Document:

EXHIBIT 10.17

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THE RICEX COMPANY, a Delaware corporation ("Employer"), and Terry H.
 Miller ("Employee"), agree as follows, effective as of the first day of July,
 2004 (the "Effective Date").

         1. EMPLOYMENT. Employer hereby employs Employee and Employee hereby
accepts employment with Employer on the terms and conditions set forth below.

         2. POSITION; SCOPE OF EMPLOYMENT. The Employee is employed as Corporate
Controller and Manager of Information Systems of the Company. In this capacity,
the Employee shall be responsible for Company accounting, financial reporting,
managing the Company information systems, and other duties listed in the Chief
Financial Officer, or CFO, approved job description regarding the Company's
financial accounting and reporting; as well as information system administration
and other duties and responsibilities as the CFO shall designate and are not
inconsistent with the Employee's position with the Company, including the
performance of duties with respect to any subsidiaries of the Company, and shall
include such other duties and authority as specified by Employer and as may be
modified from time to time.

                  2.1. ENTIRE TIME AND EFFORT. Employee shall devote Employee's
full working time, attention, abilities, skill, labor and efforts to the
performance of Employee's employment. Employee shall not directly or indirectly
(i) be substantially engaged in or concerned with any other duties or pursuits,
(ii) render services to any third party for compensation or other benefit, or
(Hi) engage in any other business activity that will in any way interfere with
the performance of Employee's duties under this Agreement, except with the prior
written consent of Employer; provided, however, that Employee may engage in
charitable, philanthropic, educational, religious, civic and similar such
activities to the extent that such activities do not unreasonably interfere with
the performance of Employee's duties under this Agreement.

                  2.2. RULES AND REGULATIONS. Employee agrees to observe and
comply with Employer's rules and regulations as provided by Employer and as may
be amended from time to time by Employer, and will carry out and faithfully
perform such orders, directions and policies of Employer.

         3. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT. Employee's term of employment under the terms of
this Agreement shall commence on July 1,2004 and shall terminate five years from
that date, unless terminated earlier as provided herein. At the end of the
initial five-year term, this Agreement shall automatically renew for an
additional five-year term unless either party notifies the other party in
writing ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the term of his or its
intention not to renew this Agreement.

         4. COMPENSATION. Employer shall pay Employee the base pay ("Base
Salary") of Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000) per year which is in effect on the
date of this agreement. Salary payments will be payable in periodic installments
in accordance with Employer's pay schedule, but not less than twice per month.
The Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually, and shall be adjusted to
compensate for cost of living adjustments in the Sacramento metropolitan area.

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<PAGE>
                  4.1. BENEFITS. Employee shall be provided with medical
insurance and such other benefits as provided to Employer's other similarly
situated employees and in accordance with Employer's policies, as modified from
time to time in Employer's sole discretion.

                  4.2. VACATION AND SICK LEAVE. Employee shall be entitled to
four weeks of vacation each calendar year. Employee's vacation shall accrue at
the rate of thirteen and one-thirds (13 1/3) hours per month but in no event
shall Employee's total accrued vacation exceed eight (8) weeks. Employee shall
be entitled to sick leave in accordance with Employer's sick leave policy.

                  4.3. AUTOMOBILE. Employer shall make lease payments on behalf
of the Employee, up to a maximum amount of six hundred dollars ($600.00) per
month. Employer shall also reimburse Employee for his actual expenses incurred
in the operation of one automobile for automobile insurance, annual
registration, and maintenance.

                  4.4. BONUS. Employee shall be eligible to participate in
Employer's bonus program when implemented to the same extent as other executive
employees of Employer and will be commensurate with the level and nature of
Employee's duties and responsibilities. Employer intends to adopt such a program
prior to the expiration of this Agreement, but makes no further representations
as to the terms of such program or the date such program will be enacted.

Termination of Employment
-------------------------

                  5.1. TERMINATION EVENTS. Employee's employment shall be
terminated prior to the expiration of this Agreement ("Early Termination") upon
the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the mutual written agreement
of Employer and Employee; (ii) Employee's disability, which shall for the
purposes of this Agreement mean Employee's inability due to physical or mental
impairment to perform Employee's duties and obligations under this Agreement,
despite reasonable accommodation by Employer, for a period exceeding three
months; (iii) Employee's death; (iv) notice by Employer of termination for cause
as defined in Section 5.2 below; (iv) written notice of termination by Employer
without cause upon fourteen (14) days' notice, subject to the Compensation Upon
Early Termination provisions of Section 5.3 below.

