The Seeds that Grew Chandler and the East Valley

Join Chandler Museum and Chandler Public Library for the second presentation in the Our Stories speaker series called, History Found in the Land (January through March 2018). If it weren’t for the seed industry there wouldn’t be a city of Chandler. Chandler Museum Curator of Collections Nate Meyers digs into this curious statement, exploring how Chandler’s roots grew from the seed of the Michigan-based Ferry Seed Company’s quest to cultivate drought resistant alfalfa in Arizona. Town founder Dr. Alexander J. Chandler arrived in Arizona in 1887 on a mission to acquire land for the seed company to grow alfalfa. Soon an agricultural empire of alfalfa, cotton, sugar beets, citrus, and more blossomed in the desert, revolutionizing the agricultural industry and laying the groundwork for the modern city we call home today. This program is part of Sunset Library's Spring Seed Swap event. Photo courtesy of ChandlerpediA. More information on this talk, as well as other Chandler Museum programs, can be found at chandlermuseum.org The Our Stories speaker series hosts speakers throughout the year to provide expert insight into the history of Chandler, the Valley and Arizona. Presentations in this series are presented by the Chandler Museum at Chandler Public Library, with support from Chandler Historical Society and the Friends of the Chandler Public Library, in an effort to bring arts, history and culture to Chandler residents and visitors.