Document:

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Exhibit 10.2
                                                                AMENDED 12/10/97

                        SIMS AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS CO.

                       1996 DIRECTORS STOCK OPTION PLAN

(S)1. Purpose

      The purposes of the Sims Agricultural Products Co. 1996 Directors Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan") are to encourage directors of Sims Agricultural
Products Co., an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), who are not employees of the
Company or any affiliate of the Company eligible to participate in option plans
of the Company for employees, to acquire or increase a proprietary interest in
the Company, to promote and strengthen the interest of such directors in the
development and financial success of the Company, and to assist the Company in
attracting and retaining highly qualified directors by providing such directors
with options (the "Options") to purchase common shares, without par value, of
the Company (the "Shares"). The Options shall be stock options not intended to
qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

(S)2. Administration of Plan.

      The Plan shall be administered by the Company's Board of Directors (the
"Board"); provided that any action taken by the Board with respect to the Plan
shall be authorized by the affirmative vote of a majority of those directors who
are not eligible to participate in the Plan. In its discretion, the Board may
appoint a committee of not less than three directors to administer the Plan (the
"Committee"), and, if it does so, all provisions of this Plan relating to the
Board as administrator shall apply to the Committee. The members of the
Committee, if one is appointed, shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan
while serving on the Committee, and, at such time as the Shares have been
registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "1934 Act"), the members of the Committee shall be "disinterested persons"
within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the 1934 Act. The Board or the Committee
may adopt any rules it considers appropriate for the conduct of its business or
the administration of the Plan, make interpretations of the Plan, and take any
other actions it considers appropriate in connection with the Plan, all in a
manner consistent with the other provisions of the Plan. The decisions of the
Board or the Committee on matters within its jurisdiction under the Plan shall
be conclusive and binding.

(S)3. Shares Subject to the Plan.

      The maximum aggregate number of Shares reserved and available for grants
of Options under the Plan shall be 600,000 Shares. Such Shares may be authorized
but unissued Shares or issued Shares reacquired by the Company and held as
treasury Shares. If an Option granted under the Plan expires or terminates
without exercise, the Shares subject to such expired or terminated Option shall
again be available for other Options to be granted under the Plan. The aggregate
number of Shares allocated to the Plan shall be subject to adjustment pursuant
to (S)6.

(S)4. Eligibility.

      The persons eligible to receive Options under the Plan shall include only
individuals who are directors of the Company and who (a) are not employees of
the Company or any affiliate of the Company, or (b) are not eligible to
participate in other option plans of the Company in which employees are entitled
to participate (each such individual, an "Eligible Director").

(S)5. Grant and Terms of Options.

      Options under the Plan may be granted to Eligible Directors by the Board,
in its discretion, at any time and from time to time. Each Option shall be
evidenced by a written agreement (an "Option Agreement"), and each Option
Agreement shall be dated as of the date on which the Option is granted and
signed by an officer of the Company and the Eligible Director to whom such
Option is granted (Eligible Directors granted Options hereunder, "Grantees").
All Option Agreements shall be consistent with the Plan and shall be subject to
the following terms and conditions:

      (a)   Vesting. Each Option shall be exercisable only with respect to the
            Shares subject to that Option which have become vested. Each Option
            shall become vested with respect to a number of Shares equal to 25%
            of the total number of Shares subject to the Option on each of the
            first four anniversaries of the date the Option is granted; provided
            that the Board may, in its discretion, establish a different vesting
            schedule for any Option so long as the vesting schedule is set forth
            in the applicable Option Agreement.

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      (b)   Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share issuable upon the
            exercise of an Option shall be no less than the fair market value of
            the Shares on the date on which the Option is granted. For purposes
            of this Plan, the fair market value of the Shares shall mean, as of
            any given date, the (i) last reported sale price on the New York
            Stock Exchange, (ii) last reported sale price on the NASDAQ National
            Market System, (iii) last reported sale price on any other stock
            exchange on which the Shares are listed, or (iv) average of the
            closing bid prices on the 10 most recent trading days, as reported
            by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or another
            reputable source, whichever is applicable; provided that if none of
            the foregoing is applicable, fair market value shall be determined
            by the Board in good faith.

      (c)   Maximum Term. Subject to (S)(S)5(f) and 9, the term of each Option
            shall commence on the date of grant and shall terminate on the tenth
            anniversary of such date.

      (d)   Method of Exercise. An Option may be exercised, in whole or in part,
            by giving written notice to the Secretary of the Company stating the
            number of Shares (which must be a whole number) to be purchased and
            specifying time for delivery of such Shares, which shall be more
            than 10 and less than 20 business days after the exercise of the
            Option. Subject to compliance with all other terms and conditions of
            the Plan and the Option Agreement relating to such Option, the
            Company shall deliver, at the specified time at the principal office
            of the Company, a certificate for such Shares to the person entitled
            to receive such shares upon receipt of payment of the full purchase
            price for such Shares by certified or bank cashier's check or other
            form of payment acceptable to the Board, or, if approved by the
            Board, by (i) delivery of unrestricted Shares having a fair market
            value on the date of such delivery equal to the total exercise
            price, (ii) offsetting Shares which are subject to the Option and
            which have a fair market value at the time of exercise equal to the
            exercise price against the number of Shares subject to the Option
            being exercised, or (iii) a combination of the preceding methods.

