 De Jong Greenhouses was founded by Martin
J. De Jong. He started in the greenhouse business with two cousins,
Ike and Bert Hoksbergen, at North Pella Greenhouse. However, Martin
became disabled by polio and had to withdraw from the North Pella
operation.
In 1933, at age 35, Martin's health had improved. Pursuing his love
for growing plants he built one small greenhouse next to his family
home on West 2nd St. in Pella. Soon after he opened a flower and
seed store in the downtown business area.
Three of Martin's sons, Albert, Bill and Charles, were active in
the store and greenhouse. In 1954, Albert was forced to give up management
involvement due to health problems. At that time, Charles took control
of the store, and De Jong Greenhouses was born as Bill began ope rating
a stand-alone growing operation.
Bill's sincere love for growing flowers helped give his Company
a reputation for providing high quality products. This high quality
combined with integrity and hard work, enabled De Jong's to grow
and prosper.
De Jong Greenhouses incorporated in 1958. Greeve's Greenhouses in
Oskaloosa, was purchased in 1971. Extensive remodeling to the Greeve's
greenhouse took place and expansion of the Company facilities was
focused on that property. Atone time, the Oskaloosa greenhouse facility
was largely devoted to the production of cut roses. However, South
American roses and changes in the market place, made it necessary
to eliminate the rose program in the early 1990's. Subsequently,
the Oskaloosa facility was renovated for the production of pot plants.
 Bill's
son Mark joined the Company in 1969 after graduating from Drake University.
In 1971, Bill's son-in-law, Dennis G Van Gorp joined the Company
after attending the University of Iowa. At this time, he and Mary
De Jong, Mark's wife, took over the bookkeeping for the Company from
Bea De Jong, Bill's wife. Bea had served as partner, bookkeeper and
homemaker for Bill throughout the formative years of the Company.
In 1999, a buy/sell provision was exercised and Mark became sole
owner of De Jong's.
 By the mid-1980's both the Pella and Oskaloosa locations were built
full and land locked by neighbors. Consequently, in 1988 a "new beginning"
was launched when construction began at the Fifield Road property
in Pella. Thirty thousand square feet of greenhouses were built with
the primary goal of consolidating all of the Company's pot mum production.
An adjoining service building was also erected. Stage two of the
project was started in 1991. More greenhouses were built for the
purpose of staging finished products from various locations. The
service building was also enlarged to accommodate direct sales, truck
loading, and office functions. the move to the much-needed new office
space took place in January of 1992. Since that time, all new construction
has taken place at the Fifield Road location.
De Jong Greenhouses has been blessed with many years of success.
This is largely due to the diligent work of its employees, both past
and present. We look forward to growing with you, as we face the
changes and challenges of the future. |
