Growing Strong for over 90 years

GROWING STRONG FOR NEARLY A CENTURY

RHINO SEED COWBELL HISTORY

1930

A Seed Company Is Born

Hilbert Seed was established August 16, 1930, and the name was changed in 1948 to Cowbell Seeds. The company business consisted of buying clover seed, cleaning it for a fee and returning it to the farmer, or cleaning it and reselling it in the corn belt for rotating crops. One year the quarter would be planted to corn, the next year it would be planted to clover to replace the nitrogen in the soil that was taken out by corn production.

1930

1960

Turf Takes Root

Our first year in the turfgrass business. Blending turfgrass for the interstate highway systems, sod farms, landscapers.

1960

1988

Lawn Patch Hits the Market

We developed Lawn Patch, a product for repairing bare spots in lawns. Selling first to our wholesale customers and then developing a business selling to home owners through mass merchants, hardware stores, etc.

1988

1998

A Fresh Name, A Bigger Vision

Sold Lawn Patch to US Home and Garden. Ken Hilbert, John Hilbert and Omer Messer retired. Scott Hilbert retained the turf distribution business in Brighton and Bradley. The Amturf/Ampro names went in the sale because Lawn Patch was licensed throughout the US as Amturf Lawn Patch. Scott Hilbert decided on the name of Rhino Seed and Turf Supply. This company mixed turfgrass, and sold related products such as fertilizer, seeding mulch, chemicals, weed barrier, edging and erosion control products.

1998

2001

Straw Blanket Manufacturing Begins

Purchased an erosion control blanket machine for manufacturing straw blankets.

2001

2005

Adding Silt Fence to the Mix

Purchased silt fence machine for manufacturing silt fence.

2005

2006

EZ-Straw® Goes Retail

Began manufacturing EZ Straw Blankets in a retail size for distribution throughout the United States. Carson Hilbert joins company.

2006

2008

EZ-Straw® Seeding Mulch Goes National

Launched EZ-Straw®, Rhino Seed’s flagship line of premium straw-based solutions designed to improve seed establishment, moisture retention, and erosion control.

2008

2010

EZ-Straw® Lawn Repair Mix Launches

Launched EZ Straw Lawn Repair Mix in 28# and 11# sizes.

2010

2012

Better Products, Bigger Production

Retooled our manufacturing processes expanding production. Launched EZ Straw Lawn Repair Mix, a product that works even better than the original Lawn Patch.

2012

2013

From Ice to Turf, Andrew Hilbert Joins the Team

Andrew Hilbert joins Rhino after retiring from the NHL.

2013

2014

Remembering Fred Hilbert, Founder

Launched EZ Straw Wildflowers and EZ Straw Mulch Small Bale. Fred Hilbert, founder, passes away at 101 years of age.

2014

2015

MDOT Approves EZ-Straw® with Tack

EZ Straw® Mulch with Tack is MDOT approved.

2015

2017

EZ-Straw® Deer Forage Goes National

Our newest product, EZ Straw® Deer Forage becomes available nationally.

2017

2019

EZ-Straw® Decorative Bale Debuts

Based on high demand, EZ-Straw Decorative Bale is launched for fall displays.