      (e)   Transferability. No Option shall be transferable by a Grantee other
            than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; provided that
            the Board may provide for the irrevocable transfer, with Board
            approval and without payment of consideration, of any Option by a
            Grantee to one or more of such Grantee's spouse, children,
            grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, to the trustee of any trust for
            the principal benefit of one or more such persons, or to any
            partnership whose only partners are one or more such persons. Unless
            an Option is transferred as provided in the preceding sentence,
            during the lifetime of a Grantee, an Option shall be exercisable
            (subject to any other applicable restrictions on exercise) only by
            the Grantee for his or her own account or by the Grantee's
            authorized legal representative if the Grantee is unable to exercise
            the Option because of his or her disability. Unless an Option is
            transferred as provided above, upon the death of a Grantee, an
            Option shall be exercisable (subject to any other applicable
            restrictions on exercise) only by the executor or administrator of
            the Grantee's estate or by the legatees or heirs of the Grantee.

      (f)   Termination of Option. Except as otherwise provided in (S)9, if a
            Grantee ceases to be an Eligible Director for any reason, then all
            Options or any unexercised portion of such Options which otherwise
            are exercisable by such Grantee shall terminate unless such Options
            are exercised within six months after the date such Grantee ceases
            to be an Eligible Director (but in no event after expiration of the
            original term of any such Option); provided that if such Grantee
            ceases to be an Eligible Director by reason of such Grantee's death,
            the six-month period shall instead be a one-year period.

(S)6. Changes in Capital Structure.

      If the Company (a) pays a stock dividend or makes a distribution in Shares
without receiving consideration in the form of money, services, or property, (b)
subdivides or splits its outstanding Shares into a greater number of Shares, or
(c) combines its outstanding Shares into a smaller number of Shares, then the
aggregate number of Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the Plan and the
number and exercise price of Shares subject to the unexercised portions of
then-outstanding Options shall be adjusted so that, assuming that Options had
been previously granted for all of the Shares so reserved, the Grantees would be
entitled to receive for the same aggregate price that number of Shares which
they would have owned after the happening of any of the events described above
had they exercised all of such Options prior to the happening of such event. An
adjustment made pursuant to this paragraph shall become effective immediately
after the record date in the case of a dividend or other distribution or the
effective date in the case of a subdivision, split, or combination.

      If the Company reclassifies or changes the Shares (except for splitting or
combining, changing par value, changing from par value to no par value, or
changing from no par value to par value) or participates in a consolidation or
merger (other

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than a merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation and which does
not result in any reclassification or change of the Shares except as stated
above), the aggregate number of Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the
Plan and the number and exercise price of Shares subject to the unexercised
portions of then-outstanding Options shall be adjusted so that, assuming that
Options had been previously granted for all the Shares so reserved, the Grantees
would be entitled to receive for the same aggregate price that number and type
of shares of capital stock which they would have owned after the happening of
any of the events described above had they exercised all of such Options prior
to the happening of such event.

      No adjustment pursuant to this section shall be required unless such
adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the number or
price of Shares; provided that any adjustments which by reason of this paragraph
are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in
any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this section shall be made to
the nearest cent or to the nearest full share, as the case may be. Anything in
this section to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall be entitled to
make such reductions in the exercise price, in addition to those required by
this section, as it, in its discretion, shall determine to be advisable in order
that any stock dividends, subdivisions or splits of shares, distribution of
rights to purchase shares or securities, or distribution of securities
convertible into or exchangeable for shares hereafter made by the Company to its
shareholders shall not be taxable.

      Whenever an adjustment is made pursuant to the preceding provisions of
this section, the Company shall promptly prepare a notice of such adjustment
setting forth the terms and the effective date of such adjustment and shall mail
such notice of adjustment to the Grantees at their respective addresses
appearing on the records of the Company or at such other address as any Grantees
may from time to time designate in writing to the Company.

(S)7. Compliance with Securities Laws; Delivery of Shares.

      No Option shall be exercisable and no Shares shall be delivered under the
Plan except in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws
and regulations. The Company may require each person acquiring Shares pursuant
to the exercise of an Option under the Plan (a) to represent and warrant to and
agree with the Company in writing that the participant is acquiring the Shares
without a view to distribution thereof, and (b) to make such additional
representations, warranties, and agreements with respect to the investment
intent of such person or persons exercising the Option as the Company may
reasonably request.

      No Option shall be exercisable unless the Shares are exempt from
registration under the Ohio securities law, axe the subject matter of an exempt
transaction, are registered by description or qualification, or are the subject
matter of a transaction which has been registered by description, as
contemplated by Section 1707.03(G)(3) of the Ohio Revised Code.

      No Option shall be exercisable unless the Company receives an opinion of,
or satisfactory to, its counsel that the issuance of Shares upon such exercise
would not violate the federal securities laws or any applicable state securities
law.

      Any Shares issued upon exercise of any Option may not be sold or otherwise
transferred, and the Company and its transfer agent shall not be required to
transfer any of such Shares, unless they have been registered under the federal
and state securities laws or a valid exemption from such registration is
available.

