PanAmerican Seed:
A journey over 75 years

The 1940's

Claude Hope of Sweetwater, Texas was best-in-his-class at Texas Tech, where he met future horticulture expert Charlie Weddle. During their college days, Charlie and Claude had lively discussions about a seed production company that would be an innovation for the industry. Together with Bob Holley, the three of them cultivated an idea that quickly grew and evolved.

In 1946, in Paonia, Colorado, PanAmerican Seed was born.

The three men found the perfect match in each other for collaborating on new and exciting ways of flower breeding. Charlie found a location in the mountains of Western Colorado in which he did his breeding work. And in Costa Rica, Claude founded an infant production facility.

The 1960's

This co-op meant more business and bigger orders. In 1962, the two firms, Ball Horticultural Company and PanAmerican Seed, combined their efforts and the company as we know it today was born. They merged not only their companies, but brought their biggest strengths, expertise and most beautiful products together under one roof. PanAmerican Seed moved to a new office in West Chicago, Illinois.

The 1980's

The 1980s meant new and exciting products. It was also the perfect time to open a new research and development facility in Elburn, Illinois. By having multiple R&D facilities, breeding could be tested at different climates, which helps develop stronger genetics. The Elburn facility quickly grew to have 14 different growing zones.

The 2000's

PanAmerican Seed began a new era in the millennium with president Anne Leventry, and moved towards a bright path of expansion. With the turn of the century came more exciting opportunities and acquisitions. Many companies became part of PanAmerican Seed to provide customers with a better and wider assortment. And though the assortment broadened, the company core is still the same – healthy seeds for quality products.