Linnaeus began doing business in 1999 , in the Salinas Valley of Monterey , California .At that time we were primarily a water quality company providing service to the Vineyards & Orchards of the Santa Lucia Highlands .

In 2000 the wine grape industry faced increased water regulations , rising input costs and over saturated markets. Creating the need for what was called at the time, a more “ sustainable” approach to growing - one that would keep costs down and quality high.

It was providential that around this time Linnaeus began offering soil biology testing and interpretation through Elaine Ingram's new entity known then as The Soil Foodweb.

It was through these bioassayes that we began to see the potential that soil biology would have on creating healthy soils , that could increase the soil’s water holding capacity and ability to retain nutrients, while simultaneously improving overall plant resilience that would aid in fighting disease- all of which meant reductions in costs, without loss to quality.

The science behind creating these soil health programs at that time was one of the first revolutions in agriculture that the industry had seen since the 1920’s , and Linnaeus was part of that important and emerging group of visionaries who open the way for what today we know as sustainable farming .