Our Company

More Than45Years of


Excellence

Our Facilities

Salinas,
California

Woodland, California

Morgan Hill,
California

Pacific
Northwest

Fort Myers,
Florida

Yuma,
Arizona

Guadalajara,
Mexico

Culiacan,
Mexico

El Tejar,
Guatemala

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.

Up close image of orange peppers

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

What People are Saying

I have grown Sakata’s Yellow Buttercup watermelon for years and have used many different pollinators. This year I used Sakata’s SWD8732 and SWD8585 and saw a significant increase in fruit set and overall yield versus when I used a competitor’s variety to pollinate my Yellow Buttercups.

Greg House
Omega, Georgia

Bold Ruler sets fruit earlier than any variety I’ve used in the past. This was our second year growing it and we will net around 80,000 lbs per acre after several harvest trips across the field. In my 32 years of growing watermelons, I’ve never had a variety perform like this one. We are going to continue Bold Ruler on our farm.

Charles W. Patterson
Patterson Farms
Omega, Georgia

We tried Citation because we wanted a 60-count watermelon in our program. It exceeded our yield expectations. It’s a dense watermelon that gets a concentrated uniform fruit set and packs out beautifully. Citation is early enough that we even saved a couple of spray trips and some money. Any time we can keep money on the farm is a good thing.

Broc Moore
Southern Acres Farms
Lenox, Georgia

I planted Bold Ruler and Affirmed on part of my acreage. I liked what we saw. They have a place in my rotation with other varieties.

John F. Davis
D & D Farms
Lenox, Georgia

We trialed Alaniz Gold melon from Sakata in 2012 and were very impressed with size yield and quality!! We were so happy that we decided to make it the main variety in our program!

Jacob and David Mendrin
JND Farms, Inc.
Fresno, California

This year we replaced some acreage with Atlantis cantaloupe and were tickled to death with the results. We had better yields, size and sugar. Atlantis will see a lot more acreage next year.

Alan Parrish
Sweet Dixie Melon Company
Ty Ty, Georgia

We had five varieties from three companies this season, and Charismatic stood out the most across the board – from quality, tonnage and earliness, and it held its size across multiple harvests.

Dustin Blank
FF Produce/The Farm
Estero, Florida

This was my first year growing Bold Ruler watermelon. I really liked how it set fruit six to seven days earlier than my other varieties. The yield was as good as the other melons and there were no quality problems. I will be growing Bold Ruler next year.

Lee Norman
D&L Produce
Moultrie, Georgia

We trialed Sakata watermelons in 2010 and in 2011 took a longer look at Citation, Affirmed and Bold Ruler. We split our production in 2012 with all three varieties because each fits a need we have. We can tailor our plantings to meet whatever need we have. We can be early or main season. We can plant more Affirmed if we want a few more 36-counts; or Bold Ruler for 45-counts; or Citation for more 60-counts, and still get the yields and quality we need and expect.

Buck Moore
Southern Acres Farms
Lenox, Georgia

Alaniz Gold was an exciting find for Westside Produce. Early in its life cycle we took interest in both its size and yield potential and added it to our program in 2012. We intend to make it a bigger part of our planting schedule and are encouraged by its long-term viability.

S. Garrett Patricio
Westside Produce
Firebaugh, CA

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

2021

2022

2023

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

2021

Sakata introduces Profusion Red Yellow Bicolor to its famed Profusion Zinnia line. Red Yellow Bicolor is awarded an AAS Gold Medal; the first gold medal awarded in 17 years.

2022

Sakata purchases of 14 hectares in Culiacan, Mexico. Celebrates opening of state-of-the-art ‘Culiacan Innovation Center.’ Viking® Explorer Rose on Green awarded AAS Gold Medal.

2023

Sakata Seed Corporation, headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, celebrates its 110th Anniversary milestone.

Sakata breeder

Meet our Breeders

Hot Pepper Breeder

Benito Juarez

Hot Pepper Breeder

Benito Juarez

Education
M.S. – Horticulture, UC Davis
B.S. – Agronomy and Plant Breeding, UASLP, Mexico

Years of Service at Sakata: 2014 to Present

Spinach Breeder

Bill Johnson

Spinach Breeder

Bill Johnson

Sweet Pepper Breeder

Brian Just

Sweet Pepper Breeder

Brian Just

Tomato Breeder

David Wolff

Dr. David Wolff

Tomato Breeder

David Wolff

Education:

Ph.D. - Horticulture/Genetics, North Carolina State University
M.S. - Horticultural Science, Virginia Tech
B.S. - Horticulture, The Pennsylvania State University

Years of Service at Sakata: 1998 to Present

Baby Leaf Beet, Chard & Pumpkin Breeder

Jenna Price

Baby Leaf Beet, Chard & Pumpkin 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

Saladette Tomato Breeder

Jeremy Sisson

Saladette Tomato Breeder

Jeremy Sisson

Beet Breeder

Laura Ann Diehl

DR. LAURA ANN DIEHL

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

Melon Breeder

Mark Frahm

Melon Breeder

Mark Frahm

Lettuce Breeder

Miguel Macias Gonzalez

Lettuce Breeder

Miguel Macias Gonzalez

Watermelon Breeder

Mohammed Hassan

Watermelon Breeder

Mohammed Hassan

Radish Breeder

Naoki Yaya

Naoki Yaya

Radish 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

Senior Watermelon Breeder

Nihat Guner

Senior Watermelon Breeder

Nihat Guner

Education:

Ph.D. - Horticulture - Plant Breeding and Genetics, Minor: Genetics, North Carolina State University
M.S. – Horticulture - Plant Breeding and Genetics, Oregon State University

Years of Service at Sakata: 2004 to Present

Pathologist

Sierra Hartney

Pathologist

Sierra Hartney

Education: 

Ph.D. – Plant Pathology, Oregon State University
M.S. – Plant Pathology, Washington State University
B.S. – Biological Sciences, Central Washington University

Years of Service at Sakata: 2012 – Present

Watermelon Breeder

Takshay Patel

Watermelon Breeder

Takshay Patel

Brassica Breeder

Yuto Iida

Brassica Breeder

Yuto Iida

ALLIED BUSINESSES

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AAS Winner logo tonedAAS Winner logo
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American Vegetable Grower logo tonedAmerican Vegetable Grower logo
And Now U Know logo tonedAnd Now U Know logo
The Packer logo tonedThe Packer logo
California Crop Improvement Association logo tonedCalifornia Crop Improvement Association logo
California Seed Association logo tonedCalifornia Seed Association logo
Greenhouse Management logo tonedGreenhouse Management logo
Grower Talks logo tonedGrower Talks logo
SeedWorld logo tonedSeedWorld logo
Home Garden Seed Association logo tonedHome Garden Seed Association logo
International Seed Federal logo tonedInternational Seed Federal logo
National Garden Bureau logo tonedNational Garden Bureau logo
National Onion Association logo tonedNational Onion Association logo
SeedQuest logo tonedSeedQuest logo
National Watermelon Association logo tonedNational Watermelon Association logo
National Watermelon Promotion Board logo tonedNational Watermelon Promotion Board logo
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