Golden Harvest Seeds, Inc. has elected new officers to lead the brand into the next Millennium, says Jim Shearl, Golden Harvest Executive Vice President.

Bill Werner of Golden Seed Co. L.L.C., is appointed President of the Board of Directors and Jim Sommer of Sommer Bros. Seed Co. assumes the duty of Vice President.

At the same time, Golden Harvest also welcomes two new members to its Board. Doug Robinson of The J.C. Robinson Seed Co. replaces Ed Robinson on the Board, and joins as Secretary. Kevin Thorp of Thorp Seed Co. replaces the President Emeritus Lester Thorp, as a Director. Doug Garwood, Garwood Seed Co. retains his position as treasurer.

"This new Board is putting an emphasis on dealing with dramatic change in the seed industry," says Shearl. "The way business is handled in agriculture is changing everyday, and the challenges ahead for this Board are great. But the aggressiveness Golden Harvest has shown in the last 25 years lays the foundation for this brand to continue as the fastest growing seed brand in the United States.

"In 1972, Golden Harvest began from scratch. Through aggressive and sound leadership, we have grown to be one of the top four seed companies in the country. The remarkable thing is we have done this while maintaining our family ownership."

The new Board Members assume management responsibilities of the seed brand effective October 1, 1998.

The Golden Harvest brand of hybrid corn, soybeans, sorghum and alfalfa is produced and marketed by five family-owned and managed seed companies serving farmers throughout the U.S.
Corn Belt, Europe, South America and Canada. These five companies share research and marketing resources nationally, while continuing to offer the nearby service that is the heart of the
seed industry.

Company news release
N1970