ISU Alum's Company, Survival Garden Seeds, Named Pacific Northwest Region Rural Small Business of the Year

Recently, the U.S. Small Business Administration crowned Survival Garden Seeds the 2026 Pacific Northwest Region Rural Small Business of the Year at a ceremony in Boise, Idaho. The award recognizes a business located in a rural community in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska that demonstrates exceptional performance and growth. Companies are evaluated on their support for the local workforce, financial performance, commitment to the community, and staying power.  

“I didn't expect to get nominated,” said Jason Spahr, founder of Survival Garden Seeds. “We're putting our head down, focusing on our customers, providing a good product, and I guess, as you do that, and you have growth, people start to notice. It just is kind of one of those confidence builders that we're doing something right here in rural Idaho.”

“I’ve been thoroughly impressed by the success of the Survival Garden Seeds on so many fronts in such a relatively short period of time,” said Dave Noack, regional director of the Eastern Idaho Small Business Development Center, who nominated Survival Garden Seeds for the award. “Jason is very disciplined and a prime example of entrepreneurship in action. One thing that really impressed me about him is how humble, teachable, and willing to learn he is. I have personally worked with close to 4,000 companies over the past 30 years, and I have rarely seen this level of entrepreneurial focus.” 

Based in Rigby, Idaho, Survival Garden Seeds was “founded with the hope of bringing a sense of stability and peace of mind to everyone we can in an affordable and practical way–by empowering more people to grow a garden” by selling non-GMO and heirloom seeds. Started in the Spring 2020, the company initially sold 30 varieties of seeds through its website and Amazon. Survival Garden Seeds capitalized on the renewed interest in gardening sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic, and since then, they’ve expanded to offer more than 400 seed varieties. Survival Garden Seeds products can now be found on the shelves of nearly 80 farm and ranch stores and at roughly 3,500 Walmart locations. 

“That trend has not slowed down,” Spahr said. “I think it's something that’s here to stay. Every day I talk to somebody new who says, ‘I haven't gardened for years, now I’m getting back into it, ' or ‘My wife and I are going to plant one this year.’”

Spahr is a second-generation Bengal, following in his father's footsteps and earning a bachelor’s in accounting from Idaho State in 2001.

“I had a great time with the professors and learned a lot,” said Spahr. “I feel like it gave me a great foundation for what I'm doing with my entrepreneurial career.”

After earning his degree, he briefly worked as a certified public accountant before starting a real estate investment business in Arizona. In 2008, he founded AZ Mattress Outlet from his garage, and in 2009, Spahr moved to Idaho and started Idaho Mattress Outlet, which eventually grew to six stores, including locations in Utah. In 2014, he ventured into e-commerce and bedding and mattress products with TRU Lite Bedding. He’s since exited the world of sleep to focus solely on Survival Garden Seeds. Across his various ventures, he’s maintained ties to Idaho State. He has utilized students pursuing their MBA to work on projects such as market analysis, business modeling, and more through the applied business solutions course. 

“ISU has been a great backbone to rely on with different student teams who've worked with me through the years, not just in the seed business but also previously,” Spahr said. “It's been a lot of good fun, and we've actually implemented some of those ideas that the teams have come up with.”

“Consultation projects allow students to put into action the skillsets learned in classes,” said Neil Tocher, professor and chair of the management and marketing department at ISU. “Students show off their skills in a fun, but real setting. The best thing about a consultation course is that students get to see how their skills, knowledge, and personal interactions can help a business survive and grow. The experience helps students realize that business education is valuable and will help them get jobs, earn money, and make a difference.”

Looking ahead, Spahr says he’s excited about the continued growth of Survival Garden Seeds and possibly passing it on to his three sons. In the meantime, he’d like to encourage anyone looking to start a business to take the leap.

“Take every moment to learn and cherish, and enjoy the journey,” Spahr said. “Bring joy to those around you and lift their lives. If you can do that, the more people you can help, the better off you're gonna be in reaching your goals.”

For more information on ISU’s College of Business, visit isu.edu/cob.