Our History
The Begining of Zaiger SA
Our story begins with two visionary nurserymen: Floyd Zaiger from California and Dr Jim Button from the Western Cape.
In the 1960s, Floyd Zaiger founded Zaiger’s Inc. Genetics in Modesto, California. As one of the first private organizations dedicated to breeding new cultivars of stone fruit, they broke new ground in an area traditionally dominated by governmental horticultural research.
Today, the Zaiger family is renowned worldwide for pioneering innovative deciduous fruit varieties that are in high demand across the globe.
Dr. Jim Button
In 1978, Jim Button became the first General Manager of the South African Plant Improvement Organisation (SAPO), established by the three fruit boards – the Deciduous Fruit Board, Dried Fruit Board, and Canning Fruit Board – to enhance the quality of new orchards planted by deciduous fruit farmers. In the early 1980s, Jim travelled extensively to fruit-producing countries, seeking new and improved stone fruit varieties to introduce to South Africa. It was during one of these trips to California that he met Floyd Zaiger, marking the beginning of a fruitful partnership with the Zaiger family.
Chris Goodman
While at SAPO, Jim appointed entomologist Chris Goodman, introducing him to the Zaiger family during a California trip. In 1985, Jim left SAPO to start Rosenhof Nursery and became a director at TopFruit. Chris later joined Stargrow Nursery in Stellenbosch before relocating to Santa Barbara, California.
In 2000, Zaiger SA was established as a partnership between Jim and Chris. As the business grew, the partnership evolved into a close corporation, now trading as “Zaiger SA”.
In 2009, Michael Anderson joined the team to support Jim in strategic management and operational oversight. Chris concentrated on his relationship with the Zaiger family and on keeping up to date with new varieties being bred in Modesto. Michael became an equity partner in 2010, assuming full responsibility for the South African division as Jim retired due to health issues.
Over a remarkable 42-year career, Jim became a respected figure in South African agriculture, recognised as a pioneer in plant genetics. In 2011, he received the inaugural OSH Reinecke Industry Leader Award, and following his sad passing in 2012, the SA Fruit Journal honoured his legacy by highlighting his numerous contributions to the field.
In 2020, Chris sadly passed away unexpectedly in Santa Barbara.
Enrico joined Mike in 2021, and together they oversee every facet of the breeding program, including annual visits to the Zaiger family in California.