In 1969, A-G Sod Farms was founded from a vision shared by John Addink and two partners. They started small—just four acres, a pickup truck, and a manual sod harvester. It was a humble beginning but one that laid the foundation for what would become a legacy in the sod industry. Fast forward to today, A-G Sod Farms is a thriving operation spanning over 1,500 acres across California and Colorado. The story of A-G Sod is one of perseverance, innovation, and the strength of family leadership, guiding the company through challenges and triumphs over five decades.
As A-G Sod celebrates its 55th anniversary, this feature reflects on its journey from a modest farm to a leader in the sod industry, supported by cutting-edge technology, a dedicated team, and strong partnerships. At the core of the company’s success are its values—hard work, quality, and a deep commitment to its customers and community.
From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leader
In the early days of A-G Sod Farms, John Addink and his two partners worked tirelessly to establish their small sod farm in Northern Colorado. At the time, they only had four acres and relied on a manual sod harvester, which was labor-intensive and slow. Despite these challenges, John’s dedication to quality sod helped the farm gain traction.
In the 1980s, John made a pivotal decision to expand the business to California. This move was not without risk, but it marked the beginning of a significant period of growth for A-G Sod Farms. Today, the company operates four farms across California, with over 1,500 acres, in addition to the original Colorado farm, which now serves Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming.
The company’s growth was driven by a commitment to innovation and meeting customer needs. A-G Sod Farms offers a variety of turf types tailored to the regions they serve, including tall fescue, St. Augustine, and an expanding range of drought-tolerant bermudagrasses like TifTuf. This adaptability has allowed A-G Sod to stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry.
Embracing Innovation to Overcome Industry Challenges
Over the years, A-G Sod Farms has evolved from using manual sod harvesters to state-of-the-art automatic machines, improving efficiency and reducing labor demands. Its adoption of cutting-edge technology has allowed the company to meet the growing demand for high-quality sod across multiple regions. One standout example is A-G’s use of big roll sod and stolon installations for large-scale projects, such as sports fields, parks, and golf courses. These methods allow for faster installation and better results, solidifying its reputation as a trusted provider for municipalities, schools, universities, and other institutions.
A-G Sod Farms has also embraced the growing demand for drought-tolerant grasses, particularly in California, where water restrictions pose significant challenges in lawn care. The introduction of TifTuf, a hybrid bermudagrass known for its drought resilience, exemplifies how the company adapts to address environmental challenges while delivering top-tier products.
In addition to water restrictions, A-G has had its fair share of challenges in the sod farming industry. Navigating labor challenges, the company has implemented the H2A worker program at its Moreno Valley farm since 2022. This initiative has allowed A-G to bring back many of the same workers each year, creating a reliable and skilled workforce that contributes to the company’s continued success.
Through these strategic innovations, A-G Sod Farms continues to lead the way in overcoming industry challenges while maintaining its commitment to excellence.
Leadership Across Generations
While John Addink is a driving force of the company, A-G Sod’s success has been a team effort. Nearly three decades ago, John’s son Joel joined the company, bringing his valuable experience as a CPA and an MBA from the University of Texas. John saw the need for someone to oversee the company’s financials, and Joel was the perfect fit for the role of CFO.
For almost 30 years, John, Joel, and Larry LeMay—the company president who oversees operations—have worked closely to steer the company through its growth and expansion. Together, they’ve navigated industry challenges, ensuring that A-G Sod remains a leader in quality sod production.
The family tradition continues with Joel’s sister, Melanie Maxwell, recently joining the leadership team and Aaron Romero stepping in as the company’s new controller. This transition marks the beginning of a new chapter for A-G Sod Farms as they prepare the next generation of leaders to guide the company into the future.
Commitment to Core Values and Quality
At the heart of A-G Sod Farms’ success is its unwavering commitment to quality and its people. The farm managers and staff at each location play an integral role in maintaining the high standards A-G Sod is known for. As Larry LeMay puts it, “Farming isn’t easy, and when you consider the perishable crop we sell and ship 52 weeks out of the year, you have to have great people to survive and be successful.”
The company’s focus on customer service is another key to its longevity. A-G Sod prides itself on providing excellent support to its customers, whether they are homeowners, landscapers, or large institutions. This dedication has earned the company a reputation for reliability and trustworthiness, ensuring that customers return season after season.
Strong Partnerships and Community Impact
A-G Sod Farms’ has had a mutually valuable relationship with Harmony Brands, that has spanned 14 years. This partnership reflects A-G Sod’s ability to build strong professional relationships while staying true to its core values.
Beyond business, A-G Sod Farms is deeply committed to giving back to the global community. John and his wife, Betty, have instilled in their family a passion for philanthropy, supporting global missions and literacy programs. Every year, the company contributes to funding local pastors and teachers in the countries they serve, emphasizing the importance of education and community development.
Looking Ahead—The Future of A-G Sod Farms
As A-G Sod Farms celebrates 55 years of cultivating success, it remains focused on the future while staying true to its roots. The next generation of leaders is poised to continue the legacy of quality, innovation, and community impact, with succession planning ensuring the company remains a leader in the sod industry for years to come.
With a commitment to sustainable practices, strong partnerships, and a dedicated team, A-G Sod Farms is well-positioned to meet modern challenges. Its journey from a four-acre farm to a multi-state industry leader is a testament to hard work, family leadership, and a steadfast dedication to its core values. Looking ahead, A-G remains committed to delivering quality sod, building strong relationships, and making a positive impact on the community.
A Quick Word From Joel
“I have appreciated the honesty and faith shown by Mike Pope and the Nugent family over the years. Although this is business, they have become friends. So I appreciate the opportunity Mike is giving to fill you in on my health situation.
About a year ago, I was diagnosed with bile duct cancer – a very aggressive form of cancer but hard to detect, so it was in stage 5 already when discovered. Surgery to remove the tumor from my liver was not advised by the doctors. Unfortunately removal surgery is the only sure way to cure bile duct cancer. I underwent 16 chemotherapy sessions with some positive progress but eventually these improvements stagnated and they took me off chemotherapy. I am 59 which seems young for one to consider life or death matters.
I try to “start each day with thankfulness.” Such as having the ability to ski – once you’re at the ski lift “its all downhill from there!” I’ve also been able to take walks, ride my new e-bike,work a shorter schedule, travel to Europe with my wife Shirley plus we visited all three of my kids. Since our three children live in Alaska, Maine and Nebraska that involves a lot of travel!
Along the way, we’ve been encouraged by many friends and industry contacts who support us with their thoughts and prayers. Isaiah 43:1-2 is a promise I cling to – that God says not to fear even though He does not always take away the difficult times. But He promises to walk through those tough times with us. John 16:33 has a similar theme in the words of Jesus. It is in these tough spaces of life we’ve senses that God is walking through the tough times with us through his people praying and caring for us.
With my health conditions deteriorating, we hired Controller Aaron Romero and involved my sister in the business to help take some of my load. Looking forward, I am convinced that God has given me the “ministry of finishing well.” This means not being a grumpy old man when in pain or dropping the ball in areas of responsibility. I’m confident A-G Sod will continue rolling along with success because of the great team we have running the operations, offices and sales efforts.
So please keep me and my family in prayer as we walk through this difficult time.
Check out my blog site at www.athinkingfaith.com
~ Joel Addink
