Nestled quietly in Greeley, Pawnee Buttes Seed, Inc. is more than just a seed company—it’s a steward of Colorado’s natural landscape, a trusted partner to landowners and land managers, and a reflection of the man at its helm: Don Hijar.
Don’s journey begins in Sugar City, Colorado, a small town once built around a booming sugar factory. Growing up on irrigated farmland, Don spent his childhood thinning and hoeing beets—his summer vacations were spent not on beaches but in the furrows of hard work. Though he didn’t know it at the time, those long days under the sun were planting more than crops; they were cultivating a deep respect for soil, plants, and people who live close to the land.
After earning a degree in animal science from Colorado State University, Don worked for the Soil Conservation Service. There, he learned how to read the land—understanding not just the science of soils and plants but also the needs of the people who rely on them. That blend of technical knowledge and practical empathy laid the foundation for what would become a lifelong mission.
In 1984, Don entered the seed business. "If you had asked me then how long I’d last, I probably would’ve said a year," he laughs. "It didn’t seem like it had anything to do with animal science or soils." But that first year quickly grew into something more. “Everything starts with a seed,” he says, reflecting on a simple yet powerful truth that continues to guide him today.
By 1998, Don had spent 14 years managing a seed branch in Greeley when the opportunity came to buy it. With the support and encouragement of his first wife, Janine, he took the leap—laying the foundation for what would become Pawnee Buttes Seed, Inc. The name they chose together was inspired by the striking landforms and vast grasslands of northeastern Colorado. “We wanted something local, something that felt like home,” Don says.
From the beginning, the business was built on quality and trust. “Anybody can sell seed,” Don explains. “But selling the right seed? That’s what matters.” Specializing in native grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, and wetland species, the company works closely with both private landowners and public land managers. Each seed mix is carefully crafted to suit Colorado’s diverse soils and climates, helping restore rangelands, support conservation efforts, and beautify open spaces.
Don’s passion goes beyond plants—it’s about people, too. “If my employees don’t feel good about what they do, even great pay won’t keep them here,” he says. “They have to believe in our purpose.” That belief has created a workplace culture rooted in integrity, education, and doing right by the land and each other. “What goes out the door matters,” Don insists. “We don’t just sell a product—we help people succeed.”
Pawnee Buttes Seed’s community impact runs deep. The company supports local Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters, sponsors statewide grass identification competitions, and works with conservation organizations like Colorado Open Lands and Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. Whether it’s helping protect farmland through conservation easements or promoting habitat for native birds, Don’s dedication to the land shows up in countless, quiet ways.
One of his favorite contributions is the annual Grass Tour, which brings together students, landowners, and land managers from across the state—and beyond—to learn about native grasses and how to care for open spaces. “The furthest we’ve had someone come is California,” Don notes with pride. “It’s about education, about connecting people to the land.”
That connection is perhaps the heart of Don’s legacy. He envisions a future where open space still stretches between towns, where grasses sway in the breeze, and wildflowers bloom each spring. He hopes that with every seed sold, Pawnee Buttes Seed, Inc. helps protect a piece of Colorado’s natural heritage. “Even if you never walk on that land,” he says, “you get to drive by and see something beautiful. And that matters.”
After nearly 41 years in the seed business—and 27 years as a business owner—Don still finds joy in every growing season. With no plans to slow down, he continues to lead with humility, humor, and a genuine love for Colorado. A big part of that continued passion is thanks to his wife, Casey, whose insight and encouragement help keep him grounded and inspired. “This is my home,” he says. “And taking care of it—that’s something worth planting your life in.”
“What goes out the door matters,” Don insists. “We don’t just sell a product—we help people succeed.”