A well-known seed and nursery company in Shenandoah is closing after more than one-hundred years in business. The Henry Field Seed and Nursery will close in late December, putting about 30 full-time employees out of work. Another 20 “seasonal” workers were on the payroll. The parent company, Foster and Gallager of Illinois, will move Henry Field’s operations to facilities it owns in South Dakota and Missouri. Dan Offenburger, the executive vice president of the Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association says it’s the end of an era.Offenburger says Earl May remains in town as a solid leader in seed sales, he says losing Henry Field does make him pause to think about where they are going in the future.The closing must have come as a surprise for Henry Field’s employees and managers. An ad looking for more seasonal workers appeared in the local newspaper this week. Henry Field opened his business in Shenandoah in 1892.
