Our Story
Our History
In 1946, Pratum, Oregon farmers founded a Co-op to grow prime Willamette Valley grass seed. Pratum Co-op’s grain elevator was a landmark, and Mountain View Seeds varieties reap the benefits of that outstanding farmer network. MVS was created in 1998 to manage mounting seed demand for Pratum’s private variety production.
New Ventures
In 2008, MVS expanded and purchased a majority stake in Peak Plant Genetics, a turfgrass licensing and breeding company.
In 2018, MVS expanded again, creating MVP Genetics and becoming the exclusive worldwide licensor of IronCutter bermudagrass, driving MVP into vegetative warm-season cultivars. We continued to grow our portfolio to include new and unique products that bring value to our partners and the industry.
In 2021, Pinnacle Ag Research Center (PARC) was started in Columbia, MO with a combined 90 years’ experience growing grass, researching, and consulting. Credited with numerous scientific and extension articles and has educated about turf around the world, Dr. Munshaw is passionate about reducing turfgrass inputs and has previously served as the Director of Research for the Alliance for Low-Input Sustainable Turf, a non-profit dedicated to developing improved varieties. The focus of PARC is on turfgrass stress alleviation, testing new genetics, products, and practices to improve turf and soil health.
Ground-Breaking Research
MVP Genetics searches for the best germplasm the world over. Working with Universities and agronomists we expect continual improvement from our proprietary varieties. Our partners demand genetics that perform at a high level to ensure efficient and dependable production systems, not only help them, but benefit the communities around them.
Our Team
Adam Russell
Vice President
The son of two schoolteachers raised near Athens, Georgia, Adam Russell is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s School of Landscape Architecture. He has served the turfgrass industry since 2010, and is currently the Vice President of MVP Genetics, a turfgrass development and licensing division of Salem, OR-based Pratum Cooperative. His work focuses on helping sod producers, distribution seed companies, major turf universities, and industry organizations improve turfgrass genetics. He is Past President of the A-LIST (Alliance for Low-Input Sustainable Turf); Trustee, Board Member, and Past Future Leader Fellow of TPI (Turfgrass Producers International); Georgia SFMA Chapter’s current Commercial Chair, and former board member of ASA (Atlantic Seed Association) & ITODA (International Turf & Ornamental Distributors Association).
He resides in Cumming, Georgia with his wife, Sarah, and their 3 children.
Duane Klundt
Sales/Research
Born in South Dakota before his family moved to Oregon, he had roots in agriculture. Growing up in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, he was familiar with turf from an early age. With over 40 years in the turfgrass industry, he has done a little bit of everything from seed processing, warehousing, product development, and sales. Some of his mentors include innovators like Bill Rose and Dr. Bill Meyer, as well as many of those whose passion for the industry has helped guide him along the way. He has had the pleasure to work with some of the best genetics ever offered in the turfgrass industry and continues to do so in both product development and sales for Mountain View Seeds and MVP Genetics.
He has been a past president of the Oregon Seed Association, Pacific Seed Association, served as chairman of the American Seed Trade Association Seed division, and NTEP, as well as long time board member of Turf Producers International, Atlantic Seed Association, and Oregon Seed Council service advisory committee. Currently serving on the Board of Directors of A-List as Vice-President. His biggest asset though is his family, his wife of 39 years, Dana and his son. These along with his faith, are a big part of his drive and loyalty to the people around him.
Will Schnell
Business Development Manager
Grew up on a 4th generation farm in central Missouri. Where he spent working on the farm growing row crops, Pasture and hay ground and playing sports. Graduated Central Missouri State University where is skills with turf on the Athletic fields, won him a couple national awards for the football surface. After graduating spent 6 years as the head turf manager working in the Eastern league, the Harrisburg Senators, affiliated with Montral Expo’s and Norwich Navigators the Double A team of the NY Yankees, at Norwich he worked with the first Sub air system in Baseball. His first steps toward the major leagues came as the assistant turf manager for the Cleveland Browns, working at both the practice facility in Bera, Ohio and the game field at the old Memorial stadium in Cleveland, Ohio this stadium was home to both the Browns and Indians (the legendary Mistake on the lake). From here he chose to go west to be the head assistant for the LA Dodgers, where it was sunny and shorts weather 365 days a year. Here is where he learned to grow Bermuda grass, on a PAT System designed field with 100 percent sand base. In 2000 he was afforded the “Grand Daddy” of opportunities, the head job at the Rose Bowl stadium, here he finished his career as a turf manager. His working knowledge with Football, Soccer, as well as concerts helped him in growing turf, but his ability to work with organizations like NCAA, NFL, MLS and FIFA molded his work ethic and people skills. In 2021 after retiring from facility manager and farming, he started consulting for MVP Genetics. His faith has kept him grounded and he gives all glory to his lord and savior, Jesus Christ. He loves to share his life experiences with any who ask, and is never afraid to get his hands dirty, his lifelong commitment to turf both above and below the surface makes him welcome wherever he goes, this is what makes him truly genuine.
Our Memberships
Turf Grass Producers International
The first and largest association of its kind, Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) has been serving turfgrass seed and sod farmers, equipment manufacturers, educators, and others in our industry for nearly 60 years.
Sports Field Management Association
SFMA offers continuing education and information to help sports field managers prepare beautiful and safe field surfaces. These educational resources are created in a variety of formats including educational bulletins, podcasts, webinars, videos, DVDs and in-person conference presentations.
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA)
GCSAA is dedicated to serving its members, advancing their profession and improving communities through the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf.