Great Lakes Growers’ roots in growing run deep. Founder and Owner, John Bonner, grew up on the family farm in Burton, Ohio among 30 acres of corn, soybeans, and greenhouses. His grandfather started Burton Floral and Garden, the Midwest’s largest horticultural supply distributor. John’s father worked there, eventually forming Dillen Products and growing it into a top supplier of plastic containers for the plant industry.

Growing up around these companies, John learned the ins and outs of the industry. Bolstering that knowledge with a B.A. in Business Administration, he successfully ran the family greenhouse operation for six years. In 2008, Greenhouse Grower magazine called him “one to watch” for his progressive approach to production and sustainable energy. Crain’s Cleveland Business followed suit, including John and his sister in their 2009 “40 Under 40” class.

In 2011, John left the family greenhouse to start a new kind of hydroponic growing operation. With wheelbarrow loads of hard work and innovative thinking, the Great Lakes Growers company we know and love today was born.

Along with lettuces and parsley root, they grow a variety of herbs: sweet basil, chives, cilantro, dill, mint, rosemary, sage, and thyme.