The Legacy that is
The Goldsmith Family
S
Written By Larry J. Mickartz
omething unusual happened
recently. Within the span of a
month, Glen Goldsmith, retired
and living in Hawaii, was inducted into
the Gilroy Hall of Fame and his son, Joel
Goldsmith was named the 2016 Man of the
Year by the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce.
To understand this uncommon happening,
we took a look at the history of the
Goldsmith family in Gilroy.
In 1962 the Goldsmith arrived in
Gilroy. Jane and Glen were on a mission
to make a better life and start a business
in the sunny climate of Gilroy. Glen had
experience growing hybrid plants and a
shift in the horticultural community made
his experience valuable. Early in his career,
hybrid seeds were $35 a pound. Growing
demand pushed their value to $150 an
ounce. This opened the door to research
opportunities and the Goldsmiths marched
in. Before long, Goldsmith Seeds, now
Syngenta, was a thriving international seed
business with locations in Gilroy, Holland,
Guatemala and Africa.
Along the way the family developed a
legacy of giving back to the community
professionally and personally. Goldsmith
Seeds became an “enjoyable” place to work.
Cash bonuses were distributed, a profit-
sharing plan was set-up for employees
and the company funded scholarships.
Glen, an active Rotary member, began the
tradition of giving surplus exhibition plants
to the Gilroy Rotary for an annual flower
sale. A 25-year tradition of giving to the
community raised approximately $30,000
annually for local charities and the beauty
of Goldsmith flowers were planted through-
out the community.
Jane and Glen were fully involved
community volunteers and donors. In
1991 the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
recognized them as the Man and Woman of
the Year for their professional and personal
contributions. On the professional side
Glen and Jane were also recognized by
the government of Guatemala for their
contributions to their employees, the
economy and the well-being of that country.
As the company grew Goldsmith was
able to direct some profits back into
a variety of projects. Some were more
successful than others. One project to
develop a soybean seed specific to California
failed when the processing plant in the
Central Valley did not open as planned.
Many other projects succeeded, helping to
establish Goldsmith Seeds as a premier seed
wholesaler. In its prime years Glen was the
scientist, son, Joel, the businessman, and
son, Richard, the horticulturist.
One interesting company story has
connections to 9-11. Fears of agro-terrorism
led to the ban of a bacteria, Ralstonia
Solanacearum, which could have decimated
the potato crop. However, this bacteria
in a less virulent form was also found on
some Geraniums and led to a government
quarantine of over 1,000 greenhouses,
including the Goldsmith’s. After lengthy
negotiations with National Security
personnel the issue was finally resolved, but
not before the Geranium crop was lost.
Joel Goldsmith eventually took over
the leadership of the family business.
He continued the tradition of treating
employees as family and established an
on-site employee daycare facility.
After the sale of the business to
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016
Syngenta, Joel stepped up his community
involvement. While still working, Joel
served in a leadership capacity in several
international flower related organizations.
Locally Joel has directed his leadership skills
to the Gilroy Foundation, Gilroy Gardens,
Community Solutions, Rotary, Leadership
Gilroy and St. Joseph’s Family Center. For
these efforts he is being recognized as the
Gilroy Chamber of Commerce Man of the
Year for 2016. In an interview with the
Chamber he said:
“It all goes back to how I was
raised. …Trying to make things
better was a big part of what
my parents did. I’ve been very
fortunate in my career and my
life, which has given me the time
and resources to make Gilroy a
better place.”
This honor for Joel comes a year after
his wife, Paula Goldsmith, was recognized
as the Chamber 2015 Woman of the
Year. Paula was recognized for her work
with GALs (Gilroy Assistance League),
Community Solutions and the Gilroy
Foundation.
How does it happen that one family
can garner so many awards for community
service? Goldsmith Seeds was involved
with plant genetics…could it be that the
Goldsmith family has a genetic disposition
to community service? Whatever the reason,
we are grateful for the contribution of the
Goldsmith family…
Jane, Glen, Joel, and Paula.
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