                  5.2. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. Employer reserves the right to
terminate this Agreement for cause upon (i) Employee's willful and continued
failure substantially to perform his duties and obligations under this Agreement
after written demand for substantial performance has been delivered to Employee
by Employer which sets forth with reasonable specificity the deficiencies in
Employee's performance and giving Employee not less than thirty (30) days to
correct such deficiencies; (ii) fraud or intentional material misrepresentation
by Employee, (iii) unauthorized disclosure or use of Employer's trade secrets or
Confidential Information by Employee; (iv) Employee's conviction of a felony;
(v) theft or conversion of Employer's property by Employee; or (vi) Employee's
habitual misuse of alcohol, illegal narcotics, or other intoxicant.

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                  5.3. COMPENSATION UPON EARLY TERMINATION. Upon early
termination, Employer shall pay Employee compensation as follows.

                           (A) If Employee is terminated by Employer for cause,
voluntarily resigns, dies, or becomes disabled as such term is used in Section
5.1 of this Agreement, Employer shall pay Employee, or Employee's
representative, all accrued but unpaid salary and vacation pay accrued through
the effective date of the termination.

                           (B) If Employee is terminated by Employer without
cause, Employer shall pay to Employee as liquidated damages and in lieu of any
and all other claims which Employee may have against Employer the amount equal
to Employee's monthly base salary multiplied by the number of months remaining
in the term of this Agreement, or payment amount equal to two years of
Employee's Base Salary, which ever is greater. Employer's payment pursuant to
this section shall fully and completely discharge any and all obligations of
Employer to Employee arising out of or related to this Agreement and shall
constitute liquidated damages in lieu of any and all claims which Employee may
have against Employer, not including any obligation under the Worker's
Compensation laws including its Employer's Liability provisions.

                           (C) If Employee is terminated as the result of a
Change in Control and Employee is not employed in the same capacity or being
paid the same Base Salary by the new entity, then Employee shall receive a
severance payment equal to two years of Employee's Base Salary or the balance
remaining to be paid under the terms of this Agreement, whichever is greater. In
addition, if Employee is terminated as the result of a Change in Control and
Employee is not employed in the same capacity by the new entity, Employer agrees
to continue Employee's medical and dental insurance benefits as provided during
Employee's employment with Employer for a period of two years from the effective
date of the Change in Control, except as provided below in Section 5.3(C)(1) and
Section 5.3(C)(2).

                                    (1) Employee agrees that he shall accept any
plan coverage changes that may occur during the two-year period which apply to
all employees in the workforce.

                                    (2) Employee agrees that he will notify
Employer (or any successor of Employer) if he becomes employed in any capacity
with another employer and becomes eligible to receive medical and dental
insurance benefits through that employment prior to the expiration date of the
two-year period set forth in this section. At such time, Employer shall no
longer be obligated to provide Employee with medical and dental insurance
benefits.

         6. UNFAIR COMPETITION. During Employee's employment under this
Agreement, Employee shall not directly or indirectly, whether as a partner,
employee, creditor, shareholder or otherwise, promote or engage in any activity
or other business which is competitive in any way with Employer's business, and
shall not take any action or make any agreement to establish, or become employed
by, a competing business.

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                 Proprietary Information: Confidentiality.
                 ----------------------------------------

                 7.1. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Employee agrees not to disclose
to any others, or take or use for Employee's own purposes or purposes of any
others, during the term of this Agreement, any of Employer's Confidential
Information (as defined below). Employee agrees that these restrictions shall
also apply to (1) Confidential Information belonging to third parties in
Employer's possession and (2) Confidential Information conceived, originated,
discovered or developed by Employee during the term of this Agreement.
"Confidential Information" means any Employer proprietary information, technical
data, trade secrets or know-how, including, but not limited to, research,
product plans, products, services, customer lists and customers, markets,
software, developments, inventions, processes, formulas, technology, designs,
drawings, engineering, marketing, finances or other business information
disclosed to Employee by Employer, either directly or indirectly, in writing,
orally or by drawings, or by observation of products. Confidential Information
does not include any of the foregoing items which has become publicly known and
made generally available through no wrongful act of Employee. Employee further
agrees not to use improperly or disclose or bring onto the premises of Employer
any trade secrets of another person or entity during the term of this Agreement.

