SAN FRANCISCO, June 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Grower’s Secret™, Inc. a Hawaii-grown company and Certified B Corporation, specializing in organic plant growth enhancers and eco-friendly fertilizers, announces the closing of a strategic acquisition of and investment in Midwestern BioAg, Inc. Midwestern BioAg, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, has developed methods to increase soil fertility that translate into fewer inputs, greater yields and increased grower profits. The investment led by Grower’s Secret, Inc. (GSI) and managed by Proteus Environmental Technologies, LLC (Proteus) has acquired a controlling interest Midwestern BioAg with plans for infusing up to $20 million in growth capital into the business to execute on the first stage of a national and global expansion.

“Grower’s Secret is very pleased to have partnered with Proteus to complete this transaction with Midwestern BioAg,” said Chaz Berman, CEO of Grower’s Secret, Inc. “As the sole initial investor, we have committed substantial capital resources towards the acquisition and expansion of Midwestern BioAg. After several years of developing our own channels with commercial agriculture and gardeners of all kinds, we are excited to support the growth of Midwestern BioAg and the propagation of more efficient biological farming methods which optimize soil inputs and crop outputs to the benefit of the environment and the bottom line.”

A leader in biological agriculture with a 30 year history, Midwestern BioAg has developed a base of over 3,500 customers in 23 states, providing a comprehensive mix of products and services that allow farmers to gain the full range of benefits of biological farming. Midwestern BioAg has current sales of over $30 million, both direct and through a network of independent dealers. With the infusion of capital and additional talent Midwestern BioAg plans to increase its reach through expanded sales efforts, acquisitions and strategic partnerships.

“Midwestern BioAg’s approach raises yields, lowers unit costs, improves nutritional quality and reduces environmental impacts, making farming more profitable and sustainable at the same time,” said Dr. Tony Michaels, new CEO of Midwestern BioAg. “Midwestern BioAg has been a leader in creating a path to more sustainable agriculture. With this expanded team and new resources, it is our intent to extend that leadership to reach more farms, more crops and more sectors of society.”

Midwestern BioAg ‘s founder and father of biological agriculture, Gary Zimmer, will continue his role as President and member of the board of Midwestern BioAg, Dr. Michaels will also join the Midwestern BioAg board. Michaels was the co-managing director of Proteus Environmental Technologies, LLC. Proteus, based in El Segundo, California, finds and commercially develops transformative environmental technologies. Chaz Berman, CEO of GSI, will join the Midwestern BioAg board, and Albert Pleus, Chairman of GSI, will also join Midwestern BioAg’s board as Chairman.

“Our mission aligns well with that of Midwestern BioAg, as we aim to improve people’s lives, repair the earth, and provide healthier products and foods to tables globally,” said Albert Pleus, Chairman of GSI. “Grower’s Secret enables both traditional and organic growers, plus all kinds of gardeners, to increase the yield and strength of their crops. We are excited to take this step with Midwestern BioAg and see a great opportunity to cross-pollinate customers, products and strategies between GSI and Midwestern BioAg while growing a world-class company.”

Grower’s Secret™ celebrated 15 years of operations in 2013. It discovered, developed, patented, and is now commercializing organic plant growth enhancers and fertilizers for a number of distribution channels: agriculture, horticulture, indoor gardening, lawn and garden dealers, including big box retailers. The company’s premier product, Grower’s Secret Professional, is derived from one of the best examples of symbiosis in nature between a specific fungus and its host tree. These plants have developed the ability to help each other prosper during eons of existence. Grower’s Secret developed a process to extract this material, which signals a plant to live up to its potential, grow bigger, faster, and produce, larger, and more uniform crops. Grower’s Secret Professional is made from 100% edible materials, and it is OMRI (Organic Materials Research Institute) and COIM (California Organic Input Material, managed by CDFA, California Department of Food and Agriculture) listed. The material is in compliance with NOP (National Organic Program) under the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture).

Contact info: Chaz Berman, CEO chazb@growerssecret.com , 1-888-217-9426 x220

About Grower’s Secret™, Inc.:
Grower’s Secret offers a collection of organic and traditional products for gardeners and commercial growers some of which are patented in 157 countries. Grower’s Secret, Inc. began in 1998 on Maui when its founders discovered a plant growth enhancer (Grower’s Secret Professional) that increases crop yields by 30%+ and materially improves grower profits. The company has followed in its founders’ footsteps by developing other innovative organic solutions for commercial growers and gardeners. GSI home garden products can be found in many stores nationally including Whole Foods. Grower’s Secret operates research laboratories in Puunene, HI, processing facilities in Oakland, CA and sales, marketing and administration in San Francisco, CA. For more information, call the company’s toll free phone number: (888) 217-9426 Ext 101 and/or visit the company’s website at www.growerssecret.com.

About Midwestern BioAg, Inc.:
Midwestern BioAg, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, has developed methods to increase soil fertility that translate into less inputs and greater yields increasing grower profits. Midwestern BioAg is an industry leader in biological agriculture with core facilities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Iowa and a sales force and network of dealers that cover 23 states and three Canadian provinces. The staff is well educated and knowledgeable in the principles and practices of soil management, crop production and animal agriculture. Midwestern BioAg supplies a wide range of products and programs to assist customers in managing an efficient and profitable operation. Midwestern BioAg creates tailored management plans that incorporate better farming through better soil to meet each and every producer’s production goals for soils, crops and livestock. For more information, visit www.midwesternbioag.com.

SOURCE Grower’s Secret