Sakata Acquires Alf Christianson Seed Company

Effective April 3, 2002, Sakata Seed Corporation of Yokohama, Japan, has acquired full ownership interest in the Alf Christianson Seed Company, Mt. Vernon, Washington.

Sakata Seed is a major flower and vegetable seed company, with seed research, production, and marketing facilities throughout the world. They have been a key account and minority shareholder of Alf Christianson for the past 21 years.

Alf Christianson Seed Company will continue to operate under its current name, and will retain its present seed production activities in eastern and western Washington. Current General Manager, Jeanne Crannell, will continue to manage the business, with oversight provided by Sakata Seed America. It is anticipated that all staff and management will remain the same. Alf Christianson provides contract seed production services for companies worldwide. In addition, it is a breeder and marketer of its own varieties, which are sold under the company’s Chriseed Brand. Its Farmax Division provides custom farming services to growers in western Washington.

Alf Christianson, grandfather of past president Ken Christianson, founded Alf Christianson Seed Company in 1926 in Mount Vernon. Alf had prior experience in the seed business, enjoying a distinguished career with the Charles H. Lily Seed Company in Seattle, and with City Grain and Seed of Mount Vernon. The company has produced cabbage seed since its founding, and through the years, expanded its growing acres to include hybrid and open-pollinated spinach, carrot, radish, beet, and turnip seed, as well as other vegetable and herb seed. The company celebrated 75 years in business last year.