded in Miami
On July 7, Tropical Seeds is established to expand access to improved tropical forage genetics across Latin America and new international markets.
A family seed company built for the long view
Tropical Seeds connects specialized genetics, field research and practical relationships to help farmers build more productive and regenerative systems.
Read our storyOur story
Better seed began with better questions
Tropical Seeds was established in Miami on July 7, 2000 to expand Grupo Papalotla's reach across Latin America and develop new markets for improved CIAT Brachiaria hybrids.
As markets evolved, the company evolved with them. In 2017, Tropical Seeds entered a new chapter, expanding beyond improved tropical grasses to include tropical and cold-tolerant legumes for cover crops and green manure. This brought our work into row crops, horticulture and other production systems while preserving our roots in pasture, forage and grazing.
Today, Tropical Seeds connects research, genetics and practical agronomy across one portfolio of cover crops and improved forages. Our reach is global, but our purpose is specific: restore soil health for productive, resilient agriculture.
Operations take root
Eduardo Stern and his family move to Florida and build the company around forage development, seed production and long-term market relationships.
A broader agricultural chapter
The portfolio expands beyond tropical grasses to include warm- and cold-tolerant legumes for cover crops and green manure.
One connected portfolio
Cover crops and improved forages serve crop and grazing systems through research, practical agronomy and a global network.
Our philosophy
Put soil health back at the center of production
Long-term productivity begins with healthy soil. Across cropping and grazing systems, compaction, erosion, declining organic matter and reduced biological function can restrict roots, water movement and nutrient cycling.
Let the earth sustain production again
We believe better genetics and better management can return living roots, protective cover and functional diversity to the land—putting soil health back at the center of production.
To restore soil health for productive, resilient agriculture
To become the world's most trusted leader in cover crop genetics, research, innovation, and production—advancing farming and grazing systems that restore soil health, reduce environmental impact, and sustain productivity for generations
Leadership means turning better genetics and knowledge into measurable soil health and long-term productivity across crop and grazing systems.
What makes us different
Specialized enough to know the seed. Connected enough to see the system
Purpose-built portfolio
We focus on cover crops and improved forages whose traits answer real soil, pasture and production constraints.
Field-driven evidence
We connect genetics to trial context, management and limits so customers can make a clearer decision.
International roots
Research, production and market relationships across regions help us understand that adaptation is local.
Family accountability
A small team keeps responsibility close. The people building the portfolio remain part of the customer conversation.
Small team. Wide field
Expertise does not need a large-team portrait
Customers work with a focused family business and a broader network of researchers, seed producers, distributors, agronomists and growers. That model keeps communication direct while bringing the right specialist into the work when the field demands it.
The next chapter
Regenerating soil. Redefining agriculture
Explore the research behind the portfolio or bring us the production question you are trying to solve.