                  7.2. RETURN OF PROPERTY. Employee agrees that upon termination
of employment with Employer, Employee will deliver to Employer all devices,
records, data, disks, computer files, notes, reports, proposals, lists,
correspondence, specifications, drawings, blueprints, sketches, materials,
equipment, other documents or property, or reproductions of any aforementioned
items developed by Employee pursuant to employment with Employer or otherwise
belonging to Employer, its successors or assigns.

                  7.3. NONCOMPETITION. Employee shall not use any of the
Confidential Information to compete with Employer in connection with a business
or enterprise of any kind, foreign or domestic, profit or non-profit, as an
investor, partner, shareholder, LLC member, employee, agent, consultant or
independent contractor. Nothing in this Section 7.3 shall be construed to limit
the more general prohibitions against unauthorized use or disclosure of the
Confidential Information contained in other sections of this Agreement.

                  7.4. NOTIFICATION OF NEW EMPLOYER. Employer shall have the
right to notify any actual or potential future employer of Employee of
Employee's rights and obligations under this Section 7 of the Agreement.
Employee expressly authorizes such disclosure and waives any claims Employee may
have against Employer resulting from the disclosure of Employee's obligations
under this Section 7 to an actual or potential future employer of Employee.

                  7.5. OTHER AGREEMENTS. Employee represents that the
performance of all the terms of this Agreement will not breach any agreement to
keep in confidence proprietary information acquired by Employee in confidence or
in trust prior to employment with Employer. Employee has not and shall not enter
into any oral or written agreement in conflict with this Agreement.

                  7.6. EQUITABLE REMEDIES. Employee agrees that it would be
impossible or inadequate to measure and calculate Employer's damages from any
breach of the covenants set

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Forth in this Section 7 of the Agreement. Accordingly, Employer shall have
available, in addition to any other right or remedy available under law or
equity, the right to obtain any injunction from a court of competent
jurisdiction restraining such breach or threatened breach and to specific
performance of any such provision of this Section 7. Employee further agrees
that no bond or other security shall be required in obtaining such equitable
relief and consents to the issuance of such injunction and to the ordering of
specific performance.

         8. MISCELLANEOUS

                  8.1. NOTICES. Any notice under this Agreement shall be in
writing, and any written notice or other document shall be deemed to have been
du1y given (i) on the date of personal service on the parties, (ii) on the third
business day after mailing, if the document is mailed by registered or certified
mail, (iii) one day after being sent by professional or overnight courier or
messenger service guaranteeing one-day delivery, with receipt confirmed by the
courier, or (iv) on the date of transmission if sent by telegram, telex,
telecopy or other means of electronic transmission resu1ting in written copies,
with receipt confirmed. Any such notice shall be delivered or addressed to the
parties at the addresses set forth below or at the most recent address specified
by the addressee through written notice under this provision. Failure to give
notice in accordance with any of the foregoing methods shall not defeat the
effectiveness of notice actually received by the addressee.

                  8.2. ENFORCEMENT. This Agreement shall be interpreted in
accordance with the laws of the State of California and will be adjudicated in
the Superior Court of California in and for the County of EI Dorado. In the
event of any dispute concerning any aspect of the obligations of the Company
under this Agreement, the Company or its successor shall reimburse Employee all
attorney fees and costs incurred by Employee in connection with adjudication of
such matters.

                  8.3. CHOICE OF LAW. JURISDICTION. VENUE. This Agreement is
drawn to be effective in the State of California, and shall be construed in
accordance with California law. The exclusive jurisdiction and venue of any
legal action by either party under this Agreement shall be the County of
Sacramento, California.

                  8.4. AMENDMENT. The provisions of this Agreement may be
modified at any time by agreement of the parties. Any such agreement hereafter
made shall be ineffective to modify this Agreement in any respect unless in
writing and signed by the parties against whom enforcement of the modification
or discharge is sought.

