How the Maring Family Embodies "Grown for Generations"

Syngenta Vegetable Seeds is honoring watermelon farms throughout the United States through its "Grown for Generations" campaign, inspired by those who have dedicated their lives togrowing watermelon for families across America. At the heart of this celebration is the Maring family of Patterson, California, whose century-long farming legacy represents the type of success that can be Grown for Generations.

A Century of Farming Heritage

The Maring family's roots date back to 1924 when the family's 1st generation of farmers immigrated from Germany to California. Now spanning over 100 years in production, the family has built their success through combining traditional farming knowledge with innovative seed technology from Syngenta.

"Most farmers are from farm families because it's kind of a lifetime work-part luck but mostly hard work. Our family, we have eight children, and every one of them is involved in some way in agriculture, so it's been good to our family," reflects Ed Maring, the family patriarch.

Partnership Drives Success

That dedication continues with 3rd generation farmer Matt Maring, who sees their partnership with Syngenta as essential to their ongoing success. "[In] the watermelon business, Syngenta is writing the book on where we're going to go and who's the boss in this business," Matt says.

The Maring family's experience with Syngenta's Valor watermelon variety is a perfect example of success through collaboration, as it allowed them to target the crucial July 4th market when watermelon demand peaks.

"We were trying to get a true 4th of July delivery period, so here we are starting on June 23rd.We'll have a good slug of watermelons for July 4th, which is the biggest moving holiday of the year on watermelons," Matt explains.

Quality That Delivers

"Valor's been great so far. [ ... ] The quality is beautiful. The rind color and the flesh color, very beautiful and contrasting. Everything they claimed it would do, it's doing, so what more can you ask for than that?" Matt's son, and 4th generation farmer, Mark Maring, notes.

Mark has grown up alongside this partnership: "I started my watermelon career with Syngenta. Now here we are eight years later. We're still growing more Syngenta varieties, and I use a conglomerate of Syngenta chemicals and pesticides that work very well. Our partnership with Syngenta has been great."

Heritage Meets Future

For Mark, farming represents both heritage and the future. "It was exciting growing up on the farm. When I was a little kid, I'd go sleep on the couch so my dad wouldn't forget to wake me up and take me to work with him every day," he reminisces. “It's great that I get to work with my dad and my grandfather on a regular basis, and I hope my son one day, or my daughter, wants to continue the legacy."

Celebrating Collaboration 

The Maring family's story celebrates how grit, commitment, and collaboration between growersand partners like Syngenta create the type of success that truly can be Grown for Generations.

Learn more about Grown for Generations and discover how Syngenta's innovative watermelon varieties support generational farming operations here.

All photos are either the property of Syngenta or used with permission.

© 2025 Syngenta. Some or all of the varieties may be protected under one or more of the following: Plant Variety Protection, United States Plant Patents and/or Utility Patents and may not be propagated or reproduced without authorization. The trademarks or service marks displayed or otherwise used herein are the property of a Syngenta Group Company.