USA —Albert Lea Seed House, owner of Viking Corn & Soybeans and one of the largest suppliers of organic field seed in the United States, has acquired Blue River Organic Seed, from the Farmers Business Network (FBN).
Founded in 2005, Blue River Organic Seed is USA’s longest-established organic seed corn brand. Currently the company’s product line includes organic corn, silage, soybean, alfalfa, forages and sorghum, while Albert Lea Seed offers organic seeds, small grains, cover crops, wildflowers and native grasses.
The acquisition makes Albert Lea Seed one of the largest organic field seed suppliers, producers and commercialization experts in the United States.
It also brings together experienced industry leaders to the Albert Lea Seed team and adds Blue River’s 40,000-square-foot climate-controlled seed warehouse and office for support and distribution of the combined Viking/Blue River Organic Seed brand.
“We have long admired the success of Albert Lea Seed,” said Maury Johnson, co-founder of Blue River Organic Seed. “We are proud to join forces with them to accelerate our successes and seize the opportunity to further evolve the organic farming industry.”
Matt Helgeson, the co-owner of Albert Lea Seed House and lead of sales and business development, spoke about what this new union means.
“Blue River has had a very complementary lineup to ours. So, what that brings is additional genetics, additional options to bring to the producers- for more options to fit their farm for their unique needs.” Helgeson said.
“The combined company will provide the best selection of organic-specific genetics, delivered by a farmer-focused team that specializes in organic agriculture and from a family-owned company that is committed to the long-term growth and success of organic agriculture,” added Mac Ehrhardt, president of Albert Lea Seed.
With sale season approaching, farmers will now have the option to buy their seed all from one nationwide source. The combined Viking/Blue River Organic seed brand will operate out of both company’s headquarters, Albert Lea Seed’s headquarters in Albert Lea, Minnesota, and Blue River’s base in Ames, Iowa.
Albert Lea Seed currently serves more than 6,000 customers. The addition of Blue River will double the size of its organic corn and soybean seed business and will enable it to serve customers and dealers across the United States more efficiently.
Liked this article? Subscribe to Food Business Africa News, our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s food and agro industry. SUBSCRIBE HERE