                  8.5. WAIVER. Any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement
may be waived at any time by the party entitled to the benefit thereof, but no
such waiver shall affect or impair the right of the waiving party to require
observance, performance or satisfaction either of that term or condition as it
applies on a subsequent occasion or of any other term or condition.

                  8.6. ASSIGNMENT. The parties agree that Employee's rights and
obligations under this Agreement are personal and not assignable. This Agreement
contains the entire agreement between the parties to it and shall be binding on
and inure to the benefit of the heirs, personal representatives, successors and
assigns of Employer.

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<PAGE>
                  8.7. INDEPENDENT COVENANTS. All provisions herein concerning
unfair competition and confidentiality shall be deemed independent covenants and
shall be enforceable without regard to any breach by Employer unless such breach
by Employer is willful and reckless.

                  8.8. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This document constitutes the entire
agreement between the parties, all oral agreements being merged herein, and
supersedes all prior representations and written agreements. There are no
representations, agreements, arrangements, or understandings, oral or written,
between or among the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement
that are not fully expressed herein.

                  8.9. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is held
by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the
remainder of the Agreement which can be given effect without the invalid
provision shall continue in full force and effect and shall in no way be
impaired or invalidated.

                  8.10. CAPTIONS. All paragraph captions are for reference only
and shall not be considered in construing this Agreement.

DATED:October 1, 2004

THE RICEX COMPANY                                       EMPLOYEE

                                                        /s/ TERRY H. MILLER

                                                        Terry H. Miller,
                                                        Controller

Terrence Barber
Its: Chief Executive Officer

                                        6EXHIBIT 10.20

                             MUTUAL GENERAL RELEASE
                             ----------------------

         This Mutual General Release (this "Agreement") is made and entered into
as of January 27, 2005 by and between Terrence Barber ("Mr. Barber") and The
RiceX Company (the "Company"). Mr. Barber and the Company are sometimes referred
to herein, individually, as a "Party" and, collectively, as the "Parties."

                                    RECITALS
                                    --------

         WHEREAS, Mr. Barber is employed by the Company as its Chief Executive
Officer and serves as a director on its Board of Directors; and

         WHEREAS, Mr. Barber has indicated his desire to resign his employment
by the Company as its Chief Executive Officer, and as a director on its Board of
Directors concurrently with the execution of this Agreement; and

         WHEREAS, Mr. Barber and the Company desire to fully and finally resolve
all matters between them arising out of or related to Mr. Barber's employment
with, and resignation from, the Company on the terms and conditions set forth
herein.

                                    AGREEMENT
                                    ---------

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the
representations contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, Mr. Barber and the
Company agree as follows:

         1.       RESIGNATION. Effective January 28, 2005 (the "Effective
Date"), Mr. Barber will resign from his employment with the Company as Chief
Executive Officer and will resign as a director from the Company's Board of
Directors.

         2.       SEVERANCE. The Company shall pay Mr. Barber One Hundred and
Fifty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($150,000.00) in severance pay, inclusive of
any vacation pay or other amounts which may be owed by the Company to Mr. Barber
pursuant to Company policy, contract or applicable law, on the eighth (8th) day
following Mr. Barber's execution of this Agreement. The Company will issue the
appropriate W-2 form in accordance with state and federal law, and the
regulations of the Internal Revenue Service on the severance monies paid.

         3.       FORM 8-K DISCLOSURES. Mr. Barber shall be provided with an
opportunity to review and approve the proposed disclosures that the Company is
required to make on Form 8-K, and file with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission, that are relevant to his resignation prior to the Company
making such filing. Such approval, however, shall not be unreasonably
conditioned, withheld or delayed. Should Mr. Barber fail to provide his written
comments by January 27, 2005, he will be deemed to have waived his right to
approve the disclosures referred to above in this section. Additionally, by no
later than January 27, 2005,

<PAGE>
Mr. Barber shall provide the Company and its counsel with a letter addressed to
the Company stating that he agrees (or disagrees) with the statements made by
the Company in the Form 8-K.

         4.       STOCK OPTIONS. As set forth in that certain Non-Statutory
Stock Option Agreement (the "Option Agreement"), dated June 25, 2004, Mr. Barber
received options to purchase 300,000 shares of the Company's common stock
pursuant to the Company's 1997 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), of which amount
100,000 options are vested (the "Vested Options") as of the Effective Date. To
the extent not previously exercised, Mr. Barber shall be entitled to exercise
the Vested Options for a period of three (3) years from the Effective Date, upon
and subject to all other terms and conditions of the Option Agreement and the
Plan. The unvested portion of the option granted in the Option Agreement shall
terminate on the Effective Date.

