More food growers needed but seed laws may be restrictive by YourEnchantedGardener .....
More food growers needed but seed laws may be restrictive
Date: 8/25/2014 11:52:50 AM ( 10 y ago)
MORE FOOD GROWERS NEEDED BUT SEED LAWS MAY BE RESTRICTIVE
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=2199135
August 25, 2014
6:32 pm
Many More food growers needed but seed laws may be restrictive
From a seeds point of view, from an heirloom seeds point of view, many more food growers are needed. I'm referring specifically to healthy food, grown with original seeds. Original seeds are heirloom seeds. They are not seeds that have grown out by genetically modified modern bio technology principles, Healthy food is grown In sync with nature's original technology that includes awareness for healthy soil and the participation of other natural elements and life forms.
In recent weeks beginning with communications between the Pennsylvania department of agriculture and Simpson seed library of Mechanicsburg, PA,
Many more people in the United States entered a conversation about seed saving. Support for seed libraries, and GMO education.
Many more people became aware that there are now seeds libraries in public libraries. There are also seed libraries that work in coordination with public libraries. One of the primary intentions of Seed Libraries as they have existed is to create seed banks, repositories for locally adapted seeds to enhance food security. All this may be shifting to some degree now.
Johnny Zook, seed program supervisor for the Department of Agriculture lives near Nick Mechanicsburg, PA, home of the Simpson Seed Library that began on Earth Day 2014.
He saw some of the local publicity. He was aware of Seed Laws that govern seed distribution. His concern was that in receiving back seeds from the harvest of freely giving seeds, Seed Libraries would be classified as seed distributors.
He and others met july 8 to come up with protocols so that the seed library could continue to function within the seed law guidelines. No one in attendance expressed that a functions of seed libraries was to help develop locally adapted seeds to support local food security.
He was concerned that seed libraries would become very popular and that it was important for them to be aware of the seed laws.
In subsequent conversations, I helped him become aware of the additional needs of seed libraries to develop local banks of locally adapted seeds.
His primary request for Pennsylvania is that the public libraries
With seed Banks will function interdependently with the library , the library serving to host the independent members who will develop their own independent infrastructure as seed depositories.
That is….in Pennsylvania. It appears that Seed Laws in other states, including California are stricter. According to CA law…
This article expresses some concerns
WHAT THE SMALL-TIME SELLERS OF SEED NEED TO KNOW BEFORE THEY SELL SEED IN CALIFORNIA
by John Heaton, Senior Agricultural Biologist, California Department of Food and Agriculture, Nursery, Seed and Cotton
For example, the California Seed Law requires persons selling agricultural and vegetable seed to obtain authorization from the Secretary of Agriculture before they sell such seed, regardless of the amount [F&C Division 18, Chapter 2 Section 52351]. The Food and Agriculture code defines “sell” as offering for sale, exposing for sale, possessing for sale, exchanging, bartering, or trading seed. Persons selling agricultural or vegetable seed in California without authorization are in violation of Section 52351 and are subject to enforcement actions by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
I received this from Johnny Zook on Aug 22.
This looks like Seed Law in CA would make seed exchanges needing to have permits.
Note that this article says that individuals can seed save, but even garden clubs cannot sell seeds without being in sync with CA seed law.
http://www.seedquest.com/forum/h/HeatonJohn/default.htm
In Pennsylvania, as of this writing now, August 25, 2014, The public library will continue to offer new seeds under the protocols that were accepted by the Simpson Library.
The accepted Protocols say:
August 05, 2014 7:15 pm(0) Comments
Here is the draft protocol for seed libraries that was prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the Cumberland County Library System.
I. Library procures licensed and properly labeled seed to give away to its patrons
How the library assembles this initial seed library is up to them
solicit patrons, local volunteer groups, social groups, churches, etc. for seed packets meeting their specifications (traditional, heirloom, organic, etc.)
monetary donations to purchase seeds from local retail stores in community
seeds donated by local retail stores or seed distributors
II. Patrons “check out” seeds from the seed library
Library gathers participant’s contact information as a member of the “Library Seed Club” (or whatever name the library chooses to call this group)
Library provides simple “informational cards” for each type of seed given out
Library provides information on seed-saving and saving/storage techniques
III. Club members take the seeds home and plant and grow them
Care for and harvest seeds doing their best to follow library guidelines for producing good seeds
Fill out informational cards provided by the library to help the next growers know what they are getting and any other useful information
IV. Library establishes mid-season and/or post-season seed swap day(s)
Library acts as a meeting place for individuals to swap or trade harvested/saved seeds with other members
The library promotes that these seeds be planted the next season and any resulting harvested seeds be used in the next season’s seed swap(s)
Returns to the library will not be allowed. Members may only check out/trade/swap seeds with each other.
THIS IS AN STORY IN THE SENTINEL OF AUGUST 5 2014 THAT PRINTS ONLINE THE PROTOCOLS
http://cumberlink.com/proposed-seed-library-protocol/article_6f812cb0-1cf3-11e4-ac2d-0019bb2963f4.html
Early Stories created a Viral Storm
When these communications were reported in the press,
the initial story sparked a tidal wave of vital activity. Seed libraries were concerned about their legal status.
Hopefully, as time distances us from the initial misunderstandings, many more gardeners will see that the Pennsylvania department bore them no desire to crackdown or shutdown seed libraries; However, I can see now that the strategy to get a clearer understanding of what the individual Seed Laws in each state are saying is very important.
Truly, seed libraries and their educators will help departments of Ag across our county come to see the vital contribution they intend to make to local food security and inspiring more of us to grow our own food with healthy seeds.
