About Gallatin Valley Seed & Agraplus
“Peas are nutritious vegetable and contribute to the World’s needs to feed its population and also contribute to farm economies as an important crop rotation.”
Agraplus purchased the pea program from Syngenta Seeds because we believe peas are an important contributor in many ways to the farm economies and to our need to feed people nutritious food. Large seed companies continue to focus on high margin vegetable species and breeding of peas has continued to decline. Gallatin Valley Seed Company started in the Gallatin Valley area of Bozeman, Montana in 1913 and it is our intent that it will remain a strong advocate for peas in the future.
Organization and Operations
Breeding and stock seed:
Dr. Ron Shellenberger, Provita, Inc. of Nampa, Idaho has agreed to assist in maintaining Gallatin Valley pea varieties. Gallatin Valley will work with Seneca Foods and their experienced breeders to continue to advance these proven genetics. Gallatin Valley will also work with other breeders throughout the world to identify pea genetics with added value to our farmers and customers.
Production:
Gallatin Valley Seed Company is working with Seneca Foods to produce and process the pea varieties. Producing quantities needed for sales takes considerable investment and Seneca Foods will be an important partner combining the varieties into their established production effort.
Gallatin Valley Seed Company, Inc. has leased the former Intermountain Bean Company. This facility will be used to process a portion of the stock seed and commercial pea crops grown in Idaho. This operation will focus on small volume processing to emphasize quality and efficient handling of small lots.
Marketing and Sales:
Pure Line Seed Company, Inc. has agreed to be our exclusive sales agent for all sales East of the Rocky Mountains. Pure Line’s owner, Mr. Bill Pfeil, is a former sales representative of Gallatin valley Seed Company and has a proven record of good performance. Bill and his company have agreed to sell Gallatin Valley varieties as if they were his own and we feel fortunate to have Pure Line Seed as our sales agent for the Midwest, east and Southeast part of the United States and Canada.
Doug McEwen, retired from Rogers, has agreed to assist us with his extensive and enthusiastic knowledge of pea varieties and specifically varieties bred by Gallatin Valley and Dr. Paul Moser. There is a wealth of varieties we need to further evaluate and potentially bring to market. Doug will also assist in sales for Western Oregon and Washington and Alberta, Canada.
Ann Correll-Munden will be the sales representative for the Columbia Basin. Ann has been a field representative for Syngenta Seeds and has prior experience with Twin City Foods. Ann is a tremendous asset to our Gallatin Valley sales effort and we look forward to serving customers.