About Garst
Garst Seed Company was founded in 1930 by Roswell Garst, an early innovator of hybrid seed corn. Roswell was widely recognized for his unique production methods as well as his establishment of the first farmer/dealer sales network. Since that time Garst Seed Company has earned a reputation for delivering superior seed products, customer service and agronomic and technical leadership. Those strengths have ensured 76 successful years in the seed business - a true milestone in the current, rapidly changing seed industry.
Today, Garst provides smart, innovative seed solutions for growers across North America with high yielding corn, soybean, sorghum, alfalfa and sunflower products. Backed by the resources and research of Syngenta, Garst is the recognized leader in high-yielding seed with excellent agronomic performance.
With Garst, you've got an advocate in your corner. Our seed advisors are dedicated to your success. That means translating the knowledge of our agronomic research team— backed by millions of dollars in Syngenta research—into recommendations tailored to your region, your field, your exact situation. So you get more than high-performing hybrids and seed varieties—you get answers.
Garst Timeline
1927 - An alliance formed between Roswell Garst and Henry Wallace to develop and promote hybrid seed corn.
1930 - The Garst & Thomas Hybrid Corn Company founded in Coon Rapids, IA. Contract growing and sales distribution begins in the western Corn Belt under the name Pioneer brand hybrid corn.
1935 - Super Crost Seed Company founded by Edward J. Funk and Sons in Kentland, IN.
1930 to 1945 - U.S. corn growers went from planting no hybrid seed corn to planting it on 100% of their acres.
1969 U.S. corn acreage surpasses 50 million acres.
1983 - Garst Seed Company formed after a split of the Garst and Thomas family businesses.
1985 Garst Seed Company purchased by ICI Americas, a British company.
1990 ICI Seeds purchased the various seed companies of Edward J. Funk and Sons, including Super Crost Hybrids.
1991 Garst Seed Company changed its name to ICI Seeds.
1996 The ICI Seeds name is dropped. The Garst name is "readopted" across the cornbelt and Garst becomes part of a global seed group called Advanta.
1998 Garst Seed Company buys AgriPro Seeds, Inc.
1999 Garst Seed Company purchases PSA Genetics, LLC.
2000 Garst Seed Company purchases the Gutwein retail seed business.
2004 Garst Seed Company is purchased by Syngenta, the world leader in agricultural inputs.
2009 Garst and Syngenta launch the new campaign “Better Answers” telling growers why Garst advisors are more than reps.
2010 Syngenta announces the Agrisure Viptera trait giving U.S. corn growers broadest spectrum of above- and below-ground insect control.