Agriculture Acquisitions in California

Pike Street Capital has made a growth investment in Bennett West, LLC (operating as Bennett), a Selma, California-based provider of water infrastructure, plant health services, and energy solutions for growers, municipalities, and industrial customers. Founder/CEO Tyler Bennett retains a significant ownership stake and will continue to lead the company as Pike Street provides growth capital and operational support to expand geographically, broaden capabilities, and pursue a buy-and-build strategy.

Bonsai Robotics, a San Jose–based developer of vision-based autonomy for agriculture, has acquired farm-ng, a Watsonville, California maker of modular electric robots for farm management. The deal combines Bonsai’s autonomous AI and perception capabilities with farm-ng’s hardware platform to accelerate development of integrated, AI-first agricultural machines; financial terms were not disclosed.

Taylor Farms, the family-owned North American producer of ready-to-eat salads, has acquired the business of FarmWise, an agricultural robotics company known for its Vulcan precision weeder. The acquisition is intended to accelerate Taylor Farms' adoption of precision ag technology, ensure continuity for FarmWise Vulcan customers, and advance sustainable farming and automation capabilities.

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, owned by the Antinori family, has acquired the 135-acre Arcadia Vineyard (84 planted acres) in the Coombsville AVA from Arcadia Vineyards LLC (the Winiarski family). The purchase reunites the vineyard with Stag's Leap's estate holdings and furthers the winery's goal of becoming 100% estate-grown while preserving the property's natural habitat.

FarmQA, a Fargo-based digital agronomy platform, has acquired Farm Dog, an agricultural data platform and former wholly owned subsidiary of Deveron Corporation. The deal transfers Farm Dog's data technology to FarmQA to expand its agronomic capabilities, soil testing focus, and global ag‑tech impact.

Jackrabbit Equipment Inc., a portfolio company of Midwest Growth Partners, has merged with Exact Corporation to create an integrated solutions provider for the permanent crop (nut) harvesting industry. The combined business will market both Jackrabbit and Exact brands, with Exact CEO Doug Flora named CEO of the merged entity, and will focus on product innovation, expanded customer support and growth in domestic and international markets.

Strategic Sourcing International (SSI), the parent company of PRO*ACT and other produce-focused subsidiaries, has acquired Your*Way Fresh, a Monterey-based fresh produce sourcing and supply-chain company. The acquisition is intended to create synergies with SSI’s existing portfolio (including PRO*ACT, PRO*FRESH Logistics and PRO*FRESH Sourcing) and expand SSI’s produce sourcing, processing, packaging and logistics capabilities.

SiteOne Landscape Supply has acquired a majority stake in Devil Mountain Wholesale Nursery, a leading wholesale distributor of landscape trees and plants in California. The deal gives SiteOne a platform to expand its nursery product offering and geographic presence in the Western United States while Devil Mountain CEO Drew McMillan remains as president.

Pfingsten's portfolio company Fairbank Equipment, Inc. has acquired Big W Sales, Inc., a Stockton, California-based distributor and manufacturer of agricultural parts, trailers, tanks and equipment. The transaction, which closed on January 2, 2024, expands Fairbank's footprint into California and broadens the combined group's distribution and manufacturing capabilities across the western United States; Big W's leadership will remain as shareholders and continue operating the business.

Huma Inc. has acquired the technological assets and ownership rights of Gro-Power, Inc., giving Huma entry into the granular, humic-based fertilizer market and expanding its turf & ornamental product portfolio. The deal preserves Gro-Power’s legacy products and adds granular fertilizer and soil conditioner technologies to Huma’s existing liquid nutrient and specialty product lines; terms were not disclosed.

Frutura, a California-based global fruit sales and marketing platform, has acquired Chicago-based Sun Belle and Santiago-headquartered Giddings Fruit to accelerate its berry capabilities and establish a near 52-week supply of premium berries and cherries. Founders Janice Honigberg (Sun Belle) and Julio Giddings (Giddings Fruit) will remain in leadership roles and join Frutura's board to support integration and global expansion.

AM FRESH Group has agreed to acquire International Fruit Genetics (IFG) and merge it with Special New Fruit Licensing (SNFL), creating an integrated table grape and cherry breeding platform. The combined business will be majority‑controlled by AM FRESH with significant minority investment from EQT Future and continued investment/reinvestment from Paine Schwartz Partners to accelerate R&D, broaden gene pools and scale varietal commercialization.

Hiphen has acquired SlantRange, combining Hiphen's analytics and strong European presence with SlantRange's patent portfolio and growing U.S. customer base to form a global provider of remote sensing, computer vision, and AI-driven crop measurement and prediction solutions. The combined business will operate under the Hiphen brand and aims to accelerate delivery of analytic tools to crop science companies and agricultural enterprises worldwide.

