Whitgro buys Johnson Seed at Garfield

Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter | Apr 13, 20170

Whitgro, Inc., announced March 31 the purchase of Johnson Seed Company in Garfield.

The sale will take effect June 1.

“We are excited about the opportunity to enhance their seed capacity and grow their already robust seed operation,” said Whitgro General Manager Heath Barnes. “This acquisition will allow Whitgro the ability to maintain a high-quality seed program in the future.”

Mark Johnson, the sole owner of Johnson Seed, founded the operation in 1997 after managing the seed plant of the former Oakesdale Grain Growers.

“I think it’ll be a good thing,” said Johnson of the sale. “To combine a couple seed companies, there’s some synergy there.”

Johnson, 60, plans to work another five years and retire. Johnson Seed will keep its name, at least for now, along with its full and part-time employees.

“I’d say the timing was good for Whitgro and good for me,” Johnson said. “If somebody wants to buy your business, you might want to listen.”

Whitgro was formed in 2008 with a merger of St. John Grain Growers and Wheat Growers of Endicott.

“Any time you have an opportunity to grow your footprint, your business, you take a look at that,” said Barnes.

Johnson, a graduate of Shadle Park High School in Spokane and WSU (agronomy), set up Johnson Seed on the hill in Garfield at the site of the former Auvil-Warner operation.

“I think everything will work out good,” Johnson said. “I’m grateful to our customers for supporting us. We’ll be able to keep our personalized service. Whitgro isn’t so big that we’ll have trouble keeping that.”