Walsh Hunt Seed Service Builds on Tradition with NuTech
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In 2014, when David Hunt joined the business that would eventually become Walsh Hunt Seed Service, LLC, he stepped into a business with deep roots in northern Illinois agriculture. Founded by longtime seedsman Bernie Walsh, the company had earned a reputation for dependable service and local trust. After Bernie’s retirement, David took the reins—continuing that legacy while expanding the business to bring farmers more options and support.
David also brings firsthand farming experience to the business. He, his parents, Randy and Janet, and sister LeAnn Clark operate Hunt Farms near Durand, Illinois, where they raise corn and soybeans using a mix of conventional and no-till practices tailored to their area’s diverse soils. David understands the challenges local growers face—from managing corn-on-corn acres to responding to weather and disease pressures. That practical experience gives him a valuable perspective when helping customers choose hybrids and manage risk.
Family remains at the heart of David’s life and work. Alongside his wife, Talia, and their young daughter, Presley, David balances farm life with running the seed business, “Farming and family are completely intertwined for us,” David says.
This year marks the company’s first season offering NuTech Seed, a partnership that David says just made sense. “Everything about NuTech—from the people to the performance—aligns with how we run our business,” he explains. “It’s about integrity, relationships, and products that perform.”
David first connected with NuTech through District Sales Manager Ryan Gilbert, a college friend from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. “I’d seen NuTech’s results in trials and knew NuTech had some strong genetics from Corteva,” David says. “After talking with Ryan, it was clear NuTech fit perfectly with our goals.”
The company’s first year with NuTech has centered on trials and introductions. David and his team—including sales agronomist Joey Erickson, CCA—planted three test plots and ran several on-farm comparisons. Early results have been strong. “The corn has come as advertised,” David says. “We’ve been really impressed with the rootworm traits and corn-on-corn performance.”
That hands-on testing and commitment to local research reflect the company’s philosophy of pairing real-world experience with professional agronomic support. “We try to offer the best of both worlds,” David explains. “As a farmer, I can see how products perform on our own ground. Joey brings an agronomic perspective that helps us deliver professional, data-driven service to every customer.”
David appreciates NuTech’s willingness to work collaboratively as Walsh Hunt grows. “They’ve been open and supportive as we integrate NuTech,” he says. “It’s a partnership built on trust, not pressure—and that’s important to us.”
Looking ahead, David is optimistic about where the partnership will lead. “NuTech’s philosophy—More Performance. More Satisfaction. More Life. —is exactly what we believe in,” he says. “We want to help farmers get more out of every acre and enjoy what they do. That’s what success looks like for us.”