Nassif Burkhuch, formerly President of California Valley Seed Co., announces the formation of a new company, Golden Valley Seed, which has returned the one-time Neuman Seed operation to American hands by acquiring most of the assets of California Valley Seed Co. and Neuman Seed International, Inc. from the French ownership. Mr. Burkhuch and Clark Sarchet, also formerly of California Valley Seed Co., completed the acquisition last September with an effective date of July 1, 1998. "For the present we will continue to operate from the former California Valley Seed facilities," reports Burkhuch, meaning the old Neuman Seed facilities in El Centro, California. "We are very encouraged by how things have gone so far."

Golden Valley Seed essentially carries on what was the California Valley Seed Co. operation and actually owns that name for which it has filed a fictitious name certificate. The company has access to all of the products formerly marketed by California Valley Seed Co. In addition, they are working with independent plant breeders to develop proprietary hybrid varieties to meet specific needs in their primary markets. These include tomatoes, squashes, cucumbers, melons, watermelons, onions and peppers. Golden Valley Seed also owns the brands formerly marketed by California Valley Seed Co., as well as the registreded trademarks which go with them. Consequently, customers ar likely to experience a relatively seamless transition. Says Burkhuch: "I think this change is seed as positive by virtually all of our customers. We have received nothing but positive feedback."

Burkhuch and Sarchet have been working together since 1988. Burkhuch brings to the table over 20 years of seed industry experience along with a Masters Degree in Agriculture Engineering from the American University in Beirut, and Sarchet has over 34 years of experience in agriculture and public accounting. Irene Davila, who runs the office, has been in the seed business for almost 12 years, and Jerry Richardson, the warehouse manager, began with the late Harry Neuman in the early days of the Neuman Seed operation. So, while Golden Valley Seed may technically be the new kid on the block, this is a team with loads of experience working together to meet challenges and serve its customers. "You can't really call us a new company when you see this group of people," remarks Burkhuch. "We have worked together through some tough times and some good times, and that's what builds a team."

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