spotlight

Sylvan Bioproducts Inc.

Sylvan's unique spawn-making technology is centered around their ability to grow microorganisms on solid-substrates in a sterile environment. Their experience with this technology lends itself to a variety of commercial microbial applications beyond the production of mushroom spawn, such as the manufacture of biopesticides, secondary metabolites, nutraceuticals, and specialized mushrooms. Sylvan's solid-substrate fermentation process has application in many industries presently utilizing liquid fermentation. The solid-substrate process has the advantage of producing spore-forming organisms or secondary metabolites. Sylvan currently has one Biopesticide registered with the US EPA, Smolder™, a bio-herbicide for control of dodder in cranberry bogs, alfalfa seed production and carrots. They are working with other companies seeking registration, as a development and manufacturing partner. Sylvan Bioproducts’ primary contact is Mr. Gary Walker, President who can be reached at 724-543-3900 or gdwalker@sylvaninc.com. Their website can be viewed at www.sylvanbio.com.

BOB HOLM

Robert (Bob) Holm retired from IR-4 as Executive Director on January 1, 2007 after serving in that capacity since the fall of 1998. He is currently doing limited consulting for the crop protection industry as well as serving on the EPA's Pesticide Program Advisory Committee and as a member of the Meister Media Worldwide Crop Protection Handbook Advisory Board. Prior to joining IR-4, Bob served in a number of crop protection industry scientific and management positions at Valent USA Corporation ( Director of Development and Vice President of Technology), Rhone-Poulenc Ag Company (Director of Field Research and Product Development and Director of Agrochemical Sciences), Mobil Chemical Company (Manager of R&D Department and Head of Biological Testing and Exploratory Biology), and Diamond Shamrock Corporation (Senior Plant Physiologist and Senior Research Associate). Bob has 64 referenced publications in technical journals and book chapters, presented over 70 papers at scientific and professional society meetings, given talks at over 300 various agriculture meetings, and has 5 issued patents. He obtained his BS in Agricultural Sciences and MS and Ph.D. in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry from Purdue University. He was elected to the IR-4 Hall of Fame in 2006.

WOODSTREAM CORPORATION

Woodstream Corporation provides natural solutions for the home, lawn and garden. Our"Safer"products range from Innovative bag traps to garden fungicides to powerful organic insecticides. Woodstream "Havahart" products provide wild annimal traps and deterrents. For the oganic gardener, Woodstream has "Havahart" OMRI certifided deer and rabbit repellant products.

Can Test

CANTEST provides professional analytical testing services and consultation for companies, governments and individuals in support of environmental, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, food safety and industrial hygiene projects. The company is committed to becoming the premier Life Sciences company in North America - enhancing personal health through exceptional science.

Since its incorporation in 1969, the company has grown to become one of Canada's leading analytical laboratories. CANTEST is 100% Canadian, employee owned with domestic offices in British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario; and affiliates in Canada, the United States and Southeast Asia.

Having built a solid reputation of outstanding customer service, CANTEST's scientists and support staff are committed to scientific innovation, integrity, accuracy and teamwork. This commitment to excellence is exemplified through the company’s ability to attract and retain top scientists across a broad range of disciplines. Entrepreneurial spirit, teamwork, continuous learning and community involvement are pervasive throughout the organization and are components of every initiative the company undertakes.

William F. Stoneman, Technical and Marketing Consultant

Bill Stoneman is a consultant for agricultural biotechnology companies, specifically Becker Underwood; Sylvan Bioproducts; Jet Harvest Solutions: and Prophyta Biologischer Pfanzenschutz GmbH. Prior work was with Encore Technologies, LLC as Director of Microbial Business Development and with Chr. Hansen Bio Systems, United Market Services Co., and Conklin Company, Inc. in marketing and development. Bill's specialties include, market development, media development, regulatory, grant writing, and field research coordination. He holds a Masters of Agriculture from theUniversity of Minnesota - College of Agriculture with emphasis inAgronomy and Soil Science and secondary studies in Agricultural economics and Extension Management.

Plant Health Care, Inc.

The Plant Health Care Group is a leading provider of natural products for plants and soil. PHC’s products are targeted to the horticulture, agriculture, turf grass, commercial landscaping, forestry and land reclamation sectors. Established in 1995 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, PHC currently has operations in the US, Mexico, UK and the Netherlands with technical support in Austria. Through the commercialization of its products, PHC is capitalizing on current long-term trends toward natural systems and biological products for plant care and soil and water management.

PHC has expanded its reach in biological pesticides through the acquisition of certain assets from Eden BioScience which was completed in 2007. The assets included the patent-protected rights to Harpin technology and, additionally, provided Plant Health Care with Harpin-based products aiding the development of the US Agriculture business.

The primary contact at Plant Health Care is Dr. Gregory K. Lewis, Vice President of Corporate Development. He can be reached by phone at (919) 926-1937 or by email at glewis@planthealthcare.com. Their corporate website ishttp://www.planthealthcare.com