      The Company may imprint on each certificate evidencing the ownership of
any such Shares a legend reflecting the restrictions of this (S)7 and may use
the following or any other appropriate legend for that purpose:

            The shares represented by this certificate have not been registered
            under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state
            securities law and may not be sold or otherwise transferred without
            such registration unless a valid exemption from such registration is
            available and the corporation has received an opinion of, or
            satisfactory to, its counsel that such transfer would not violate
            any federal or state securities laws.

      All certificates for Shares or other securities delivered under the Plan
shall be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the
Company may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other requirements
of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the
Shares are then listed, and any applicable federal or state securities laws.

(S)8. Withholding Tax.

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      The Company, at its option, shall have the right to require any person who
is entitled to receive Shares pursuant to the exercise of an Option to pay to
the Company an amount equal to all taxes which the Company is required to
withhold with respect to such Shares or make arrangements satisfactory to the
Company regarding the payment of such taxes, or, in lieu thereof, to retain, or
sell without notice, a number of such Shares sufficient to cover the amount
required to be withheld. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be
conditional on such payment or other arrangements acceptable to the Company.

(S)9. Termination for Cause.

      Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Plan or in any Option
Agreement, upon the discharge of any Grantee as a director of the Company for
cause, all unexercised Options granted to such Grantee shall immediately lapse
and be of no further force or effect.

(S)10. Change in Control.

      (a)   Accelerated Vesting. Notwithstanding the provisions of (S)5(a) to
            the contrary, if a Change in Control or a Potential Change in
            Control (each as defined below) occurs, then all Options theretofore
            granted and not fully vested shall thereupon become vested and
            exercisable in full and shall remain so exercisable in accordance
            with their terms; provided that no Option which has previously been
            exercised or otherwise terminated shall become exercisable.

      (b)   Definition of Change in Control. For purposes of the Plan, a "Change
            in Control" means the happening of any of the following:

            (i)   When any "person" as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the 1934
                  Act and as used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including
                  a "group" as defined in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act, but
                  excluding the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, and any
                  employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company
                  or any subsidiary of the Company (including any trustee of
                  such plan acting as trustee), directly or indirectly, becomes
                  the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
                  1934 Act, as amended from time to time), of securities of the
                  Company representing 20% or more of the combined voting power
                  of the Company's then outstanding securities;

            (ii)  When, during any period of 24 consecutive months during the
                  existence of the Plan, the individuals who, at the beginning
                  of such period, constitute the Board (the "Incumbent
                  Directors") cease for any reason other than death to
                  constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided that a
                  director who was not a director at the beginning of such
                  24-month period shall be deemed to have satisfied such
                  24-month requirement (and be an Incumbent Director) if such
                  director was elected by, or on the recommendation of or with
                  the approval of, at least two-thirds of the directors who then
                  qualified as Incumbent Directors either actually (because they
                  were directors at the beginning of such 24-month period) or by
                  prior operation of this (S)10(b)(ii); or

            (iii) The occurrence of a transaction requiring shareholder approval
                  for the acquisition of the Company by an entity other than the
                  Company or a subsidiary of the Company through purchase of
                  assets, by merger, or otherwise.

                  Provided that a change in control shall not be deemed to be a
                  Change in Control for purposes of the Plan if the Board had
                  approved such change prior to either (A) the commencement of
                  any event described in (S)(S)10(b)(i), (ii), (iii), or
                  10(c)(i) of the Plan, or (B) the commencement by any person
                  other than the Company of a tender offer for Shares.

      (c)   Definition of Potential Change in Control. For purposes of the Plan,
            a "Potential Change in Control" means the happening of any one of
            the following:

            (i)   The approval by shareholders of an agreement by the Company,
                  the consummation of which would result in a Change in Control
                  of the Company as defined in (S)10(b); or

            (ii)  The acquisition of beneficial ownership, directly or
                  indirectly, by any entity, person, or group (other than the
                  Company, a subsidiary of the Company, or any Company employee
                  benefit plan

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                  (including any trustee of such plan acting as such trustee))
                  of the Company representing 5% or more of the combined voting
                  power of the Company's outstanding securities and the adoption
                  by the Board of a resolution to the effect that a Potential
                  Change in Control of the Company has occurred for purposes of
                  the Plan.

(S)11. Termination and Amendment of Plan.

      The Board may alter, amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan at any time,
but no such action shall affect the rights of a Grantee with respect to any
then-outstanding Option under the Plan without the consent of the Grantee. Any
such action shall be conditioned upon the approval of the shareholders of the
Company if such approval is necessary to enable the Plan to comply or to
continue to comply with any rule or qualify for any tax or regulatory treatment
for which or with which the Board deems it appropriate or desirable for the Plan
to comply or qualify.

(S)12. No Enlargement of Rights.

      The award of Options under the Plan to an Eligible Director shall not
confer any right to such director to continue as a director of the Company and
shall not restrict or interfere in any way with the fights of the shareholders
of the Company to terminate such directorship, with or without cause, at any
time (subject to any applicable provisions of the Company's articles of
incorporation or code of regulations).

(S)13. Rights as Shareholder.

      No Grantee or his transferee or executor or administrator shall have any
rights of a shareholder in the Company with respect to the Shares subject to an
Option unless and until a certificate representing such Shares has been duly
issued and delivered to him under the Plan.

