With all the publicity generated by Hobo Wells Hydroponics it caught the attention of Alexander Black, of GeoProducts based in Oakland. With what seemed a blink of an eye, GeoProducts secured a lease to 3,000 acres directly across from Hobo Wells. GeoProducts named this venture Honey Lake Hydroponic Farms. Their technique would be somewhat similar to Hobo Wells, though they would use cold water containing 16 nutrients to feed the plants.

In 1977, GeoProducts constructed 30 greenhouses similar to Hobo Wells, which by way was dormant. On other hand, Black, like so many promoters of developments on the east side of the Honey Lake Valley, suffered from illusions of grandeur. According to Black the company would build a total of 150 greenhouses,. Next on the list a power plant, which would enable to build 700 greenhouses. Also in works, their own alfalfa ranch, and a alfalfa dehydration plant. Such a large scale operation would need housing for its employees, since Wendel with a mere population of 30 could not accommodate. With that in mind in 1979, plans were in the works for 200 home community, exclusively powered by geothermal energy.

Any visitor today to Wendel, knows that these proposals never materialized. Just by the early 1980s, like Hobo Wells, GeoProducts abandoned their operation. There seems to be one general consensus, one problem it was too costly to transport the tomatoes to a large outside market.

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