Sunniland Corp

Sunniland Corporation began as Chase & Company in Sanford, Florida in 1884, serving the local citrus growers by selling fertilizers, growers supplies and crop insurance. Soon after, the company purchased their own groves and became quite successful in selling their crops to northern markets. Seeing the success of the company other growers in the area soon came to Chase & Company to assist them in selling their citrus and Sanford soon became the largest shipping point in the state for oranges.
The Great Freeze of 1894-1895 devastated the Florida citrus industry. The economy of the entire region faltered as growers went bankrupt and the sale of fertilizers and supplies ground to a halt. Sunniland, however, persevered and dedicated itself to restoring the citrus industry in the state.
This dedication, when coupled with integrity and hard work, paid off and the company resumed its pattern of growth, building a new fertilizer plant in 1904. A retail outlet opened soon afterward providing local farmers with baskets, seed, hand tools, shingles, and tar paper.
As the state began to experience its dramatic growth, the changes in emphasis between agricultural and residential fertilizer use became apparent and Sunniland concentrated its efforts on the latter.
While still serving the bulk fertilizer customers – golf courses and growers – Sunniland now retails most of its output in bag form for the homeowner while the early sales of roofing supplies have expanded to some 19 distribution locations across Florida and South Georgia.