(S)14. Definitions of Subsidiary and Affiliate.

      The term "subsidiary" means a subsidiary corporation as defined in
(S)424(f) of the Code. An "affiliate" of, or a person or entity "affiliated"
with, a specified person or entity is a person or entity that directly, or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is
under common control with, the person or entity specified.

(S)15. Government Regulations.

      Notwithstanding any provisions of the Plan or any Option Agreement, the
Company's obligations under the Plan and any such Option Agreement shall be
subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations and to such approvals as
may be required by any governmental or regulatory authorities.

(S)16. Governing Law.

      The Plan and all Option Agreements shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.

(S)17. Genders and Numbers.

      When permitted by the context, each pronoun used in the Plan includes the
same pronoun in other genders and numbers, and each noun used in the Plan
includes the same noun in other numbers.

(S)18. Captions.

      The captions of the various sections and paragraphs of the Plan are not
part of the context of the Plan, but are only labels to assist in locating
those sections, and shall be ignored in construing the Plan.

(S)19. Effective Date.

      The Plan shall be effective February 19, 1996.

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(S)20. Term of Plan.

      No Option shall be granted pursuant to the Plan on or after the tenth
anniversary of the effective date of the Plan, but Options granted prior to such
tenth anniversary may extend beyond that date.

                                       6<PAGE>
Exhibit 10.3

                                   Exhibit A

                          REPLACEMENT PROMISSORY NOTE

$645,286.20                                     Executed at [ILLEGIBLE], Ohio
                                                Effective as of January 12, 1996

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned ("Debtor"), promises to pay to the order of
NATIONAL CITY BANK, COLUMBUS, fka BancOhio National Bank, a national banking
association, ("Bank") at any office of Bank, SIX HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND TWO
HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX AND 20/100 Dollars ($645,286.20) in lawful money of the
United States together with interest, in sixty (60) consecutive monthly
installments, commencing [ILLEGIBLE], each of which installments shall be Five
Thousand Five Hundred Fifty-Five and 55/100 Dollars ($5,555.55) to be applied
first to accrued interest and then to principal, provided that, in no event
shall any installment be less than the current accrued interest, and except that
the last installment shall be such an amount as will pay this note in full.

Prior to maturity, principal and any overdue interest shall bear interest
payable on the same dates as principal installments are payable and at maturity
and computed (on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed) at a
fluctuating rate equal to the Prime Rate plus .75% per annum. Debtor may prepay
this note at any time without penalty.

Concurrently with each prepayment of the principal of this note, the undersigned
shall pay the unpaid interest accrued on the principal being prepaid. Each
prepayment shall be applied to the outstanding installments of this note in the
inverse order of their maturities.

If this note is not paid in full at maturity (whether occurring by lapse of time
or acceleration), the principal shall, thereafter until paid, bear interest at a
rate that shall be three percent (3%) per annum greater than the rate per annum
in effect at maturity.

This note is given, in part, as a replacement for and in renewal but not in
satisfaction of certain promissory notes originally executed by the Gro-Care
Corporation and assumed by Debtor as of December 31, 1990, the first being dated
October 7, 1988 in the original principal amount of One Million Five Hundred
Thousand and No/100 Dollars($1,500,000.00); the second being dated January 9,
1990 in the original principal amount of One Million Five Hundred Thousand and
No/100 Dollars ($1,500,000.00); and the third being dated February 6, 1990 in
the original principal amount of One Million and No/100 Dollars ($1,000,000.00)
(all three promissory notes collectively being referred to as the "Original
Notes"). This Replacement Note shall continue to be secured by all of the
collateral which secured the Original Notes including, but not limited to, a
certain Open-End Mortgage Deed and Security Agreement dated October 7, 1988, and
recorded at Volume 266, Page 886, Recorder's Office, Morrow County, Ohio on
October 20, 1988. The Original Notes having been assigned to Bank by a certain
Assignment of Promissory Notes bearing the same effective date as this note.

In this note, (a) "debt" means, collectively, all liabilities now or hereafter
owing by any or all of the undersigned to Bank and includes (without limitation)
this note and every other liability of the undersigned whether
<PAGE>

owing by only one person or entity or by any two or more in a several, joint or
joint and several capacity, whether owing absolutely or contingently, whether
created by note, overdraft, guaranty of payment or other contract or by
quasi-contract, tort, statute or other operation of law, whether incurred
directly to Bank or acquired by Bank by purchase, pledge or otherwise, and
whether participated to or from Bank in whole or in part, (b) "obligor" includes
any person or entity whose credit or property is or shall become obligated on
the debt or any part thereof in any manner and includes (without limitation) any
maker, endorser, guarantor of payment, subordinating creditor, assignor,
pledgor, mortgagor or hypothecator of property, and (c) "Prime Rate" means the
fluctuating rate, as in effect at the time in question, which is publicly
announced from time to time by Bank as being its prime rate thereafter in
effect, with each change in the prime rate (if applicable) automatically and
immediately changing, without notice, the rate thereafter applicable to this
note, (d) "related writing" includes any credit application, financial
statement, financing statement, promissory note, guaranty of payment, indenture,
mortgage, security agreement, authorization, subordination agreement,
certificate or other writing of any form or substance signed by any obligor
(whether as principal or agent) and received by Bank in respect of the debt or
any part thereof.