Heartwood Partners LLC has acquired NativeSeed Group, a vertically integrated provider of native seeds and erosion control products headquartered in Carpinteria, California, from founder Victor Schaff. Heartwood said it will partner with the existing management team to expand the business organically and via strategic add-on acquisitions to grow geography and customer types.

CropX Technologies acquired California-based Tule Technologies to add Tule’s canopy-based evapotranspiration sensing and precision-irrigation data capture to the CropX Agronomic Farm Management System. The deal expands CropX’s capabilities for drip-irrigated specialty crops (vineyards, tree-nuts) and brings all Tule employees into CropX’s team to support enhanced AI-driven irrigation recommendations in California.

AgriFORCE Growing Systems Ltd. entered a binding letter of intent to acquire a 70% equity stake in Berry People LLC for a total purchase price of $28.0 million (approximately $18.2M cash and $9.8M in restricted shares), with potential earnouts over five years. The deal is intended to bolster AgriFORCE's Brands division, expand distribution and vertical integration in fresh berries, and realize commercial synergies with its UN(THINK) business and other partners.

Ever.Ag, an AgTech provider based in Frisco, Texas, has acquired Dalex, a longtime provider of animal feed ration formulation software, to expand its on-farm nutrition and feed-cost management capabilities. Dalex's nutrition technology and team will be integrated into Ever.Ag's growing suite of solutions to provide end-to-end visibility and tools for livestock and dairy producers.

Merck Animal Health agreed to acquire Vence, a developer of virtual fencing and livestock management technology, from Vence's founders and shareholders. The acquisition (terms undisclosed) expands Merck Animal Health's animal intelligence and precision livestock management capabilities and was expected to close in the third quarter of 2022.

DECCO, the post-harvest business of UPL Ltd., has acquired the business of TeleSense, a provider of remote monitoring sensors and an AI platform for stored grain and other crops. The acquisition integrates TeleSense’s sensor and AI capabilities into DECCO’s post‑harvest product portfolio and UPL’s OpenAg network to reduce food waste and strengthen supply‑chain monitoring.

Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp. completed an all-stock merger with Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc., with MBI becoming ProFarm as a wholly owned subsidiary of Bioceres. The deal brings MBI’s portfolio of biological crop protection, crop-health and nutrition products and pipeline to Bioceres, expanding its sustainable agricultural solutions and global footprint. MBI stockholders approved the merger and certain corporate functions and headquarters consolidation will be assumed by Bioceres.

Everde Growers, a privately owned grower headquartered in Houston, announced the acquisition of La Verne Nursery, Inc., a 100-acre nursery in Piru, California, expected to close by July 1, 2022. The deal expands Everde's edible plant offering (stone fruit, citrus and tropical fruit), adds La Verne's propagation and grafting expertise to Everde's platform, and integrates the location with Everde's other farm sites.

Bowery Farming has acquired Traptic, a robotics and computer-vision startup that builds 3D vision-guided robotic harvesters for delicate fruiting and vine crops. Bowery will integrate Traptic’s technology and team into its BoweryOS and robotics organization to accelerate commercialization and scale harvesting of strawberries, tomatoes and other fruiting crops across its indoor farms.

TriCal Soil Solutions, part of the TriCal Group, has acquired Landmark Irrigation, a full-service agricultural irrigation dealer headquartered in Madera, California, from Prospect Partners. Landmark—operating seven retail locations across California and Arizona and led by Russ Spain and Gene Blocher—will continue to operate under its existing management as part of the TriCal portfolio; Meridian Capital served as Landmark’s advisor on the deal.

Solum Partners has purchased a majority stake in Monte Vista Farming Company, a California-based almond huller, sheller and processor. The investment provides capital for Monte Vista to expand operations, invest in technology and strengthen its balance sheet while CEO Jonathan Hoff and the Hoff family remain involved as investors.

GrowGeneration Corp. acquired Mendocino Greenhouse and Garden Supply, a hydroponic garden center in Mendocino, California, expanding GrowGen's footprint in Northern California's Emerald Triangle. The Mendocino store's eight employees joined GrowGen's team and founder Nick Halfacre will remain as General Manager; the location is expected to generate over $8 million in annual sales.

Juggernaut Capital Partners has made an investment in Atlas Vineyard Management, a Napa-based provider of vineyard development, farming, grape sales and viticulture services serving California, Oregon and other U.S. wine regions. The investment positions Juggernaut to expand its presence and adjacencies in the wine industry leveraging Atlas's proprietary data-driven viticulture practices and experienced management team.

Hydrofarm Holdings Group, Inc. agreed to acquire House & Garden, Inc. and affiliated entities for approximately $125 million, funded with existing cash, with the acquired businesses becoming wholly owned indirect subsidiaries. The acquisition expands Hydrofarm's branded nutrients portfolio (including the House & Garden and Mad Farmer brands), with House & Garden expected to generate about $55 million in 2021 net sales and the deal valuing the business at under 7x estimated 2021 adjusted EBITDA.

