18 - Southpoint Sun
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Yoder brothers started in 1920
Keepsake Plants: producing flowers for 100 years LEAMINGTON — Aris Horticulture Inc., known locally as Keepsake Plants, and before that, Yoder Canada, is celebrating 100 years in busines. With humble beginnings, the company has grown to include multiple divisions, including Keepsake Plants Florida, Keepsake Plants Canada, Green Leafs Plants in Pennsylvania, as well as divisions called Must Have Perennials and Aris Sales. Ira and Menno Yoder first established the Yoder Brothers company in November, 1920 in Barberton, Ohio. They purchased the business from agricultural industrialist, O.C. Barber. Production, at that time, included vegetables and some flowering plants. The Yoder brothers, through scientific technologies, developed the Chrysanthemum into a
year-round world-wide crop. Today, what began as a sustainable agricultural farm, is now one of the largest, diversified vertically-integrated greenhouse operations in the industry. The corporate office remains in Barberton, with production locations in Alva, Florida (two farms); Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and Leamington, Ontario. Expansion touched many parts of the globe, including the southern U.S., Canada and Europe. The knowledge gained over the years has been applied to many other crops, including Azaleas, Hibiscus and Perennials. For example, Aris invested in perennials in 1996 and utilized its expertise in stock management to achieve both efficiency and clean stock. Making things better has been a driving force for
Keeping You Cozy & Warm This Winter
the company. In 1964, Yoder Brothers established themselves in Leamington, where new greenhouses were built to produce flowering potted plants for supermarket retail sales, in conjunction with Atkins Flowers. Plant patents replaced breeder/grower agreements and the first Chrysanthemum was patented in 1965. Over the course of the next three decades, Yoder Brothers was a worldwide leader in flowering plants and a breeding breakthrough in the 1990s featured ‘Pelee’ as being the first colour pot mum. In 2008, Yoder Brothers changed its name to Aris Horticulture Inc, when the mum genetics and internationally-known Yoder-mum brand name were sold to Syngenta Flowers. Keepsake Plants divisions were established for the Florida and Canadian
LAC
potted plant production. “We are incredibly proud to celebrate our 100th anniversary and humbled by the fact that few companies reach this
major milestone,� said a company statement. “It would not have been possible without the support of our customers, distribution and breeder part-
ners, suppliers, employees, and the communities we’ve worked with over the years.�
An aerial view of the Yoder Canada operation, Plants 1 and 2, as they looked prior to the 2010 Leamington tornado, which destroyed much of the greenhouse operation at this site along County Rd. 20. Aris Horticultural Inc., is celebrating 100 years in business, which was started in 1920 by Ira and Menno Yoder.
Must boef age 19 yeaorlds er to or hase purc
Leamington Arts Centre Create. Sustain. Celebrate.
artNEWS Leamington Arts Centre - 519.326.2711 - leamingtonartscentre.com
artBOARD
PLUMBING • HEATING • HVAC SERVICES
1 Iroquois Road Leamington
519-326-6054 Read the Southpoint Sun online at www.southpointsun.ca
T CURBSIDE TO-GO ART SUPPLIES + LAC SWAG Very large shipment of all new art supplies just in this week! Canvases, art bins, portfolios, brushes, pencils, mircon coloured pens, wood panels, papers and drawing pads... Visit our Facebook page to view some of our stock, or eMail us to ask IRU VSHFLÀF LWHPV LQIR#OHDPLQJWRQDUWVFHQWUH FRP 8x10: AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST Deadline extended AGAIN, to Feb 20. During lockdown entries can be left in our mailbox or mailed in. Enter 8×10� printed photos in the categories of abstract, weather and architecture. As part of the entry fee all photos will be professionally matted and displayed in the gallery. Prizes in each category sponsored by Framing by Anna & Speedprint. Membership Renewal: Renew now, get 10% OFF art supplies every day all day + free participation to our PHPEHUV VKRZ PDQ\ RWKHU EHQHÀWV U:21 Members Exhibit + Sale: Call For Submissions Enter 4 works free with a new/renewed membership. Deadline now extended to Feb 28, curbside drop off for submissions available now. Generous Supporters: Southpoint Sun & the Municipality of Leamington
SHOP
ONLINE Curbside & Delivery Available 5-20 Talbot St. S., Essex 519.961.9280 www.tonysjoint.com
MON-THUR: 9AM-9PM / FRI-SAT: 9AM-10 PM / SUN 10AM-7 PM
DID YOU KNOW? You can pick up the Southpoint Sun and flyers at our newsstand in front of our office
194 Talbot Street East, Unit #2