If (a) any obligor shall become deceased or dissolved, (b) any representation or
warranty made by any obligor in this note or any related writing shall be false
or erroneous in any material respect, (c) any obligor shall fail or omit to
perform or observe any agreement made by that obligor in this note or in any
related writing, (d) a judgment shall be entered against any obligor in any
court of record, or any obligor's deposit account is attached or levied upon,
(e) any voluntary petition by or involuntary petition against any obligor shall
be filed pursuant to any chapter of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any
obligor shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or there shall be
any other marshaling of the assets and liabilities of any obligor for the
benefit of the obligor's creditors, (f) the debt or any part thereof shall not
be paid in full promptly when due (whether due by lapse of time or acceleration
or otherwise), (g) if any obligor enters into any merger or consolidation or
sells, leases or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of an obligor's
assets in any manner other than in the ordinary course of business, or (h) the
holder of this note, in good faith, believes that the prospect of payment or
performance of any obligation hereunder is impaired, then the holder of this
note in its sole discretion may declare this note to be due forthwith, whereupon
the principal of and interest on this note shall thereupon become immediately
payable in full, all without any presentment, demand, or notice of any kind,
which are hereby waived.

No delay or omission on the part of the holder in exercising any right hereunder
shall operate as a waiver of such right or of any other right under this note.
If any provision of this note shall be declared illegal or unenforceable, such
provision shall be deemed annulled to the same extent as though it never had
appeared herein, but the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.

If more than one person or entity has signed this note or the form of guaranty
of payment below, all such persons and entities are jointly and severally liable
on this note and on the warrant of attorney below. This note shall be governed
by Ohio law.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

The undersigned hereby jointly and severally authorize any attorney at law to
appear in any State or Federal court of record in the United States of America
after the maturity hereof (whether occurring by lapse of time or acceleration),
to waive the issuance and service of process, to admit the maturity of this note
and the amount then appearing due, together with interest and costs of suit, and
thereupon to release all errors and to waive all rights of appeal and stay of
execution. No judgment against less than all of the aforesaid parties shall bar
any subsequent judgment against the other or others or any thereof. Should any
judgment be vacated for any reason this warrant of attorney nevertheless may
thereafter be used for obtaining additional judgments.

WARNING - - BY SIGNING THIS PAPER YOU GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO NOTICE AND COURT
TRIAL. IF YOU DO NOT PAY ON TIME A COURT JUDGMENT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU
WITHOUT YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWERS OF A COURT CAN BE USED TO COLLECT
FROM YOU REGARDLESS OF ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE CREDITOR WHETHER FOR
RETURNED GOODS, FAULTY GOODS, FAILURE ON HIS PART TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT,
OR ANY OTHER CAUSE.

                                        SIMS AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS CO.,
                                        an Ohio corporation

                                        By:   /s/ Dallas Paul
                                              --------------------------
                                        Its:  President

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                     PROMISSORY NOTE MODIFICATION AGREEMENT

THIS PROMISSORY NOTE MODIFICATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into effective as of March 7th, 1996, by and between SIMS AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCTS CO. ("Debtor") and NATIONAL CITY BANK, COLUMBUS, a national banking
association ("Bank").

WHEREAS, Debtor executed a certain promissory note (the "Note") dated January
12, 1996, in the original principal amount of $645,286.20 payable to the order
of Bank on or before 1/28/2001, a true and correct copy of which is attached
hereto as Exhibit A and is incorporated herein by reference, which Note is
presently unpaid and represents an outstanding principal balance of $639,730.65;
and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to modify certain provisions with respect to the
monthly payments provided for in the Note, but otherwise to preserve, ratify and
reaffirm all other terms and conditions of the Note and any other instrument or
document executed in connection with the Note.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of and subject to the covenants and terms
contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties
hereto agree as follows:

1.    Modification of Monthly Payments. Effective upon the execution hereof,
      Debtor shall make monthly payments of Five Thousand Five Hundred
      Fifty-Five and 50/100 Dollars, plus accrued interest.

2.    Ratification of Note, Mortgage, and Security Agreement. Except as herein
      expressly modified, the parties hereto ratify, approve, accept and
      reaffirm all of the terms and conditions of the Note, and of any mortgage
      deed or security agreement executed in connection with or referencing the
      Note, including provisions for the acceleration of the indebtedness as to
      any default stated therein, and for any warrant of attorney to confess
      judgment as provided in the Note.

3.    Continuation of Mortgage Liens and Security Interests. Except for the
      modifications above stated, the parties hereby expressly intend that this
      Agreement shall not constitute the creation of a new debt or the
      extinguishment of the debt evidenced by the Note; nor shall it in any
      manner affect or impair any mortgage lien or security interest granted in
      connection with the Note, which Debtor hereby acknowledges to be valid and
      existing liens on the property described in any mortgage or security
      agreement executed in connection with or referencing the Note, and said
      mortgage liens or security interests are hereby agreed to be continued in
      full force and effect from the date hereof until the debt herein is fully
      satisfied.

