Could your state ban seed libraries?

After reading several articles and doing some leg work it seems there is a very big issue of the legality of seed libraries.  Early last year I had a short discussion with a local growing and sustainability advocate and friend, Abby.  We discussed a long list of topics one being the possibility of utilizing our local libraries wasted cabinet space with building a seed library, using local grown plants, heirlooms and other excess seeds from other residents to generate stock.  Not a bad idea for an economically disadvantaged city of 50,000 who for the most part are progressive thinking.

Since that time I have been researching on the possibilities of starting this concept then I come across some legal issues, then this article that really sums up the problem we are potentially encountering.  I won’t go as far as the author and say there is agri-terrorism involved or acknowledge it is real, but there is a real problem with hybridization and mono-permaculture farming that does place the food sources at jeopardy.

Read these two articles and we will get to the technical stuff next

Department of Ag Cracks down on Seed Libraries

The Simpson Seed Library before its opening this past April. Credit: Rebecca Swanger

Setting the record straight on the legality of seed libraries

The problem with the many commercially available seeds at your garden center is hybridization.  Often the seeds are single generational varieties that will grow once and future seeds will be either sterile and not produce fruit or not even produce a viable plant.  Heirloom species come with their own inherent problems such as the inability to handle infestation or prone to blight or other fungal problems, most can be remedied by using companion planting. 

While I find the department of ag’s argument weak at best, it could be a possibility that agri-terrorism is a real threat on a national level, not a local one.  Would their methodology not be to taint wide spread commercially available seed products?  Or is it more effective to taint packets of 100 seeds?

These seed banks are put together by residents and neighbors wanting to utilize this type of service and harvesting seeds from plants can be difficult and time consuming.  Most of us who do save generational seeds (especially for all those lovely hot peppers we grow) it is a skill and has its risks.  Again that would be just having seeds that do not produce.  The thought that they would be poisonous plant seeds is ridiculous since when I harvest zucchini or cucumber seeds the worst possible thing that can happen is I mix up the two.  If I happen to mix up a carrot or a Queen Ann’s lace, well they are both edible, the same family but obviously the root will be different.  The fact that the seeds are not sold from the bank or library should right there be exempt from the state or feds regulations.

All in all this is another step of ridiculousness of government overreach; they will allow open genetic modification of plant stock but not allow a seed library.  I say keep trading and keep saving those seeds.

Happy gardening, farming and eating!