About ProGene Plant Research

ProGene Plant Research is a small privately owned breeding seed company. Kurt and Chris Braunwart started ProGene in 1995 and with the help of an expert staff have continued to advance our research programs to maintain our position as a leader in our field.

Kurt Braunwart – Managing Owner
Kurt began his career as a fieldman for Rogers Seed Company in 1974 in Twin Falls, Idaho. In 1980 he moved to Colfax, Washington as Plant Manager and later to Othello, Washington as operations manager. In 1987 Kurt began a position in International Business Development which he held until leaving Rogers Brothers in 1990. Kurt’s first business was as an agricultural consultant with Development Consulting. In 1995 Kurt and Chris partnered with Stubbs Seed Service of Moscow, Idaho to purchase and carry forward a dry pea breeding program from Rogers Seed Company. This business became ProGene Plant Research in 1996 when Kurt and Chris bought out Stubbs Seed Service’s interest.

Kurt’s interests and talent lie in business development as a bridge between research and marketing of varieties in the industry. He has developed a business partnering network that brought Adrian Russell of Christchurch, New Zealand and Crites Seed of Moscow, Idaho into the program as integral parts of the spring dry pea breeding and development effort. Kurt also established the nationally recognized brand of EverLeaf oats which matches high quality and tonnage in the same varieties.

“I have a firm belief that the best varieties bring value to everyone at the table. If we can accomplish that, people have a reason to do business with us and profitability will be a consequence of our efforts rather than the goal.”

Mike Wood – Breeder and Research Manager
Mike and Kurt began their careers the same year in Twin Falls Idaho as fieldmen. Mike was a fieldman for Asgrow Seed Company first in Twin Falls, Idaho and then in Moses Lake, Washington. After several years with Asgow, Mike joined Rogers Seed Company breeding research department for Dry Beans in Twin Falls, Idaho and eventually moved with the group to Nampa, Idaho. In 2004, Mike joined the ProGene family, taking over the breeding and research management role. Mike’s expertise in breeding has brought the program to a new level.

Adrian Russell – Plant Research, New Zealand
Adrian was a breeder at Crop and Food Research of New Zealand before starting his own breeding business in 1999; Plant Research (NZ) Ltd. Plant Research and ProGene established an interactive breeding effort in 1999 where we intertwine our breeding programs. Working together has greatly enhanced what we have been able to accomplish.

Chris Braunwart – Information and office manager

Melissa O’Connell – Bookkeeper

Fili Vera – Seed Warehouse Manager

Adrian Vera – Seed Warehouse

Ken Jarman – Research Assistant

Bruce Lynch - Fieldman