Hydrobuilder Holdings LLC, a PE-backed omni-channel retailer of hydroponics and specialty agriculture supplies, has acquired Elevated Equipment Supply, a Los Angeles-based commercial hydroponic superstore and distribution center. The acquisition expands Hydrobuilder's distribution footprint and commercial capabilities, adding approximately 75,000 square feet of warehouse space to its omni-channel platform.

Proagrica, part of RELX, has acquired CDMS, a long-standing provider of crop input label data and compliance services. The acquisition adds CDMS's manufacturer‑approved label database and compliance engine to Proagrica’s agronomy and analytics offerings to strengthen compliance, product‑stewardship capabilities and support geographic expansion.

Incline Equity Partners’ portfolio company BFG Supply has acquired L&L Nursery Supply to expand BFG’s distribution footprint and product offering across the Western United States. The acquisition strengthens BFG’s capabilities in the green industry (professional horticulture, lawn & garden and controlled-environment agriculture) and extends its reach into key Western markets.

Lisbon-based Rovensa has acquired Oro Agri, Inc., a Fresno, California-based leader in bio-rational crop protection and adjuvant technology. The deal expands Rovensa's product portfolio and helps establish a stronger presence in North America while combining marketing, sales and R&D capabilities across the combined businesses.

Ahern Agribusiness, a San Diego–based vegetable seed distributor focused on Mexico and Central America, was acquired by an Israeli investment group led by Tene Investment Funds and Pulse Agri Investments. The new owners plan to expand Ahern’s product portfolio, add AI-powered technologies and advanced biological inputs to accelerate growth; CEO Kevin Ahern will remain in his role.

GrowGeneration Corp. acquired the assets and product portfolio (including the Power SI brand) of Southern California-based Canopy Crop Management. The acquisition brings founder Rex Gill and proprietary silicic acid formulations into GrowGen as the company pursues private label product development and expanded product offerings for its hydroponic retail chain.

Devil Mountain Wholesale Nursery, a San Ramon, California-based wholesale nursery, has acquired BrightView Tree Company of Fillmore, California. The acquisition (terms undisclosed) expands Devil Mountain's footprint into Southern California, adds approximately 800 acres of growing grounds and new product lines (including Swan Hill Olives), and supports its goal of becoming a larger, more comprehensive landscape plant provider in the Western U.S.

On October 9, 2020 Medtainer, Inc. completed an exchange agreement with California-based Advanced Container Technologies, Inc. (ACT) under which ACT shareholders exchanged their ACT shares for 50,000,000 shares of Medtainer, making ACT a wholly owned subsidiary. Following the transaction Medtainer changed its corporate name to Advanced Container Technologies, Inc. and agreed that ACT holds an exclusive U.S. distributorship for GP Solutions’ insulated, food-grade grow-container products.

Gerawan Farming Inc. and Wawona Packing Co., LLC completed a merger to create a larger, combined stone-fruit growing and packing platform, with Paine Schwartz (an existing investor in Wawona) partnering to facilitate the transaction. Dan Gerawan will lead the combined company as the largest individual shareholder and CEO, while Brent Smittcamp remains a significant shareholder and engaged executive.

Grow West, a Northern California agricultural retailer based in Roseville, has acquired the assets of Clark Trucking Service, Inc. of West Sacramento to expand its vertically integrated trucking and fresh-food hauling capabilities. DCA Partners advised Grow West on the transaction, which integrates the family-owned Clark Trucking into Grow West Trucking's operations to broaden services for regional growers.

All States Ag Parts, a portfolio company of Kinderhook Industries, acquired John F. Mahaney Company, a Sacramento-based distributor of professional-grade tools and farm/industrial supplies. The transaction is an add-on for ASAP that expands its retail footprint into California, strengthens its wholesale capabilities and adds manufacturing capability for Mahaney’s Red Rooster Tools brand.

Nutrien has acquired Actagro, a developer, manufacturer and marketer of environmentally sustainable soil and plant health products, from Norwest Equity Partners. The acquisition (announced February 5, 2019 and closed March 15, 2019) expands Nutrien’s product portfolio and R&D capabilities to support crop nutrient efficiency and soil health solutions distributed through its retail channels.

Wheatsheaf Group Limited, through its wholly owned food-safety subsidiary TriStrata Group, has acquired a 90% stake in Purfresh, a provider of controlled-atmosphere systems and cloud-based cold-chain monitoring for refrigerated ocean shipping containers. The acquisition will provide funding to accelerate global rollout of Purfresh's Intellipur monitoring software and atmosphere technologies to reduce spoilage and improve food safety in perishable cargo shipments.

Arable Capital Partners, via its newly formed platform Laurel Agriculture + Water Solutions (Laurel Ag), has acquired US Irrigation, a Bakersfield, California-based irrigation design and rental services provider. The bolt-on expands Laurel Ag’s precision water and irrigation capabilities across California and Arizona and brings US Irrigation’s founder Jon Tkac onto the Laurel Ag executive team.