Our Company

More Than40Years of


Excellence

Our Facilities

Salinas,
California

Woodland, California

Morgan Hill,
California

Pacific
Northwest

Fort Myers,
Florida

Yuma,
Arizona

Our Story

Sakata Seed America was established in 1977 as a research, production and sales division of Sakata Seed Corporation. Headquartered in Morgan Hill, California, we have facilities across the country. Our goal is to quickly and efficiently meet the industry's needs for quality seed, strong performance and excellent yields, as well as retail and consumer demand for delicious fruit and vegetables. Today, we continue to challenge ourselves to be the industry leader for innovation, quality, reliability and service.

Watermelon field

Our Story

Today, the Sakata name has become one of the major international symbols of comprehensive customer support and products that meet diversified customer needs. Our broccoli and pansies, for example, maintain an overwhelming share of the global market and attest to our position as a formidable leader in the seed industry.

By making full use of the climate and environmental conditions in various regions around the world, we are able to develop new varieties ideally suited to a wide range of environments. These facilities feature advanced equipment for top-level research and development, including biotechnology.

beet

Our Story

Sakata Seed Corporation, headquartered in Yokohama, Japan became the first Japanese company to export seed and has since been actively involved in the development of new and improved plant varieties around the world. Sakata’s overseas activities have earned it a reputation for quality in over 130 countries.

Sakata office with flowers

COMPANY MILESTONES

A Note from our President and CEO, Dave Armstrong

A century in business matters. Sakata has survived world wars, economic crises and natural disasters to continuously create new standards in global vegetable and ornamental markets. In a marketplace characterized by intensive consolidation, Sakata stands as a symbol of independence, innovation and reliability. A century of business matters to Sakata staff, who have shown their commitment through decades of dedication. It matters to our customers, who have become partners, supporting Sakata genetics over these many years, while realizing value in their businesses from our innovation. On this momentous occasion, we express our deep appreciation to all of Sakata’s stakeholders.

Dave Armstrong signature

1913

1930

1966

1972

1972

1977

1979

1985

1988

1990

1993

1994

2000

2001

2005

2006

2010

2012

2014

2015

2017

2018

2019

1913

The company’s founder, Takeo Sakata, founded Sakata Noen.

1930

The Chigasaki Breeding station in Japan was established. Research and development over a wide range of varieties began.

1966

World’s first commercial hybrid pansy Majestic Giants, bred by Sakata, receives an All-America Selections award.

1972

The Sakata broccoli presence was enhanced with the introduction of hybrid broccoli Green Duke, opening the door for other market-leading varieties.

1972

Co-operation began with Northrup King, ALF Christianson Seed Company (ACS) and other companies for U.S. sales and global production needs.

1977

Sakata Seed America, Inc. was established. The first office was located in downtown San Francisco, California, and was staffed by a small team of dedicated employees.

1979

Hideo Takahashi arrived in San Francisco at Sakata Seed America. There was only one person in the small office downtown founded on the principle of “local” production.

1985

Grand opening of the first Research Station in the U.S. in Salinas, California.

1988

Grand opening of Sakata Seed America Headquarters in Morgan Hill, California.

1990

Sakata Seed Corporation listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section. Grand opening of Production/Research Station in Yuma, Arizona.

1993

Sakata Seed de Mexico (SMX) was established.

1994

Grand opening of Research Station in Ft. Myers, Florida.

2000

Sakata Seed de Guatemala (SGU) was established.

2001

ALF Christianson Seed Company (established in 1926) became a subsidiary of Sakata.

2005

Milestone: Impatiens SunPatiens®

2006

Ground-breaking new series SunPatiens® wins The Home Depot Most Innovative New Product award.

2010

Established Sakata America Holding Company, Inc.

2012

Milestone: Infinite Gold LSL Melon.

2014

Sakata launches new stable of hybrid triploid watermelon genetics, including: Charismatic, Kingman, Secretariat and Unbridled.

2015

Introduced broccoli hybrids, Diamante and Millennium. SunPatiens® Spreading Shell Pink is the inaugural vegetative plant from cuttings to receive the AAS Flower Award.

2017

Sakata Seed America Celebrated 40 years of business in North America! Profusion Red Zinnia announced AAS Winner.

2018

Grand Opening of Woodland Innovation Center in Woodland California.

2019

SDG Project: Corporate Sustainability Plan

Sakata breeder

Meet our Breeders

Spinach Breeder

Bill Johnson

spinach

Spinach Breeder

Bill Johnson

Bio coming soon!

Brassica Breeder

Yuto Iida

Brassica Breeder

Yuto Iida

Bio coming soon!

Lettuce Breeder

Miguel Macias Gonzalez

Lettuce Breeder

Miguel Macias Gonzalez

Bio coming soon!

Beet Breeder

Laura Ann Diehl

Photo of Dr. Laura Ann Diehl standing in radish field

Beet Breeder

Laura Ann Diehl

Education:

Ph.D.—Plant Breeding, Texas A&M University
M.S.—Entomology, Texas A&M University
B.S.—Biological Sciences, Clemson University

Years of Service at Sakata: 2015 - Present

Currently Breeding: Beets & Pumpkins

What inspired you to be a vegetable breeder?

I’ve always been very interested in working with living things, particularly plants and insects. Growing up, my parents taught us about the natural world and encouraged curiosity and creativity. I studied entomology during my masters and through that was introduced to the agricultural sciences. I became interested in plant breeding as a way to work on something very applied, while still being able to study what first drew me to science, biology and understanding how living things fit together.

What’s the best/your favorite part of your job?

I enjoy the creativity of plant breeding. Making and evaluating new hybrids is the best part of my job.

What specifically do you like about Sakata Seed America?

Sakata has a close-knit and supportive atmosphere that makes it a great place to work.

Can you tell us something that not everyone knows about you?

I’m a hobbyist entomologist and enjoy collecting and rearing insects.

Baby Leaf Breeder

Jenna Price

Jenna Price

Baby Leaf Breeder

Jenna Price

Education
M.S. – Plant Breeding, Iowa State University
B.S. – Agronomy, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Years of Service at Sakata: 2012 to Present

Currently Breeding:  Baby Leaf Beet and Swiss Chard

Jenna, what led you to decide to become a vegetable breeder?

Since growing up on my family’s farm in Minnesota I have always been drawn to agriculture. After a trip to Central America in college I realized there was so much more to the world’s agriculture than corn and soybeans and I set out to learn about it. Vegetable breeding is a great way to see what and how people grow things all over the world.

What’s the best part of your job?

The best part of my job as a plant breeder is the amount of creativity I get to employ to solve problems. The best part of my job at Sakata is the people I get to work with on a daily basis.

Sakata recently celebrated 40 years of business in NAFTA – Do you have anything special you’d like to say about Sakata?

Sakata’s entrepreneurial spirit makes it a place that fosters people to build innovation. Combining that with Sakata’s emphasis on philanthropy makes this a company I am proud to work for.

Briefly, can you tell us something that not everyone knows about you!

I’m pretty fluent in German from spending a year in Cologne when I was in college.

Radish & Collard Breeder

Naoki Yaya

Naoki Yaya

Radish & Collard Breeder

Naoki Yaya

Education:

M.S. - Plant Breeding, Iowa State University
B.S. – Plant Biotechnology, UC Davis
B.A. - Comparative Literature, UC Davis
Postgraduate Certificate - Plant Breeding Academy, UC Davis

Years of Service at Sakata: 2007 to Present

Currently Breeding: Radish and Collard

=Naoki, why did you decide to become a vegetable breeder?

I didn’t decide to become a vegetable breeder until I became one! As a new breeder, I had opportunities to expand our existing programs to better suit our company’s growing needs. It has been an exhilarating experience, and I am officially hooked.

What’s the best part of your job?

Vegetable breeding is never boring. I plan and plant nurseries, apply pesticides, pollinate and harvest. I also travel, evaluate trials, and talk with growers, seed dealers as well as sales and production. I try to make varieties that everyone will be happy with. It is an ongoing process. The many facets of this job drive me crazy sometimes, but I love what I do.

Recently Sakata celebrated 40 years of business in NAFTA - Do you have anything special you’d like to say about Sakata?

Sakata is a fun place to work. Everyone has a lot of work to do, and yet they are more than willing to help if we need it. It is a kind of workplace that I feel safe in and I appreciate the support given to me by my colleagues.

Briefly, can you tell us something that not everyone knows about you!

I have a license as a Pest Control Advisor in California. I help with pesticide related decisions and safety programs in Salinas.

ALLIED BUSINESSES

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