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ALBERT LEA, Minn. — Albert Lea Seed House announced it has acquired Blue River Organic Seed, the nation's longest-established organic seed corn brand, from the Farmers Business Network.
Headquartered in Albert Lea, Albert Lea Seed was founded in 1923 as an independent, family-owned company that provides conventional non-GMO and organic seed products to farmers across the country under its Viking product line. It also offers cover crops, small grains and forage.
Founded in 2005 and based in Ames, Iowa, Blue River's product line includes organic corn, silage, soybean, alfalfa, forages and sorghum. FBN is an independent ag tech platform and farmer-to-farmer network with a mission to power the prosperity of family farmers around the world while working towards a sustainable future.
The combined Viking/Blue River Organic seed brand will operate out of Albert Lea, Minnesota, and Ames, Iowa.
"We firmly believe that integrating the Viking and Blue River Organic seed brands will be a real benefit to organic farmers," said Albert Lea Seed President Mac Ehrhardt. "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."
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According to a press release from the company, the acquisition elevates Albert Lea Seed as the largest organic field seed supplier, producer, and commercialization expert in the U.S. It also brings experienced industry leaders to the Albert Lea Seed team and will expand the organization's relationships in the organic farming market.
The addition to Albert Lea Seed also 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. We are proud to join forces with them to accelerate our successes and seize the opportunity to further evolve the organic farming industry," said Maury Johnson, co-founder of Blue River Organic Seed. "We cherish our Midwest roots, and we remain committed to ensuring that farmers all across the country will benefit from the responsible production, sale and use of our organic products."
Albert Lea Seed currently serves more than 6,000 customers, according to the company, and 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 U.S. more efficiently.
