Monsanto Linked Seed Co.'s to Avoid

[FarmerCathy]

I was thinking we should make a list and have it as a sticky so we could make it easier to avoid these seed companies if you so desire.
To give a little background about Monsanto if you don't already know. They develop and sell GMO (genetically modified organisms) seeds. Seeds that have live animals cells in them. These GMO plants threaten to spread by cross-pollinating and therefore contaminating our open pollinated seed just like that of rice seed that several countries won't buy from the US anymore. Monsanto scientists -- makers of dioxin, Agent Orange, genetically modified crops, round-up ready soybeans, and terminator seeds.

Here's the list so far. Please add to it. This will be the master list so when someone opens it they are listed all at the top. This way we can keep a discussion going if we want to.

• Audubon Workshop
• Breck's Bulbs
• Burpee
• Cook's Garden
• Dege Garden Center
• E & R Seed Co
• Earl May Seed
• Flower of the Month Club
• Gardens Alive
• Garden Trends
• Germania Seed Co
• HPS
• Johnny's Seeds
• Jungs
• Lindenberg Seeds
• McClure and Zimmerman Quality Bulb Brokers
• Mountain Valley Seed
• Nichol’s
• Osborne
• Park Seed
• Park Bulbs
• Park's Countryside Garden
• R.H. Shumway
• Rocky Mountain Seed Co
• Roots and Rhizomes
• Rupp
• Seeds for the World
• Seymour's Selected Seeds
• Snow
• Spring Hill Nurseries
• Stokes
• T&T Seeds
• The Vermont Bean Seed Company
• Tomato Growers Supply
• Totally Tomato
• Vermont Bean Seed Co.
• Wayside Gardens
• Willhite Seed Co.

Also look at
http://us.seminis.com/products/dealer.asp?territory=119 (Western US)
http://us.seminis.com/products/dealer.asp?territory=118 (Eastern US)
http://us.seminis.com/products/dealer.asp?territory=117 (Canada)

[Owen'nZoe]

Added one more...

• Territorial Seeds
• Totally Tomato
• Vermont Bean Seed Co.
• Burpee
• Cook's Garden
• Johnny's Seeds
• Jungs

[serenetabbie]

Excellent idea. Thanks for posting this. When I think of some more I will add them too.

[MissMommyNiceNice]

Are all Jungs seeds gmo? I was looking at the catalog (filled w/ lots of naughty invasive plants! ) but they did have some currants and elderberries and I was considering getting one or two plants for jelly purposes...just wondering!

[FarmerCathy]

No, not nec. but either this co. is owned by Monsanto or buys seed from them. So, depending on how you feel about supporting a co. that is associated with them is totally up to you.

You could probably find both plants locally.

[Owen'nZoe]

Originally Posted by MissMommyNiceNice

Are all Jungs seeds gmo? I was looking at the catalog (filled w/ lots of naughty invasive plants! ) but they did have some currants and elderberries and I was considering getting one or two plants for jelly purposes...just wondering!

And FWIW, I do still buy from Jungs, because they are my local nursery. And I have their elderberries and currants, and I've been happy with both.

[FarmerCathy]

Originally Posted by Owen'nZoe

And FWIW, I do still buy from Jungs, because they are my local nursery. And I have their elderberries and currants, and I've been happy with both.

I would just be wary about buying hybrid seeds from them, they probably have fine rootstock.
I just wanted to make a thread so that people could make informed decisions without having to ask about every single co. This way we can have a master list we can add to.

[MissMommyNiceNice]

great idea, fc! I HATE the whole naty gmo seed thing...I live in farm country and the nasty little seed signs sticking out of the fields bug the bejeezus out of me!

[Owen'nZoe]

Originally Posted by FarmerCathy

I would just be wary about buying hybrid seeds from them, they probably have fine rootstock.
I just wanted to make a thread so that people could make informed decisions without having to ask about every single co. This way we can have a master list we can add to.

True, true...and sorry to derail your thread, Cathy. I think it is a great idea!

Also, just found this...according to Seminis, the following are also customers:

• Earl May Seed
  Gardens Alive
  Lindenberg Seeds
  Mountain Valley Seed
  Park Seed
  T&T Seeds
  Tomato Growers Supply
  Willhite Seed Co.

[FarmerCathy]

Oooh, I had a feeling about Garden's Alive.

[gwerydd]

this is a great idea, thanks so much.

[lmonter]

Originally Posted by FarmerCathy

Oooh, I had a feeling about Garden's Alive.

Well crap. I was intrigued by some of their pest stuff.

[ShadowMom]

Could someone link me to an article or something that would explain what this is all about? I have heard about Monsanto's evilness in other ways but I haven't heard about the organisms thing.

[FarmerCathy]

I put some more info at the top about Monsanto, but I don't have any links yet. Let me research that. Anyone else have any Monsanto articles?

Here is one: http://www.organicconsumers.org/mons...paganda723.cfm

This one is a little older, but still has good info. This one has specific info on the organisms part. http://www.monsantosucks.com/Newsnviews/bio-serf.htm

[FarmerCathy]

Can we make this a sticky? What does everyone else think?

[lmonter]

I vote for making it a sticky.

I haven't searched the links yet because my kids are trying to destroy the DVD player, but are Heirloom Acre Seeds or Henry Fields affiliated with Monsanto? *sigh*

[Manonash]

Another vote for sticky! maybe we could combine this with the thread about which companies don't have ties, so we would know which ones to avoid and which ones to use?

[FarmerCathy]

That's a good idea.

[beka1977]

Could you post sources for your information?

This comes straight from Territorial's website:

Safe Seed Pledge
Agriculture and seeds provide the basis upon which our lives depend. We must protect this foundation as a safe and genetically stable source for future generations. For the benefit of all farmers, gardeners and consumers who want an alternative, we pledge that we do not knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants. The mechanical transfer of genetic material outside of natural reproductive methods and between genera, families or kingdoms, poses great biological risks as well as economic, political, and cultural threats. We feel that genetically engineered varieties have been insufficiently tested prior to public release. More research and testing is necessary to further assess the potential risks of genetically engineered seeds. Further, we wish to support agricultural progress that leads to healthier soils, genetically diverse agricultural ecosystems and ultimately people and communities.

I would be interested to know why you feel this isn't accurate.

[FarmerCathy]

Monsanto Company to Acquire Seminis, Inc., a Leading Vegetable and Fruit Seed Company.

Johnny’s, Territorial, Fedco, Nichol’s, Rupp, Osborne, Snow, and Stokes are among the dozens of commercial and garden seed catalogs that carry the more than 3,500 varieties that comprise Seminis’ offerings.

Here's the whole article. http://www.seedalliance.org/index.ph...nto&print=true

It's not to say that Territorial sells GMO seeds, but they do buy seeds from Seminis which is owned by Monsanto. So, if you want to avoid giving money to Monsanto then you should avoid Territorial.

My point being is showing how bad Monsanto is and in doing so an incentive not to buy from companies that put money in thier pockets.

I read in the latest Countryside mag an article about studies that have been done on livestock as well as raccoons that raid corn feilds. They either will flat out not eat the GMO corn or will always choose conventional corn over GMO corn if they have a choice. Pretty interesting. It's like they can taste how different and how bad it is.