Category Archives: Seed Industry

Talking Sustainable Seed Systems at the Heirloom Expo

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Jared Zystro

The first National Heirloom Expo ended last Thursday on a high note with Vandana Shiva explaining the vital need for sustainable seed systems, comparing seed to Gandhi’s spinning wheel as objects of independence in the face of imperialism. Over 10,000 … Continue reading →

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The President and Seed

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Kristina Hubbard

Cross-posted from Daily Yonder Last week President Obama held a town hall meeting on the grounds of Iowa’s Seed Savers Exchange, an organization dedicated to saving and sharing heirloom seeds. The stop was part of a larger strategy to appeal … Continue reading →

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An Open Letter from Dr. John Navazio

Posted on June 24, 2011 by John Navazio

As a geneticist and plant breeder who specializes in breeding crops that are adapted environmental stresses using classical plant breeding techniques, I was very heartened to read such a powerful argument for the effectiveness and success of using this kind … Continue reading →

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NOP Releases Draft Guidance on Organic Seed

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Kristina Hubbard

Yesterday, the National Organic Program (NOP) released its draft guidance (opens PDF) on the commercial availability of organic seed. This is a much anticipated document given that the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) made recommendations (opens PDF) in 2005 and … Continue reading →

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This Weekend! Seed Events at the Mother Earth News Fair

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Kristina Hubbard

Learn more about the Mother Earth News fair in Puyallup, WA, here. SATURDAY, JUNE 4 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. Seed Basics: What is F1, OP, PVP, Treated, Etc. Ira Wallace, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Organic Gardening Stage Good seed is … Continue reading →

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Confronting Patents on Plants

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Kristina Hubbard

Last month, the Public Patent Foundation filed a lawsuit on behalf of 60 family farmers, seed businesses, and organic agriculture organizations against Monsanto. The case, Organic Seed Growers & Trade Association, et al. v. Monsanto, challenges some of the company’s … Continue reading →

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Confronting Concentration

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Kristina Hubbard

A recent article in The Organic & Non-GMO Report shares the perspective of an Iowa farmer named Jason Wells who grows non-GE and some certified organic field crops. The article discusses the yield advantage he found with non-GE seed varieties, … Continue reading →

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Cornell Breeders, Farmers Bring Resistant Varieties to Market

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Kristina Hubbard

Cross-posted from OFRF Learn about new varieties Cornell University breeders are bringing to the marketplace for organic systems: “Based on the needs voiced by organic vegetable producers, breeding programs were initiated several years ago in cucumbers, melons, bell peppers and … Continue reading →

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Farmer Reflects on the Promise of Participatory Breeding

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Kristina Hubbard

Tom Willey of T&D Willey Farms reflects on his trip to Organicology earlier this month and lessons learned in the important role he and other farmers play in “recapturing immensely valuable” varieties. This blog post is cross-posted from EcoFarm. I … Continue reading →

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Mother Earth News: Interest in Local, Organic Seed on Rise

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Kristina Hubbard

Mother Earth News recently published results from an organic garden seed survey provided to about 200 seed companies in the U.S. and Canada. Results show increased interest in locally and organically produced seed. Mother Earth News reports: About a dozen … Continue reading →

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