         5.       RELEASE.

                  (a)      Mr. Barber's Release of the Company. Mr. Barber, on
his own behalf, and on behalf of his heirs, executives, administrators,
successors, and assignees, releases by this Agreement the Company and each of
its past and present agents, employees, representatives, officers, directors,
shareholders, attorneys, accountants, insurers, receivers, advisors,
consultants, partners, partnerships, related companies, parents, divisions,
subsidiaries, assigns, successors, heirs, predecessors-in-interest, joint
venturers, and commonly controlled corporations (collectively, "Releasees") from
all liabilities, causes of action, charges, complaints, suits, claims,
obligations, costs, losses, damages, injuries, rights, judgments, attorneys'
fees, expenses, bonds, bills, penalties, fines, and all other legal
responsibilities of any form whatsoever whether known or unknown, whether
suspected or unsuspected, whether fixed or contingent, including those arising
under any theory of law, whether common, constitutional, statutory or otherwise
of any jurisdiction, foreign or domestic, whether known or unknown, whether in
law or in equity, which he had or may claim to have against any of them by
reason of any and all acts or omissions of Releasees from the beginning of time
to the present, including, but not limited to, those arising out of his
employment with and/or separation from the Company. Mr. Barber specifically
releases claims under all applicable city, county, state and federal laws,
including but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as
amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
the Family Medical Leave Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the
Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1986, and the California Fair
Employment and Housing Act, California Labor Code, including Sections 200 et
seq., 970, and 132a, the California Constitution and Civil Code, the Workers'
Compensation Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the California Business and Professions
Code; as well as all common law claims, whether arising in tort or contract,
including, but not limited to, wrongful termination in violation of public
policy, breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair
dealing, intentional interference with contractual relations, intentional
infliction of emotional distress, and discrimination in violation of public
policy (collectively referred to as "Released Matters").

                  (b)      Release of ADEA Claims. The general release above
includes a waiver of rights and claims which Mr. Barber may have arising under
the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (Title 29, United States Code,
Sections 621, et seq.) ("ADEA"). Mr. Barber is advised to consult with his
attorney regarding his waiver of rights and claims

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<PAGE>
under ADEA. Mr. Barber understands that by signing this release, he waives his
rights and claims under ADEA. Mr. Barber understands that he is not waiving his
rights or claims under ADEA that may arise after the effective date of this
fully executed Agreement.

                           Mr. Barber further understands that:

                           (i)      He has a period of up to twenty-one (21)
days from receipt of this Agreement to consider whether he wishes to execute
this Agreement; and

                           (ii)     He has a period of seven (7) days,
commencing with the day after the date of his signature on this Agreement, to
revoke his signature and cancel his agreement to waive his rights under ADEA.
Mr. Barber understands that this Agreement shall not be effective until the
seven-day period has expired.

                  (c)      The Company's Release of Mr. Barber. The Company, on
its own behalf, and on behalf of its successors and assignees, releases by this
Agreement Mr. Barber and his past and present agents, representatives,
attorneys, accountants, insurers, advisors, consultants, partners, assigns,
successors, heirs, predecessors-in-interest, and joint venturers (collectively,
"Releasees") from all liabilities, causes of action, charges, complaints, suits,
claims, obligations, costs, losses, damages, injuries, rights, judgments,
attorneys' fees, expenses, bonds, bills, penalties, fines, and all other legal
responsibilities of any form whatsoever whether known or unknown, whether
suspected or unsuspected, whether fixed or contingent, including those arising
under any theory of law, whether common, constitutional, statutory or otherwise
of any jurisdiction, foreign or domestic, whether known or unknown, whether in
law or in equity, which it had or may claim to have against any of them by
reason of any and all acts or omissions of Releasees from the beginning of time
to the present, including, but not limited to, those arising out of Mr. Barber's
employment with and/or separation from the Company. The Company specifically
releases claims under all applicable city, county, state and federal laws, as
well as all common law claims, whether arising in tort or contract, including,
but not limited to, breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and
fair dealing, and intentional interference with contractual relations (also
collectively referred to as "Released Matters").

