AgriGold

1934

Clarence Akin attends the University of Illinois where he graduates in 3 1/2 years and studies hybrid seed corn.

1936

Clarence Akin starts the legacy that is now AgriGold by planting his first acre of seed corn and officially starting Akin Seed Company. After talks with the Funk Brothers, Akin Seed Co. soon became an associate grower for Funk G Hybrids.

1937 

Lawrence County farmers Jimmy Stansfield, George Lawless, Oscar Leighty, and Andy Goodwin became the first growers to plant Clarence's hybrid seed and the first customers of Akin Seed Co.

1965 

As sales increased, Akin Seed Co. expanded by building a corn grading plant in St. Francisville, IL.

1972 

To further hybrid research, Clarence began visiting Moloka'i, Hawaii every winter to breed hybrids.

1973

After 38 years, Akin Seed Co. and six other associate growers ended their partnership with Funk G Hybrids and formed Golden Harvest.

1974

Dave Akin moved back to work in the family business and Akin Seed Company quickly started growing.

1979

As sales increased and expansion was needed, Akin Seed Company left Golden Harvest to become an independent seed corn company - AgriGold Hybrids. During that year, the AgriGold logo and slogan were established.

Craig Newman joined the company.

1980 

AgriGold expanded operations by adding Direct Sales Managers and territories while initiating recruitment at universities.

1982

A climate controlled refrigerated warehouse was added to maintain the highest quality seed possible.

1984

John Kermicle joined the company.

1985 

To ensure that growth goals were met and to satisfy the needs of customers, the grading plant at St. Francisville was updated and remodeled. For optimal seed quality, the innovative new "sweet corn harvesting" method was adopted to ensure gentle handling and efficiency.  Each ear of seed corn is still hand-sorted to maximize seed quality.

1986

As sales and expansion grew the need for further management arose. As a result, AgriGold hired their first Regional Managers.

1989

The Aroma Park, IL research plant was purchased enabling the company to further expand production.

1990

Sales increased dramatically, making AgriGold the fastest growing seed company in the 1990's.

1994

An alliance with Groupe Limagrain that provided AgriGold with access to research and genetics of the fourth largest seed company in the world, was created on March 17, 1994.

2000

Groupe Limagrain and KWS SAAT created AgReliant Genetics, allowing AgriGold access to premier genetics, the ability to provide improved hybrids and diversified germplasm.

2003

AgriGold introduced the Sheriff Campaign for A6395 and continued its rise as a leading seed corn company.

2004

A new office was constructed in St. Francisville, IL to serve as AgriGold headquarters.

2007

The building that housed the offices of AgriGold Hybrids from 1979 to 2004 was relocated to Bridgeport, IL.

2008

AgriGold now covers 400 counties in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Nebraska, Kansas and Mississippi.

2009

AgriGold introduced the GIANT that transformed the seed industry.