1930

Hilbert Seed was established August 16, 1930, and the name was changed in 1948 to Cowbell Seeds.  The company business consisted of buying clover seed, cleaning it for a fee and returning it to the farmer, or cleaning it and reselling it in the corn belt for rotating crops. One year the quarter would be planted to corn, the next year it would be planted to clover to replace the nitrogen in the soil that was taken out by corn production.

1960

Our first year in the turfgrass business. Blending turfgrass for the interstate systems, sod farms, landscapers.

1975

We began specializing in sales to hydroseeders.

1988

We developed Lawn Patch, a product for repairing bare spots in lawns. Selling first to our wholesale customers and then developing a business selling to home owners through mass merchants, hardware stores, etc.

1998

Sold Lawn Patch to US Home and Garden. Ken Hilbert, John Hilbert and Omer Messer retired. Scott Hilbert retained the turf distribution business in Brighton and Bradley. The Amturf/Ampro names went in the sale because Lawn Patch was licensed throughout the US as Amturf Lawn Patch. Scott Hilbert decided on the name of Rhino Seed and Turf Supply. This company mixed turfgrass, and sold related products such as fertilizer, seeding mulch, chemicals, weed barrier, edging and erosion control products.

2001

Purchased an erosion control blanket machine for manufacturing straw blankets.

2005

Purchased silt fence machine for manufacturing silt fence.

2006

Began manufacturing EZ Straw Blankets in a retail size for distribution throughout the United States.

2008

Began manufacturing EZ Straw Seeding Mulch for distribution throughout the United States.

2010

Will be launching additional products to add to the EZ Straw line and also will add additional inventory for our Michigan and local delivery customers. Presently one of two remaining family owned and operated seed businesses in Michigan, and one of the few remaining seed businesses in the Midwest.

Thank you for your continued support over the years, looking forward to a busy 2010!!