Funk Brothers Seed Company

Eugene Duncan Funk (E.D.), a grandson of Isaac, formed the Funk Bros. Seed Company, Inc. in 1901 with about twelve other Funk family members. The Funk Bros. Seed Company, Inc. sought to produce higher yield corn varieties and a way to prevent diseases from attacking corn crops. In 1967 Funk Bros. Seed Co. was purchased by CPC International, Inc., and in 1972 the company went public under the name Funk Seeds International, Inc. In 1974 the company was purchased by Ciba-Geigy. Ciba-Geigy had already been producing insecticides, pesticides, and herbicides. The company has since merged with several others: AstraZeneca and Sygenta which is still producing agricultural products.