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Our History
With agricultural
ties deeply rooted within the Brown and Peterson families
dating back to colonial times, it is no wonder that we are
the best at what we do. Several generations later, our
nursery sits on the frost-protecting shoreline of Lake Erie,
in what was once known as the Nursery Capital of the World.
The Brown family staked a place in the Virginia tobacco
industry, with a plantation that produced a popular chewing
tobacco "plug" known as "Brown's Mule Tobacco." The
plantation was eventually sold to the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco
Company, but the "Brown's Mule Plug" is still in existence
today.
The Peterson family provided a strong foundation for our
nursery. Beginning with the arrival of Peter Peterson from
Denmark to the United States in 1884, what is now our
nursery was once a thriving dairy and fruit farm, as well as
a John Deere and Caterpillar Implement dealership. Milk,
potatoes, corn, grapes, peaches, apples and hay were all
grown and harvested, and sold locally and at the market in
Cleveland.
While Janie Peterson worked alongside her parents on the
family farm, Doc Brown began his agricultural career in his
childhood as well, working at both Wayside Gardens and Call
Tree Farm. It was inevitable that their mutual interest in
farming would inspire them to "branch out" after marriage
and build their own business. C.M. Brown and Sons Nursery
began with a handful of rooted cuttings in 1963 under the
careful direction of Doc and Janie; Doc worked elsewhere
outside the home, while Janie stayed home with three
children, but began selling flats and small containers to a
handful of customers in 1970. We eventually evolved into
more than 125 acres of active nursery production, retaining
most of the original property purchased by Peter Peterson
over 100 years ago, as well as acquiring additional property
behind our farm. Well into our sixth generation, our quality
and consistency are what we're most known for, and we
resolve to always be your first choice in the market.
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