         6.       NO CLAIMS OR ACTIONS. Mr. Barber and the Company agree that
they will not bring against each other any claim or action, civil or criminal,
before any state or federal agency, court or other tribunal in any jurisdiction,
which relates in any way to any and all matters, including the Released Matters
set forth in Sections 5 through 8 herein, from the beginning of time to the
present, including, but not limited to, Mr. Barber's employment with and/or
resignation from the Company. In addition, the Parties shall not authorize,
approve or assist any third party to take any action that either Party is
prohibited from taking pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

         7.       WAIVER OF UNKNOWN CLAIMS. With respect to the Released Matters
described herein, Mr. Barber and the Company expressly waive any and all rights
under Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, and any like provision or
principal of common law in any foreign jurisdiction. Section 1542 provides as
follows:

                  SECTION 1542. [CERTAIN CLAIMS NOT AFFECTED BY GENERAL RELEASE]
                  A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT

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<PAGE>
                  EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT
                  TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE,
                  WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS
                  SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.

         8.       RELEASE OF DOUBTFUL AND DISPUTED CLAIMS. Notwithstanding the
provisions of Section 1542, and for the purpose of implementing a full and
complete release and discharge of all matters released herein, including the
Released Matters, Mr. Barber and the Company expressly acknowledge that this
Agreement is intended to include, without limitation, claims and causes of
action which they do not know or suspect to exist in their favor at the time of
execution hereof, and that this Agreement contemplates extinguishment of all
such claims and causes of action.

         9.       THE PARTIES' PREVIOUSLY EXECUTED CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
AGREEMENT. Notwithstanding the execution of this fully integrated Agreement, to
the fullest extent permitted by law, the Parties expressly agree to remain bound
by the terms and provisions of the Confidential Information Agreement executed
by the Parties on or about June 14, 2004 except that, as consideration for Mr.
Barber's covenants and promises contained herein, the Company hereby agrees to
waive any and all contractual rights it possesses pursuant to Section 3(b)(1) of
the aforementioned Confidential Information Agreement, and the parties agree
that the last sentence of Section 3(b) hereby is deleted. Upon execution of this
Agreement, Section 3(b)(1) of the Confidential Information Agreement shall be
null and void and of no force and effect. Such terms and provisions of the
Confidential Information Agreement are expressly incorporated by reference
herein and a copy of that agreement has been attached hereto as EXHIBIT "A". The
Company expressly reserves any common law or other rights it may have with
respect to the subject matters of the Parties Confidential Information
Agreement, including Section 3(b)(1).

         10.      RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY. Mr. Barber acknowledges that in
the course and scope of his job responsibilities, he was provided with certain
Company property, including, but not limited to, the following: a 2004 BMW 745
series automobile (the "BMW Automobile"), a laptop computer, a flat screen
monitor, a computer stand and a replicator. Mr. Barber further acknowledges that
he had access to, and was provided, certain files, in written and software form,
pertaining to the Company, as well as certain books, and/or records of the
Company. Mr. Barber hereby agrees to return to the Company immediately upon
execution of this Agreement the following: (i) the aforementioned Company
property, including, but not limited to, the execution and delivery of an
assignment in form and content acceptable to Barber and the Company to transfer
leasehold title to the BMW Automobile and the payment obligation therefor to the
Company; (ii) any other equipment or Company property whether or not provided to
him by the Company and whether or not listed herein; (iii) all books, records
and/or files of the Company, in whatever form; and (iv) any other confidential
and/or proprietary documents and/or information in his possession, custody or
control. It is agreed that the Company shall have no obligation to fulfill its
obligations hereunder unless and until Mr. Barber fully complies with the
provisions of this section to the satisfaction of the Company.

         11.      NON-DISPARAGEMENT. The Parties on their own behalf and behalf
of successors and assignees agree that they will not publish or communicate in
any way any information or

                                        4
<PAGE>
opinions intended or likely to damage the business or personal reputations of
the other Party.

         12.      FULL AND INDEPENDENT KNOWLEDGE. Mr. Barber represents that he
has thoroughly read this Agreement; that he fully understands all of the
provisions of this Agreement; that he agrees to its terms; and that he is
voluntarily entering into this Agreement.

