Legacy Seeds Research & Learning Center (RLC)
A Hub for Forage Innovation
Founded in 2018 in Waupaca, Wisconsin, the Legacy Seeds Research & Learning Center (RLC) was built to fuel innovation in forage development, especially alfalfa. What began with a few test plots and meetings under a canopy tent has grown into a state-of-the-art, 7,000-square-foot facility surrounded by 25 acres of dedicated research ground. Today, the RLC is home to Legacy’s alfalfa breeding program and the center of our commitment to improving performance, persistence, and profitability for farmers across the Upper Midwest and beyond.
Focused on Real-World Performance
Inside the RLC, our team conducts rigorous research on alfalfa traits like disease resistance, root architecture, forage quality, and regrowth speed. The facility includes two controlled-environment greenhouses, a modern lab, shop space, and equipment for evaluating how varieties perform under real-world growing conditions. Every seed we bring to market is tested with the farmer in mind: ensuring stand longevity, stress tolerance, and yield stability through multiple seasons.
More Than Research—It’s Education in Action
But the RLC is more than a research hub, it’s where innovation meets education. We regularly host field days, grower meetings, and hands-on plot tours to give farmers, agronomists, and seed consultants a direct view into how varieties are developed, tested, and improved. This collaborative approach helps us stay grounded in what matters most: delivering alfalfa that works where you farm.
Want a behind-the-scenes look at the work being done at the RLC?
Watch our story here:
Ready to visit in person? We invite you to tour the Research & Learning Center. Just fill out the form below and a member of our team will connect with you to schedule your visit.
The Legacy Alfalfa Breeding Team
Olivia Steinmetz
Director of Forage Research
Olivia has a Bachelor’s of Science in Horticulture and Environmental Studies and a Master of Science in Plant Breeding and Genetics, both from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She joined Legacy Seeds in 2018 and brings a very strong background in pathology to our alfalfa breeding and development program.
James Ferrell
James has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He is currently working on a Master of Science in Plant Breeding at Iowa State University. His experience includes working in research and development of alfalfa and sweet corn. He also worked in agronomy sales covering a dairy-focused territory. By joining Legacy Seeds, James looks forward to helping producers adapt to the ever-changing agricultural environment.