4.    No Course of Dealing; Waiver. Debtor expressly acknowledges and agrees
      that the execution of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of, and
      shall not preclude the exercise of, any right, power or remedy granted to
      Bank in any document evidencing the indebtedness of Debtor to Bank, or as
      provided by law, except to the extent expressly provided herein. No
      previous modification, extension, or compromise entered into

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

      with respect to any indebtedness of Debtor to Bank shall constitute a
      course of dealing or be inferred or construed as constituting an express
      or implied understanding to enter into any future modification, extension
      or compromise. No delay on the part of Bank in exercising any right, power
      or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice Bank's
      rights, powers or remedies.

5.    Promise to Pay. Debtor hereby covenants and promises to pay to the order
      of Bank, the unpaid principal balance of the Note together with interest
      as provided therein, and hereby promises (as modified by this Agreement)
      to perform all of the covenants, conditions, stipulations and agreements
      as contained in the Note, and in any other document or instrument executed
      in connection with the Note or referencing the Note, and as provided
      herein.

6.    Setoffs, Claims and Defenses. Debtor and any guarantor of the Note
      executing this Agreement hereby certify that, as of the date hereof, they
      have no setoffs, counter-claims or other defenses of any nature whatsoever
      to the payment of any part of the obligations owed to Bank as of the date
      of execution of this Agreement.

7.    Obligations Joint and Several. The obligations hereunder of each of the
      undersigned, if there be more than one, whether as Debtor or co-maker
      shall be joint and several, and any reference herein to Debtor or to the
      undersigned shall be deemed to be applicable to each such person
      separately as well as to all.

8.    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted and construed in
      accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Ohio. Further,
      the parties hereto intend that this Agreement shall be in compliance with
      all applicable laws and shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
      If any provision of this Agreement shall be illegal or unenforceable with
      respect to the Note or with respect to any such mortgage deed or security
      agreement, such provision shall be deemed canceled to the same extent as
      though it never had appeared herein, but the remaining provisions shall
      not be affected thereby.

9.    Further Assurances. Debtor further agrees to execute and deliver any and
      all other documents and take any and all other steps or actions reasonably
      deemed necessary by Bank to effectuate this Agreement.

10.   Costs and Expenses. Debtor also agrees to reimburse Bank for all costs and
      expenses incurred in the preparation, execution and delivery of this
      Agreement, including any costs of Bank's Corporate Law Department.

11.   Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties
      hereto and their respective successors and assigns, and shall inure to the
      benefit of Bank and its respective successors and assigns.

12.   Titles and Headings. The titles and headings herein are intended to
      promote convenience and are not a part of this Agreement for purposes of
      interpreting and applying the provisions hereof.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

13.   Confession of Judgment. The undersigned hereby jointly and severally
      authorize any attorney at law to appear in any state or federal court of
      record in the United States of America after the maturity hereof (whether
      occurring by lapse of time or acceleration), to waive the issuance and
      service of process, to admit the maturity of this note and the amount then
      appearing due, to confess judgment against all of the aforesaid parties
      (or any thereof) in favor of the holder hereof for the amount then
      appearing due, together with interest and costs of suit, and thereupon to
      release all errors and to waive all rights of appeal and stay of
      execution. No judgment against less than all of the aforesaid parties
      shall bar any subsequent judgment against the other or others or any
      thereof. Should any judgment be vacated for any reason this warrant of
      attorney nevertheless may thereafter be used for obtaining additional
      judgments.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
in manner and form sufficient to bind them at Mt. Gilead, Morrow County, Ohio as
of the date first above written.

WARNING - BY SIGNING THIS PAPER YOU GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO NOTICE AND COURT
TRIAL. IF YOU DO NOT PAY ON TIME A COURT JUDGMENT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU
WITHOUT YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWERS OF A COURT CAN BE USED TO COLLECT
FROM YOU REGARDLESS OF ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE CREDITOR WHETHER FOR
RETURNED GOODS, FAULTY GOODS, FAILURE ON HIS PART TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT,
OR ANY OTHER CAUSE.

                                        SIMS AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS CO.

                                        By: /s/ Dallas Paul
                                            ---------------------------
                                        Its:  President

                                        NATIONAL CITY BANK, COLUMBUS

                                        By: /s/ Stanley A. Uchida
                                            ---------------------------
                                        Its: Assistant Vice President

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

                 SECOND PROMISSORY NOTE MODIFICATION AGREEMENT

THIS SECOND PROMISSORY NOTE MODIFICATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into effective as of November 21st, 1997, by and among NATIONAL CITY
BANK OF COLUMBUS, a national banking association, formerly known as NATIONAL
CITY BANK, COLUMBUS ("Bank") and SIMS AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS CO., an Ohio
corporation ("Debtor").