         13.      NO RELIANCE. Mr. Barber represents and acknowledges that in
executing this Agreement, he does not rely and has not relied upon any
representations or statements made by the Company, or by any of its agents,
representatives or attorneys, with regard to the subject matter, basis or effect
of this Agreement or otherwise, other than as specifically stated in this
written Agreement.

         14.      NO ADMISSION OF WRONGDOING. This Agreement effects the
settlement of any actual or potential disputes between the Parties which are
denied and contested, and nothing contained herein should be construed as an
admission by either Party of any liability of any kind whatsoever with respect
thereto. All such liability is expressly denied.

         15.      BINDING. This Agreement shall be binding upon Mr. Barber and
upon his heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors and
assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of Releasees, and each of them, and to
their heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors and assigns,
upon whom this Agreement shall also be binding.

         16.      CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT.

                  (a)      Choice of Law. This Agreement is made and entered
into in the State of California, and shall in all respects be interpreted,
enforced and governed by and under the laws of the State of California.

                  (b)      No Modifications Unless In Writing. The Parties to
this Agreement agree that any modification of this Agreement must be in writing
signed by Mr. Barber and the Company, and must refer specifically to this
Agreement and the provisions modified. No other modifications will be valid.

                  (c)      Invalid Agreement Provisions. Should any provision of
this Agreement and/or any attachments hereto become legally unenforceable, no
other provision of this Agreement and/or any attachments hereto shall be
affected, and this Agreement and any attachments shall be construed as if they
had never included the unenforceable provision.

                  (d)      No Other Agreements. Except as expressly set forth
herein, this Agreement, including any attachments hereto, shall be and
constitute a full, complete, unconditional and immediate substitution for any
and all rights, claims, demands and causes of action whatsoever, which
heretofore existed or might have existed on behalf of any Party against any
other Party and their successors, predecessors, subsidiaries, affiliates,
parents, shareholders, partners, employees, agents, officers and directors.
Except as expressly set forth herein, this Agreement, including any attachments
hereto, supersedes any and all agreements, whether written or oral, that may
have previously existed between the Parties and constitutes the entire and
complete agreement of the Parties relating in any way to the subject matter
hereof. No statements, promises or representations have been made by any Party
to any other, or relied

                                        5
<PAGE>
upon, and no consideration has been offered, promised, expected or held out
other than as may be expressly provided herein.

                  (e)      Attorneys' Fees. Each Party is to bear their own
attorneys' fees and costs in connection with the negotiation and the preparation
of this Agreement and the matters related thereto. If any action or proceeding
is brought to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the Party who is
determined to be the prevailing party in such matter shall be entitled to
reasonable attorneys' fees, costs and necessary disbursements, in addition to
any other relief to which that Party may be entitled.

                  (f)      Further Assurances. The Parties shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver all such additional instruments, and shall all take such
further actions, as may be necessary or appropriate to make effective the
matters contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (g)      Headings. Headings contained in this Agreement are
for convenience only and shall not be used in the interpretation of this
Agreement. Unless otherwise specified, references herein to sections are to be
sections of this Agreement. As used herein, the singular includes the plural,
and vice versa.

                  (h)      Practices Inconsistent with this Agreement. No
provision of this Agreement shall be modified or construed by any practice that
is inconsistent with such provision, and failure by Mr. Barber or Releasees to
comply with any provision, or to require another Party to comply with any
provision, shall not affect the rights of any Party thereafter to comply or
require the other to comply.

                  (i)      Agreement Jointly Negotiated. Each of the Parties
acknowledge that this Agreement was jointly negotiated and reviewed and approved
by them and their respective attorneys of record. The Agreement shall not be
construed by any court of law or equity against any Party solely by virtue of
any Party having drafted this Agreement.

         17.      EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed and
delivered in two or more counterparts, each of which, when so executed and
delivered, shall be the original, but such counterparts together shall
constitute but one and the same instrument.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first set forth above.

                                /s/ TERRENCE BARBER
                                -----------------------------------------------
                                Terrence Barber

                                THE RICEX COMPANY

                                By:  /s/ IKE LYNCH
                                     ------------------------------------------

                                Its:  CEO
                                     ------------------------------------------

                                        6

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