Leslie goldman
Your enchanted gardener
Plant your dream blog
LINKS
WE NEED SEED SAVERS IN EVERY COMMUNITY
Where to find out more about seed libraries and to join the
http://seedlibraries.org/page/why-seed-libraries-1
SIGNATURE FOR PLANTING CLARITY! SIMPSON SEED LIBRARY-DEPARTMENT OF AG COMMUNICATIONS
I ordered some memorability from the Simpson Public Library site that arrived August 18, 2014. I would like to take these to The National Heirloom Expo September 9,10,11 in Santa Rosa, Ca, where I will teach as well as participate in a National Seed Library Summit. I went into the garden to plant Ancient Grains of Kamut ® Khorasan wheat today that had been sprouting during the last week. I am planting seeds for clarity around the Simpson Seed Library-Department of Ag Communications. May good come from the communication. May all our work pave the way for Seed Libraries to continue to flourish with the well wishes of all. May a National Conversation emerge in support of Seed Saving, Support for Seed Libraries, and GMO Education. I wrote Plant Your Dream Blogs to contribute to this clarity and good outcomes. Today, I heard from Johnny Zook, Seed Program Supervisor, Penn Department of Ag, and Jonelle Darr, Cumberland County Executive Director, home of the Simpson Seed Library. Darr thanked me for attempting to correct the facts and said, "From what I could see, the information that you have regarding my statements, and the library's actions are correct." Johnny Zook said he liked the story and that I included what needed to be told regarding their communications. Here is the story, "Planting Clarity! Simpson Seed Library and Ag Dept Wrap Up," "Planting Clarity! Simpson Seed Library and Ag Dept Wrap Up," --Leslie Goldman, Your Enchanted Gardener, August 18, 2014.
PLANTING CLARITY! SIMPSON SEED LIBRARY AND AG DEPT WRAP UP
"Most Comprehensive view on the Seed Library situation yet! Better than the national reports, @YourEG Thanks!"--Devon Grissim
" http://curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2196853
SEED PROTOCOL DISCUSSION GROUP NOTES
My strategy when I wrote this was that seed library leaders could work toward a national protocol, building upon the protocols accepted by the Simpson Seed Library. I realize that there are restrictive laws in some states such as CA, that appear to block seed exchanges….the legal minds truly need to be at work here. For the states that are more lenient, I feel the Protocols need to be developed as well as looking toward changes where Seed Laws are needed.
August 25, 2014.
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=2197727
PLANTING SEEDS FOR A NATIONAL CONVERSATION
http://curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2193937
AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA ASKING FOR SUPPORT FOR SEED LIBRARIES AND GMO EDUCATION
http://curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2193991
HELPING UNCLE SAM MARRY AUNTIE (ANTI) GMO
http://curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2181365
TEACHINGS FOR THE NATIONAL HEIRLOOM EXPO FROM LESLIE GOLDMAN 2014
Helping Uncle Sam Marry Auntie (Auntie) GMO
at 11:30 Tuesday, September 9, in Kraft Hall.
Growing a Healthier Pizza with Plant Your Dream Seeds, with the youth, at 12:15-12:45 pm,, Wed, September 10, 2014 in the Educational & Fun Area.
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=2197699
COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE SIMPSON LIBRARY AND THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AG ON THE SIMPSON LIBRARY SITE
The Simpson Public Library has done a wonderful job of detailing the main communications about the unfoldment of these events.
http://www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org/?q=SIM_SeedLibrary
This Art, How Fast Can a Dream Grow! As Fast as a Blade of Grass! is the centerpiece of our Grow A Healthier Pizza Campaign. Canvas copies are available. Contact me, 619.384.2631.
A GROWING NUMBER OF SEED LIBRARIES NOW EXIST IN MANY PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
This is the way the Seed Library has been working;
Seed libraries, often located in public libraries or other community gathering points, are institutions created for the purpose of sharing seeds. The idea is that a library patron can “check-out” seeds to grow themselves, let “go-to-seed”, and then return seeds to the library to share with other community members. The seeds circulated at lending libraries are usually regionally-adapted and heirloom (unlike most commercial “hybrid” seeds, so that the next generation of seeds will produce plants similar to the parent plant). The purpose of most seed libraries is to provide an alternative to genetically modified seeds, increase biodiversity and plant resilience, and reconnect local people with their food systems.
More about Seed Libraries are found on the seed library social network site
RETURNING SEEDS TO THE SIMPSON LIBRARY
The issue that surfaced through interactions between the Simpson Seed Library and the Pennsylvania Department of Ag was the problem of returning seeds to the Public Library Seed Library. This brought the Seed Library under regulation through the Seed Law of Pennsylvania that has specific rules for seed distributors, Many States have similar seed laws that mirror a Federal seed Law.
MANY SEED LIBRARIES BECAME CONCERNED WHEN THE STORY ABOUT THE SIMPSON SEED LIBRARY AND ITS INTERACTIONS WITH THE PENN DEPARTMENT OF AG WENT VIRAL
David King, who founded the Seed Library of Los Angeles, asks the question in one recent Post, "Are Seed Libraries Illegal?" He is heavily quoted on other subjects in Naomi Cleason's August 5 story in the Carlisle Sentinel "Pa. department backs seed library protocol as reaction grows" . Others are exploring, "Setting the Record Straight on the Legality of Seed Libraries".
NATIONAL SEED LIBRARY SUMMIT
There will also be a National Seed Library Summit
at this Heirloom Expo scheduled for 4-6 pm, Wed, September 10. I want to meet some of the leaders. More details will be forthcoming.
9:50 am-12:49 pm
August 25, 2014
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