WHEREAS, Debtor executed a certain Replacement Promissory Note (the "Note")
dated January 12, 1996, in the original principal amount of Six Hundred
Forty-five Thousand Two Hundred Eighty-six and 20/100 Dollars ($645,286.20)
payable to the order of Bank on or before January 28, 2001; and

WHEREAS, the parties executed a previous modification agreement dated effective
as of March 7, 1997, which modified the monthly payments provided for in the
Note; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to modify the Note with respect to definitions and
events of default provided for therein, but otherwise preserving all other terms
and conditions of the Note and any other instrument or document executed in
connection with the Note.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of and subject to the covenants and terms
contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties
hereto agree as follows:

1.    Modification. The Note is hereby modified by deleting the sixth and
      seventh paragraphs thereof in their entirety as written and substituting,
      instead, the following:

            "The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an Event of
            Default hereunder:

                  (a) Debtor's Bank Debt or any part thereof shall not be paid
                  in full promptly when due (whether by lapse of time,
                  acceleration of maturity or otherwise);

                  (b) any Obligor shall die or be dissolved;

                  (c) any representation or warranty made by any Obligor in this
                  note or any Related Writing shall be false or erroneous in any
                  material respect;

                  (d) any Obligor shall fail or omit to perform or observe any
                  agreement made by that Obligor in this note or in any Related
                  Writing;

                  (e) Debtor fails to furnish to Bank, as soon as available and
                  in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each of
                  Debtor's fiscal years, an annual report of Debtor for that
                  year audited by a certified public accountant selected by
                  Debtor and reasonably acceptable to Bank;

                  (f) Debtor fails to furnish to Bank, as soon as available and
                  in any event within sixty (60) days after the end of each of
                  the quarterly periods of each of Debtor's fiscal years,
                  Debtor's balance sheet as at the end of the period and its
                  income statement and surplus reconciliation for Debtor's
                  current fiscal year to date certified by an appropriate
                  officer of Debtor to be true and complete to the best of his
                  knowledge and belief;

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

                  (g) the ratio, determined according to GAAP, of Debtor's debt
                  to its tangible net worth is greater than 1.5 to 1.0 at the
                  end of any of its fiscal years;

                  (h) the ratio, determined according to GAAP, of (i) the sum of
                  Debtor's net profit plus equity injections plus interest
                  expense to (ii) the sum of Debtor's current portion of long
                  term debt plus interest expense is less than 1.25 to 1.0 at
                  the end of any of its fiscal years;

                  (i) a judgment shall be entered against any Obligor in any
                  court of record;

                  (j) any deposit account of any Obligor is attached or levied
                  upon;

                  (k) any voluntary petition by or involuntary petition against
                  any Obligor shall be filed pursuant to any chapter of any
                  bankruptcy code or any Obligor shall make an assignment for
                  the benefit of creditors, or there shall be any other
                  marshalling of the assets and liabilities of any Obligor for
                  the benefit of that Obligor's creditors;

                  (l) any Obligor enters into any merger or consolidation or
                  sells, leases, or otherwise disposes of all or substantially
                  all of such Obligor's assets in any manner other than in the
                  ordinary course of business; or

                  (m) any Obligor's Bank Debt or any part thereof shall not be
                  paid in full immediately when due (whether by lapse of time,
                  acceleration of maturity or otherwise).

            Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the holder of this note
            may, in its sole discretion, declare this note to be due and
            payable, and the principal of and interest on this note shall
            thereupon become immediately payable in full, without any
            presentment, demand or notice of any kind, which Debtor hereby
            waives. Debtor will pay to Bank all costs and expenses of collection
            of this note, including, without limitation, attorneys' fees.

            In this note, the following terms have the following meanings:

                  (a) Bank Debt means Debt payable to Bank, whether initially
                  payable to Bank or acquired by Bank by purchase, pledge or
                  otherwise and whether assigned or participated to or from Bank
                  in whole or in part,

                  (b) Debt means, collectively, all monetary liabilities, and
                  any charges or expenses incurred in connection therewith, now
                  or hereafter owing by the Person or Persons in question,
                  including, without limitation, every such liability whether
                  owing by such Person or one (1) of such Persons alone or
                  jointly, severally or jointly and severally, whether owing
                  absolutely or contingently, or directly or indirectly, and
                  whether created by loan, overdraft. guaranty or other contract
                  or by quasi-contract, tort, statute or other operation of law;

                  (c) GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles
                  applied on a consistent basis;

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

                  (d) Obligor means any Person who is or shall become obligated
                  or whose property is or shall serve as collateral for the
                  payment of Debtor's Bank Debt or any part thereof in any
                  manner and, in addition to Debtor, includes, without
                  limitation, any maker, endorser, guarantor, subordinating
                  creditor, assignor, pledgor, mortgagor or hypothecator of
                  property;

                  (e) Person means a natural person or entity of any kind,
                  including, without limitation, any corporation, partnership,
                  trust, governmental body, or any other form or kind of entity;

                  (f) Prime Rate means the fluctuating rate of interest which is
                  publicly announced from time to time by Bank at its principal
                  place of business as being its "prime rate" or "base rate"
                  thereafter in effect, with each change in the Prime Rate
                  automatically, immediately and without notice changing the
                  fluctuating interest rate thereafter applicable hereunder, it
                  being agreed that the Prime Rate is not necessarily the lowest
                  rate of interest then available from Bank on fluctuating rate
                  loans; and

                  (g) Related Writing means a writing of any form or substance
                  signed by any Obligor (whether as principal or agent) or by
                  any attorney, accountant or other representative of any
                  Obligor and received by Bank in respect of Debtor's Bank Debt
                  or any part thereof, including, without limitation, any credit
                  application, credit agreement, reimbursement agreement,
                  financial statement, promissory note, guaranty, indenture,
                  mortgage, security agreement, authorization, subordination
                  agreement, certificate, opinion or any similar writing."

