Harris Moran recently unveiled a new office building at its flagship research station in Davis, California, culminating a three-year makeover of the 120-acre site and ushering in a new generation of innovation.

The 8000 square-foot structure is home to 36 employees including: breeders, lab scientists, lab assistants, and production people for stock seed and foundation seed.

President and COO Bruno Carette said the new building symbolizes Harris Moran's success and commitment to innovation and growth.

"Staffed with the talent we have here, the new and upgraded facilities will serve as a springboard for our continued research efforts. Innovation will emerge daily within these walls and upon these grounds, resulting in better varieties for our customers."

The new building's design - reminiscent of a country schoolhouse and complete with a rooster weather vane - respects the surrounding oak-studded property and remains true to the land's historical heritage.

The office building was the finishing touch of a continuing facelift for the Davis facility. Last Dec. 1, employees moved into four new breeder greenhouses, each 2,520 square feet, total 10,080 square feet. Then on March 1, workers moved into an 8000 square foot support greenhouse, also known as a pathology-cell biology greenhouse. Additionally, a 2000 square foot headhouse has been added. And more than half of the laboratories have been remodeled.

Harris Moran's Davis station is a stone's throw from the University of California, Davis, one of the premiere agricultural schools in the country.

Harris Moran Seed Company is part of the largest independently owned seed company in the world. It is owned by Groupe Limagrain, a French cooperative owned, run, and operated by French farmers.

Harris Moran breeds innovative vegetable varieties designed to boost yield, reduce chemical inputs, and increase freshness, flavor and fruit quality from plow to plate. The Modesto, CA-company breeds vegetables for markets in more than 65 countries.