Dow AgroSciences Strengthens Cotton Team Across the South

Steve Brown and Joel Faircloth to Support PhytoGen as Cotton Development Specialists

INDIANAPOLIS - Jan. 03, 2008 - Dow AgroSciences is pleased to announce that prominent university researchers Dr. Steve Brown and Dr. Joel Faircloth have joined PhytoGen as cotton development specialists. They will lead sales and marketing efforts for PHYTOGEN^® cottonseed and WIDESTRIKE^® Insect Protection in the lower Southeast and upper Midsouth regions, respectively. Brown and Faircloth are the latest additions to an elite group of cotton experts at PhytoGen who specialize in cotton production and pest management.

"We are proud to have both Dr. Joel Faircloth and Dr. Steve Brown on board at Dow AgroSciences," says Duane W. Canfield, Dow AgroSciences cotton market specialist. "We believe these two additions, along with our current cotton development specialists, prove our commitment to providing growers a choice in high-yielding, high-quality PHYTOGEN cottonseed.

"And the timing is perfect to expand our team. We have many exciting PHYTOGEN cottonseed varieties to launch over the next three years, and Dow AgroSciences has several other technologies to bring to cotton growers."

Renowned University Cotton Specialist Joins Dow AgroSciences

Brown joins the PhytoGen team after working as a professor for the Crop and Soil Sciences department at The University of Georgia for the past 21 years. His past responsibilities have included providing leadership for the University of Georgia Cotton Team as well as serving as a liaison to outside groups on cotton issues. Brown has earned a doctorate in crop and soil science from Texas A&M University and a bachelor's and a master's degree in agronomy from Auburn University.

Over the years, Brown has authored or contributed to more than 900 articles. At last count he has conducted more than 900 county grower meetings and nearly 250 statewide and industry technical meetings. The media also recognizes Brown's credibility in the industry; he has been interviewed more than 300 times for television, radio and print materials.

"I decided to join Dow AgroSciences because of its obvious commitment to cotton, its competitiveness in cotton technology now and in the future, and the possibilities of seeing PhytoGen grow in the cotton business in the coming years," Brown says. "The cotton group within Dow AgroSciences is a concentrated force - I look forward to being a part of the team.

"I also look forward to the success of the company as we contribute to the success of cotton producers across the United States." 

Top University Cotton Researcher Sees Potential of PHYTOGEN

Faircloth joins the PhytoGen team after serving as the cotton specialist and assistant professor with weed science and agronomy responsibilities at Virginia Tech for the past four years.

Noted as a top researcher, Faircloth has given presentations at numerous field days and conferences and has authored many newsletter and journal articles. He previously has worked as an assistant professor in the agronomy department at Louisiana State University. 

Faircloth has received a doctorate in crop science from North Carolina State University. In addition, he has a master's degree in entomology and a bachelor's degree in wildlife and fisheries, also from North Carolina State University. 

"After working with PHYTOGEN commercial and experimental varieties as the cotton specialist at Virginia Polytechnic and State University, I realized the potential of these varieties to enhance a cotton producer's bottom line. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a rapidly growing cottonseed company that is coming out with exceptional varieties," Faircloth says.

For more information about PHYTOGEN cottonseed, visit www.PhytoGenYields.com.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a top-tier agricultural company providing innovative crop protection, pest and vegetation management, seed, and agricultural biotechnology solutions to serve the world's growing population. Global sales for Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, are $3.4 billion. Learn more at www.dowagro.com.

For Editorial Information:
Amanda B. Powell
Bader Rutter & Associates Inc.
(770) 356-1480
apowell@bader-rutter.com

Chip Giles
Dow AgroSciences LLC
(317) 337-5707