2.    Ratification of Note, Mortgage and Security Agreement. Except as herein
      expressly modified, the parties hereto ratify, approve, accept and confirm
      all of the terms and conditions of the Note, and of any mortgage deed or
      security agreement executed in connection with or referencing the Note,
      including provisions for the acceleration of the indebtedness as to any
      default stated therein, and for any warrant of attorney to confess
      judgment as provided in the Note.

3.    Continuation of Mortgage Liens and Security Interests. Except for the
      modifications above stated, the parties hereby expressly intend that this
      Agreement shall not constitute the creation of a new debt or the
      extinguishment of the debt evidenced by the Note; nor shall it in any
      manner affect or impair any mortgage lien or security interest granted in
      connection with the Note, which Debtor hereby acknowledges to be valid and
      existing liens on the property described in any mortgage or security
      agreement executed in connection with or referencing the Note, and said
      mortgage liens or security interests are hereby agreed to be continued in
      full force and effect from the date hereof until the debt herein is fully
      satisfied.

4.    No Course of Dealing; Waiver. Debtor expressly acknowledges and agrees
      that the execution of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of, and
      shall not preclude the exercise of, any right, power or remedy granted to
      Bank in any document evidencing the indebtedness of Debtor to Bank, or as
      provided by law, except to the extent expressly provided herein. No
      previous modification, extension, or compromise entered into with respect
      to any indebtedness of Debtor to Bank shall constitute a course of dealing
      or be inferred or construed as constituting an express or implied
      understanding to enter into any future modification, extension or
      compromise. No delay on the part of Bank in exercising

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

      any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise
      prejudice Bank's rights, powers or remedies.

5.    Promise to Pay. Debtor hereby covenants and promises to pay to the order
      of Bank, the unpaid principal balance of the Note together with interest
      as provided therein, and hereby promises (as modified by this Agreement)
      to perform all of the covenants, conditions, stipulations and agreements
      as contained in the Note, and in any other document or instrument executed
      in connection with the Note or referencing the Note, and as provided
      herein

6.    Setoffs, Claims and Defenses. Debtor hereby certifies that, as of the date
      hereof, Debtor has no setoffs, counter-claims or other defenses of any
      nature whatsoever to the payment of any part of the obligations owed to
      Bank.

7.    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted and construed in
      accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Ohio. Further,
      the parties hereto intend that this Agreement shall be in compliance with
      all applicable laws and shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
      If any provision of this Agreement shall be illegal or unenforceable with
      respect to the Note or with respect to any such mortgage deed or security
      agreement, such provision shall be deemed cancelled to the same extent as
      though it never had appeared herein, but the remaining provisions shall
      not be affected thereby.

8.    Further Assurances. Debtor further agrees to execute and deliver any and
      all other documents and take any and all other steps or actions reasonably
      deemed necessary by Bank to effectuate this Agreement.

9.    Costs and Expenses. Debtor also agrees to reimburse Bank for all costs and
      expenses incurred in the preparation, execution and delivery of this
      Agreement, including any costs of Bank's Corporate Law Department.

10.   Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties
      hereto and their respective successors and assigns, and shall inure to the
      benefit of Bank and its respective successors and assigns.

11.   Titles and Headings. The titles and headings herein are intended to
      promote convenience and are not a part of this Agreement for purposes of
      interpreting and applying the provisions hereof.

12.   Confession of Judgment. The undersigned hereby authorizes any attorney at
      law to appear in any state or federal court of record in the United States
      of America after the maturity hereof (whether occurring by lapse of time
      or acceleration), to waive the issuance and service of process, to admit
      the maturity of the Note and the amount then appearing due, to confess
      judgment against the undersigned in favor of the holder hereof for the
      amount then appearing due, together with interest and costs of suit, and
      thereupon to release all errors and to waive all rights of appeal and stay
      of execution. No judgment shall bar any subsequent judgment. Should any
      judgment be vacated for any reason, this warrant of attorney nevertheless
      may thereafter be used for obtaining additional judgments.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
in manner and form sufficient to bind them at Mt. Gilead, Morrow County, Ohio,
effective as of the date first above written.

WARNING - BY SIGNING THIS PAPER YOU GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO NOTICE AND COURT
TRIAL. IF YOU DO NOT PAY ON TIME A COURT JUDGMENT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU
WITHOUT YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWERS OF A COURT CAN BE USED TO COLLECT
FROM YOU REGARDLESS OF ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE CREDITOR WHETHER FOR
RETURNED GOODS, FAULTY GOODS, FAILURE ON HIS PART TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT,
OR ANY OTHER CAUSE.

                                        SIMS AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS CO.

                                        By:   /s/ Dallas H. Paul
                                              ---------------------------
                                              Dallas H. Paul
                                        Its:  President

                                        NATIONAL CITY BANK, COLUMBUS

                                        By:   /s/ Stanley A. Uchida
                                              ---------------------------
                                              Stanley A. Uchida
                                        Its:  Assistant Vice President

                                      -11-

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