Slater, Iowa
November 20,  2001

Garst Seed Company officials announce the hiring of Scott Hart as Soybean Product Manager for the company.

"As we come out with a substantial number of new soybean products and continue to grow our presence in the market, I am very excited to announce that Scott Hart has been selected to be our Soybean Product Manager," says Gene Kassmeyer, Product Manager for Garst Seed Company.
"Scott brings a very diverse career in agronomy and seed production into his new role as soybean product manager."

In his new role, Hart will manager the soybean product range for the Garst, AgriPro, Gutwein and PSA brands as well as work with the company's AgriPro Soybean Research and Breeding program located in Ames, Iowa.

Hart has worked for Garst since 1993. During those years, he has held a wide range of positions and responsibilities, especially in the technical and agronomic aspects of the seed industry. Most recently, he served as an Area Sales Agronomist for Garst in central, east central, southern and western Iowa.

Hart also has extensive experience in conducting product training for sales personnel, customers and technology partners. He is a Corporate CCA (Certified Crop Advisor) trainer, as well as an active member in the CCA and CPAg (Certified Professional Agronomist) programs.

Hart is also active within several seed industry organizations and committees and also serves on several company task forces. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, is a native of Coon Rapids, Iowa and is the son of Richard and Joan Hart.

Scott, wife Tricia and their five-year-old son, Logan, live in Grimes, Iowa. In his free time, Scott enjoys boating, hunting, fishing, skiing and spending time with his family. Scott and Logan are also featured in the company's 2002 national advertising campaign, appearing in the "Commitment" magazine advertisement and outdoor billboard campaigns.

Hart will be based in the company's Slater, Iowa corporate and research headquarters location.

Garst Seed Company is the largest member of the Advanta group of companies. With corporate and research headquarters in Iowa, Garst is a key component of an expansive worldwide Advanta seed technology network that includes research, development and breeding facilities in 13 U.S. states and in 12 countries around the world. Thus, Garst and its worldwide sister companies employ thousands of technical staff to advance plant breeding, genetics and seed production - all with one goal in mind - to offer real benefits to farmers and help them succeed in their business of feeding the world. For more information about Garst Seed Company, visit their web site at www.garstseed.com or call 1-888-Go-Garst for the name and number of your local Garst ProSeller.

Company news release
N3970