Garst to show appreciation to industry by awarding more than 6,000 acres of free seed
 
Garst Seed Company is celebrating 75 years in the seed industry by giving growers the chance to win 75 acres of free Garst® brand seed corn. Garst will reward 86 growers across the United States a total of 6,450 acres of free Garst seed.

Producers can sign up to win the free seed corn by visiting the Garst booth at various farm shows or attending one of four Demonstration Days at the Garst/Syngenta Learning Centers. In addition, growers can also qualify for the 75 acres of free seed by talking to their Garst Guy about Garst’s True Blue Customer Rewards program and having their name registered in this free drawing.

“Celebrating 75 years in the rapidly changing seed industry is truly a milestone, and it would not have been possible without the tremendous commitment of growers throughout the years to the Garst brand,” says Steve Klein, head of marketing. “We believe the 75-acre giveaway is one way to celebrate our anniversary and show our appreciation to our customers.”

The Garst & Thomas Hybrid Corn Company was founded in 1930. In 1983, Garst Seed Company was formed. During the past 22 years, Garst acquired various seed companies and, in 2004, was purchased by Syngenta. Today, Garst markets corn, soybeans, sorghum, alfalfa and sunflower. Since 1995, Garst has doubled its corn sales and tripled its soybean sales, and today is  the third largest U.S. corn seed supplier. “Garst has a long history of delivering genetics, agronomic expertise and service to growers and has developed a leadership position in the rapidly changing trait market,” adds Klein. “Combining Garst’s research, genetic and people resources with resources from Syngenta is allowing Garst to continue our strong tradition and offer growers even more choices in their seed and trait selection.”

Register to Win Free Garst Seed Corn

Producers can sign up to win free seed by visiting Garst’s booth at the following farm shows:

·     Farmfest, August 2 – 4, Redwood County, Minn.

·     Dakotafest, August 16 – 18, Mitchell, S.D.

·     Farm Progress Show, August 30 – September 1, Decatur, Ill.

·     Husker Harvest Days, September 13 – 15, Grand Island, Neb.

·     Ohio Farm Science Review, September 20 – 22, London, Ohio  

·     National Farm Machinery Show, February 15 – 18, 2006, Louisville, Ky.

·     Commodity Classic, March 2 – 4, 2006, Anaheim, Calif.

Growers attending the Demonstration Days at Garst/Syngenta Learning Centers this summer can also register to win free seed. The Demonstration Days are as follows:

·     August 11, Wyoming, Ill.

·     August 17, Wood River, Neb.

·     August 23 or 24, Slater, Iowa

The Learning Centers are an integrated research effort to explore innovative solutions to maximize economic and agronomic yield in corn and soybeans. Research at the Learning Centers is conducted by third-party researchers, and it integrates genetics, traits, seed treatment, crop protection inputs, tillage systems, planting dates, application timing and other management practices.

Eligibility Through True Blue Customer Reward Program

Garst’s True Blue Customer Reward program rewards customers for seed purchases and their loyalty to the Garst brand. Growers who increase their Garst seed purchases over last year or who plant 100 percent Garst seed are eligible for savings opportunities on their seed purchases.  In addition, growers should contact their Garst Guy early to have their name entered to win 75 acres of free seed corn.  The deadline for entry for free seed is Oct. 1, 2005.  Winners will be notified by Nov. 1, 2005.  The True Blue Customer Reward savings opportunity is available to growers through Nov. 23, 2005.

“Tying in Garst’s 75th anniversary promotional program with our customer loyalty program is a natural fit and is just one more way we can say thank you to our dedicated customers,” says Klein.  

For more details about Garst’s 75th anniversary activities, the company’s True Blue Customer Reward program or the Garst/Syngenta Learning Centers, contact your local Garst ProSeller or Garst district sales manager, call Garst at 1-888-GO-Garst or visit the company Web site at www.garstseed.com.

Garst Seed Company, with headquarters in Slater, Iowa, provides seed solutions for growers across North America with high yielding corn, soybean, sorghum, alfalfa and sunflower products.

Garst Seed Company is affiliated with Syngenta, a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology.  Syngenta is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market.  Sales in 2004 were approximately $7.3 billion.  Syngenta employs some 19,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT).