Inaugural Missouri Grown Pioneer Award

2016: Stark Bro's has been to chosen to receive the Missouri Department of Agriculture's first Missouri Grown Pioneer Award on December 14.

Louisiana, MO — December 20, 2016 — The Missouri Department of Agriculture has chosen Stark Bro's Nurseries & Orchards Co. to receive the agency's first Missouri Grown Pioneer Award.

The Missouri Grown Pioneer Award recognizes a Missouri agriculture business or producer that has had a lasting impact on the state's agriculture industry.

"It's been our privilege to recognize Stark Bro's 200th anniversary this year. We think there is no better honoree for the Missouri Grown Pioneer Award," said Christi Miller, the Department's AgriMissouri Manager. The award was presented by the Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Richard Fordyce.

The name of the award couldn't be more apt. Stark Bro's was founded in 1816 by James Hart Stark, a true pioneer who brought apple tree scions from Kentucky and helped establish fruit-growing west of the Mississippi. Those scions, which were eventually grafted onto local crabapple trees and grown in Stark's Missouri orchard, would become what is now the world's oldest fruit-tree nursery and the world's largest online direct-to-consumer nursery.

Stark Bro's will begin its 201st year in business this coming January.

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Announcement

We have some big news...We're joining with Stark Bro's!

Dear Friends,

I'm very excited to announce that after 75 years, Miller Nurseries will now become part of Stark Bro's, a highly respected nursery company that's been "growing" their famous legacy since 1816.

Who is Stark Bro's?

Watch a video about the Stark Bro's legacy. Hear the president of Stark Bro's, Cameron Brown, and others tell the Stark Bro's story.

For over 200 years, Stark Bro's has been producing high-quality fruit trees, berries and garden plants for gardeners like you. With their great nursery stock and expert advice, they've been helping generations of families reap not only the rewards of growing their own fruits and nuts, but to enjoy huge savings in the process. Stark Bro's has a long-standing reputation for quality, honesty and really taking care of their customers.

When my brother David passed away suddenly last spring, I knew it was time to retire. One of the first things I did was to call Cameron Brown, the president of Stark Bro's. He is a long-time friend and a very trustworthy fellow, and treats his customers like gold. I knew he would take care of you in exactly the same way. David would have liked this arrangement, and I take comfort in that.

What's going to happen to Miller Nurseries and my customer account?

It's only going to get better as part of the Stark Bro's family. You'll now be able to come here to StarkBros.com and sign in with your existing username and password, and purchase products just like you did on the Miller Nurseries website... only the selection will be much larger! You'll still be able to buy Miller's familiar "Canandaigua Quality" hardy plants as well as the enormous assortment of trees and plants Stark Bro's offers.

We want to take this opportunity to acknowledge our family, our wonderful employees, and especially you - our loyal customers - for your support and patronage over these last 75 years. Thank you for being such an important part of our heritage.

Warm regards,
John Miller, CEO
Miller Nurseries

Miller Nurseries is now part of Stark Bro's

Questions or concerns about the change?

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