Founded in Ketchum, Idaho in 1985 by John and Lola Weyman, Zürsun Idaho Heirloom Beans is one of America’s longest-standing suppliers of heirloom beans and lentils, along with select grains sourced from around the world. These heritage crops are typically grown on small family farms, many in Idaho’s Snake River Canyon region, and are valued for their integrity, flavor, and consistency—qualities that distinguish them from conventional, mass-market varieties.

The Snake River Canyon of south-central Idaho, known as the Magic Valley growing region, offers ideal conditions for bean production. Its arid climate, rich and well-drained loamy soils, moderate temperatures, and stable moisture levels are internationally recognized for producing clean, distinctly flavorful beans.

In 2004, Zürsun was acquired by Jim Soran, a second-generation bean industry professional with deep family roots in Idaho agriculture. Under Jim’s leadership, the company strengthened its focus on field inspection, varietal purity, and careful handling from harvest through cleaning. Working closely with growers, Jim helped build Zürsun’s reputation for delivering exceptionally clean, high-quality heirloom beans and for maintaining the standards established by the company’s founders.

Today, Zürsun Idaho Heirloom Beans is owned by Farmer Bean & Seed, LLC, a dry bean company with more than twenty years of experience in the domestic and export wholesale bean trade. Farmer Bean & Seed brings operational scale, sourcing expertise, and long-standing grower relationships to the Zürsun brand, while maintaining its emphasis on quality, varietal integrity, and careful handling. Under current ownership, Zürsun continues to operate with the same attention to product excellence, supported by the broader capabilities and infrastructure of Farmer Bean & Seed.