In order to stay competitive in the seed industry, the management of Hornbeck Seed Company decided to pursue a strategic partnership to accomplish the mission and goals set forth for our soybean research, seed production and processing company. Through our 30 years in business we had heard many people speak highly of Verdant Partners concerning the sale of business within the industry. Knowing of their extensive dealing in the genetics and seed industry we knew they were the obvious choice to contact about strategic business decisions for our family company. After months of searching, interviews, and planning, Alan Gould and Verdant Partners facilitated the right decision, with the right company, at the right time to align strengths of both companies for a successful merger.

Selling all, or part of a family business can be a daunting task. Verdant brought experience and dispassionate perspective to the table for us. Without them our divestiture of Hyland Seeds would have been less successful and more confusing.

In 2009 TCI worked with Verdant Partners to find a suitable investor partner to provide financial resource to the business to facilitate further growth of an already rapidly growing and highly successful business. Working with Dean and Rod, we identified suitable partners and through a process of dialogue, negotiation, and analysis, we arrived at a well structured and mutually beneficial transaction.

In 2006 Philom Bios retained Verdant Partners as part of a strategy development project to more completely explore the company's options to maximize shareholder value. The outcome of that process was a clear understanding of the company's value and its option set along with possible payoffs and associated risks. The Management and Board of the company were very impressed with Verdant's professionalism, knowledge of the agricultural market place, and completeness of their work. In 2007, Verdant was again retained as the company was approached by several unsolicited acquirers. Ultimately, Philom Bios was sold to Novozymes A/S. Simply put - the shareholders of Philom Bios were delighted with the outcome of the transaction. Verdant's support and guidance through every step of the transaction from initial negotiations, due diligence, the negotiation and development of a final Purchase Agreement was invaluable. I would work with Verdant again in a heart beat!!

Eleven years ago the management of Wensman Seed made the decision to sell the company in order to continue to aggressively grow its corn and soybean market share and to insure long term survival in a rapid consolidating seed industry.

We selected Dean Cavey of Verdant Partners to initiate and manage the transaction for Wensman Seed. We were very aware of the challenges involved of making sure the outcome was positive for all parties. After all, you maybe only do this once in your lifetime.

Dean was selected for his in-depth knowledge of the seed industry and for his ability to command the respect needed from all involved parties to insure the completion of a successful transaction. Bottom line: Dean completed the transaction for Wensman Seed on time, and the transaction was very successful for all parties involved.

In my responsibility as President / C.E.O. of Rio Colorado Seeds Inc., I worked with Verdant Partners when RCSI wanted to align itself with a global vegetable seed company. The negotiations with potential partners were conducted in a professional and speedy manner and resulted in a successful acquisition.

Verdant Partners can be classified as a team of very professional experts who know how to get the job done, how to keep negotiations between parties going, while still respecting the personal feelings of both partners on the negotiation table.

I found it a pleasure to work with Verdant Partners, and I would not hesitate to recommend them to a friend or to use their services again in the future.

I highly recommend Verdant Partners. The level of professionalism, experience, integrity, and leadership demonstrated by the team at Verdant Partners is a rare find in today's business world. Their skillful guidance brokering the sale of my business leaves no doubt that I made the right choice with Verdant Partners.

My partners and I have had not one, but two, very positive experiences with Verdant Partners. We first retained Verdant to manage the divestiture of Rio Colorado Seeds, an onion breeding and development company. Four years later we again retained Verdant to sell our California-based, integrated produce business. In both cases, we were very pleased with the superior results they delivered. Verdant Partners was extremely knowledgeable, very hands-on, and brought a high level of expertise to the table. Based on their professional approach and the results delivered to us as shareholders of Rio Colorado Seeds and Denice & Filice Packing Company, I would not hesitate to recommend them.

I have worked with Verdant Partners on a number of transactions, and they have impressed me at every turn. Their unique expertise is invaluable to their clients and their clients' advisors. In particular, the incredibly deep and wide knowledge they have in the global crop genetics industry is invaluable. Above all, however, what impresses me most is their ability to get the deals done to meet the most critical asset of any broker. Verdant Partners is the 'go-to' brokerage and consulting firm in the crop industry.

Crosbyton Seed Co. received an inquiry from Verdant Partners LLC on behalf of Advanta India Limited, a subsidiary of United Phosphorous Limited, regarding their interest in potentially purchasing the assets of the Crosbyton sorghum seed business. While Verdant represented the buyer in this situation, we were appreciative of the professional approach taken by Verdant in managing the process. Prompt due diligence and negotiations lead to an equitable, fair, and expedient closure of the sale of Crosbyton Seed Co. and Sandy Land Farms (foundation seed subsidiary) assets to Advanta US, Inc., a division of Advanta India. We were appreciative of Verdant's role in the process of helping our company to become part of an organization capable of and focused on enhancing sorghum for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Verdant Partners has always provided insightful, value-added services - for divestitures, acquisitions, and consulting in agribusiness. Their straight-forward and candid approach has benefited our companies in solving problems and in capitalizing upon opportunities. I especially appreciated the depth of data and experience Verdant has in tackling difficult challenges.

I have known the people and reputation of Verdant Partners for quite some time but really came to appreciate the breadth of their abilities through the sale of Golden Harvest Seeds to Syngenta. This sale involved a complex set of negotiations and transactions requiring a high level of skill and expertise across several disciplines. Verdant Partners is first rate business people, good at both the big picture issues and detail orientation required in transactions of this nature.

Advanta has had an association with Verdant Partners over the past 3-4 years on some strategic planning aspects in our business that led to some acquisition work. As our industry is a relatively small one, we have also come across them in situations where they have been representing other clients in M&A activities. We have found them to be completely open and honest in these situations where the potential for conflict of interest exists.

The majority of work that we have contracted to Verdant Partners has been via Bud Hughes. We have found Bud an excellent person to work with, and Verdant Partners is a resource of great depth and knowledge to assist us in making some key business decisions.

When La Crosse Forage & Turf Seed LLC and the Rural American Fund LP decided to form a partnership, Verdant Partners played an integral role in the entire process. From the introduction of the two parties to the closing of the deal, Verdant Partners guided us through the negotiations in a very professional manner.

Dean Cavey's insight into the market place, attention to details, and vast experience was an invaluable asset to both parties.

We would highly recommend Verdant Partners' services to anyone.

The relationship with Verdant Partners has been instrumental in the growth and development of Floragenex. The team at Verdant Partners provided their experience and advice to help us refine our business strategy and identify the right partners and customers in the market. When the right opportunity came forward, they helped bring a deal together by creating a true "win-win" transaction delivering the resources and connections to the market that will help Floragenex build a great company. We are looking forward to our relationship with Illinois Foundation Seeds, Inc. and providing our DNA technology services to the global crop genetics industry.

I worked with Dean Cavey and Garrett Stoerger in the sale of Prairie Brand to DAS. Without the experience and expertise of Verdant it would be nearly impossible to put together the needed information to get the transaction completed and arrive at a fair valuation. Confidentiality and trust are essential in this type of transaction and I can't imagine anyone being better at this than Verdant Partners.