ProGene Plant Research
ProGene Plant Research is a 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 the leading supplier of varieties in the United States dry edible pea industry.
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 1995, Kurt and Chris purchased and carried 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."
Chris Braunwart - Information and Office Manager
Shanise Brown - Bookkeeping, Inventory Management, Photographer
Patrick Dailey - Sales, Market Development, and Fieldman
Chris Guess Jr - Dry Bean Agronomist
Bruce Lynch - Bean Fieldman
Jackson Meyer - Palouse Agronomist
Adrian Russell - Plant Research, New Zealand
Adrian Vera - Seed Warehouse Manager