History      

 

Our "Roots" Run Deep

Our story began in 1951, when Ed & Vivienne Keeven began installing sod out of Florissant, MO.  As the business grew, the Keevens decided to become growers as well.  The farm that started with 120 acres grew to nearly 400 by 1973, at which point Ed & Viv dissolved the installation business to commit their time solely to growing and selling top quality turf.            

Some of Ed and Viv’s early accomplishments in the St. Louis area include:
  • First to grow "nursery grown" turf by blending three improved varieties of bluegrass
  • First to grow Meyer Z-52 Zoysia on a large scale basis, expanding from 5 to 40 acres in seven years
  • First to utilize an automatic sod harvester and handle sod by the pallet
  • Developed many turf irrigation methods, making their product available all summer long
  • Developed a delivery route system, wholesaling sod to the majority of nurseries and garden centers in St. Louis and surrounding areas

 

Upon retiring in 1984, Ed and Viv sold the business to three of their sons, current owners Ed, Tom, and Jim. Since then Emerald View has grown from a single location producing 400 acres of turf to three locations with over 1600 acres in production. Current locations include the original base location in O’Fallon, MO plus branches in Jefferson City, MO, and Columbia, IL.

Quality is a Family Tradition

Since 1951 our family name has been associated with quality turf.  Ed, Tom, and Jim Keeven are lifelong turf professionals who continually devote themselves to the betterment of the company and the entire turf industry.

Ed Keeven - Served on Board of Directors for American Sod Producers Association (now TPI)

Tom Keeven -  Held various positions with Turf Producers International  from 1995 to 2003:

Board of Directors
Secretary/Treasurer
Vice President
President: 2001-2002.

Tom, Jim, & Ed

It is this type of devotion that keeps us on the cutting edge of turf technology and allows us to deliver you the very best.

Hosts of the American Sod Producers Association (ASPA) 1986 Summer Convention & Field Day