1-812-768-61571-800-467-0158
Today, Tenbarge Seed Company is a successful seed and turf supply distributor for the American Midwest. What we've become has evolved from more than 67 years of experience, dedication and our own ability to change with the times. Three generations of family have worn many hats at Tenbarge Seed Company over the years.
In 1940, Paul, Ed and Darvin Tenbarge began the business. At that time, Tenbarge was primarily a chicken hatchery. They also handled coal, drove a school bus and sold farm seeds, doing what is necessary to survive and keep the business going. Paul and Ed decided to incorporate the business in 1961 and evolved primarily into the seed business.
Growing stronger in the seed business, my father, Bob Will, had joined the business and became part-owner of Tenbarge. Ed later retired in 1985. Bob and my mother, Diane (Tenbarge was her maiden name, and Ed was her father), became sole owners of Tenbarge. During the 80's and 90's, Bob had 2 sons come to work at the business. Rocky became a full time employee after high school in 1983, and I (Chad) became full time after college in 1992. During the late 80's, our business was changing due to new challenges in the marketplace. We began to supply landscapers and lawn and garden centers with lawn seeds.
In the early 90's when I came to work in sales, we decided to venture into new markets that I had an interest in, primarily golf. The seed and fertilizer business for golf and sports turf, along with lawn and landscape made sense to us and fit nicely into the business. In addition, we felt there was a need for high-end quality bermudagrass and zoysiagrass sod, primarily for the golf and sports turf business.