Johnny's Attends the 2012 Bejo Seeds Open House

At the beginning of this week, members of Johnny's staff traveled to the 2012 Bejo Seeds Open House and Demonstration Trials in Geneva, NY. Members of our Purchasing Department, Research Department and several of our Territory Sales Representatives attended. Our staff drove the 7+ hours to upstate New York on Monday morning and back to Maine again on Thursday.

At the Open House, Johnny's had a demonstration plot of Basil, Beans, Squash, Tomatoes, Swiss Chard, Melons, Eggplants, and Peppers. In addition to our Demonstration Plot, we had a booth where members of our staff were on hand to answer various questions and catch up with customers. We also had equipment demonstrations of our latest tools and supplies.

See photos below of our booth, the Demonstration Plot, and some of the Johnny's staff interacting with customers and members of the Bejo Seeds company.

A Look at the Demonstration Plots

The Johnny's Booth

A Close-up of our Chard Growing
in the Demonstration Plot

Two of Johnny's Territory Sales Reps,
Amber and Rod, Speaking with Customers

A member of the Canadian Sales Team,
Randy, and Tony of Caltabiano Farms using
Johnny's Quick Hoops™ High Tunnels

  

Cabbage Trials

Johnny's Territory Sales Rep, Amber, Speaking with
Sandy Arnold of Pleasant Valley Farm

Some of Johnny's Sales and Research team
speaking with members of the Bejo Seeds staff 

Johnny's staff going through the Demonstration Trials

Johnny's Raffle Winner Announced

Kissimmee, FL -- Ande Becker of Organic Toms in Monticello, FL was the winner of our Florida Small Farms Show raffle recently! The prize was a $100 Johnny's gift card. 

The Florida Small Farms Show took place July 27-29th, 2012.

Johnny's Selected Seeds Now 100% Employee Owned

Almost forty years ago Rob Johnston had a vision. He identified an opportunity for a new kind of seed company; one that would find the most adaptable varieties with the best flavor and sell them to gardeners and growers. By remaining true to Rob’s original vision, the Company has grown to include more than 130 full-time employees and a loyal following of thousands of customers worldwide. The mission of Johnny’s Selected Seeds—to help families, friends, and communities feed one another by providing superior seeds, tools, and information—is lived by the employees every day. In 2006, a plan was put in place for the company to become an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) with the intention of the ESOP Trust owning 100% of the shares by 2016.  In June of 2012, the Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust’s was able to acquire 100% of Johnny’s Selected Seeds from founder, Rob Johnston, ahead of schedule.

At a recent Company event held at Johnny’s Selected Seeds’ Research Farm in Albion, employees, the Board of Directors, and long-time friends recognized Rob for his foresight. Rob and his wife, Janika Eckert, were honored for their dedication and tireless work in accomplishing the goal of employee ownership. Mary Gomane, an employee and ESOP Trustee, stated “This is a wonderful retirement benefit, and I am so grateful to Rob and Janika for making this decision”. With employees being represented by the Trust, the Company is poised to continue its mission and expand well into the future.