Weber led COSI's rise to seed industry leadership Central Oregon Seeds Inc. has been key in making Jefferson County a seed production hub After 42 years as managing partner of Central Oregon Seeds Inc., Mike Weber turned 70 and retired Jan. 31 from a job that helped establish Jefferson County as an innovative specialty crop area. He will still remain a partner and on the board of directors. Weber grew up in El Paso, Texas, and later earned a master's degree in plant nutrition at Oregon State University. In 1976, he came to Madras and worked three years as an OSU extension agent specializing in crops and soils.