AS POSTED ON MY FACEBOOK
@rareseeds @Your EG @seedlibraries Simpson Library Research is reflected in this #Plantyourdreamblog http://www.curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2196853 One of the most controversial events of 2014 occurred in Mechanicsburg, PA, where a well meaning Dept of Ag employee, Johnnie Zook, turned his attention on the nearby Simpson Library. I personally sea a time when there will be thousands upon thousands of seed libraries across the United States as our nation returns to being a nation of small gardeners with communities having individual seed libraries and seed banks. I am sorry that the Seed Libraries movement, somewhat small at this time, mobilized to defend itself against departments of ag and their reps. The intent of Jonnie Zook was never to harm but to show Seed Libraries how to either work within existing seed laws or work outside of them through creating protocols that would work for everyone. I personally would not want to put seeds in the hands of every gardener without guidance and rules. I once met a very influential person in San Diego. She wanted to be part of one of the leading farm school projects I admire in our county. I got my feathers riled when I heard her say she would rather see kids growing food, even if that meant they were growing GMO seeds. I do feel seeds need to be labeled and I do feel seeds need to be guaranteed true to what the package says. I do believe that individual seed libraries can have seed banks that cultivate seeds unique to their regions. I feel a national conversation of seed saving and GMO seed proliferation needs to happen. One of my Seed Dreams, and I want to express that here, is that Johnnie Zook is officially invited to speak at the 2015 The National Heirloom Exposition. The Dialogue I envision will only happen when all concerned, both in gov and the smallest of seed libraries sit down together and get to know one another as people. This lengthy #plantyourdreamblog was intended to be a research piece. I hope it helps Plant Clarity. Many of the emails from Johnnie Zook were made public on the Plant Your Dream Blogs. I am here to encourage the open hearted communication that is needed between all concerned. FYI Rick Passo Seed Library Las Vegas
PLANTING CLARITY
Planting Clarity! Simpson Seed Library and Ag Dept Wrap Up
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
http://curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2196853
Planting Clarity! Simpson Seed Library and Ag Dept Wrap Up: I have been writing about events with the Simpson Seed Library and Pennsylvania Department of Ag for a number of weeks. This is my wrap-up addressing What the Seed Libraries need to do to come into alignment with current Seed Laws. I report on my conversations with Johnny Zook, the Seed Program Rep. I am aiming to clarify some of the information that created a Viral firestorm.
Date: 8/15/2014 8:20:11 PM ( 6 mon ) ... viewed 2000 times
http://www.curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2196853
February 25, 2015
12:30 pm
RELATED
FROM JOHNNIE ZOOK
FEBRUARY 25,2015
Swapping seeds? There’s a law for that
Agreement reached
The protocol agreed upon by both parties, Zook said, allows the Simpson Library to operate its seed-swap program “outside the purview of the Seed Act,” while ultimately still being subject to it.
“Before, the library was collecting all the seed, organizing it and putting into a catalogue,” Zook said. “The library is now collecting currently labeled seed packages.”
At the same time, the state allowed for individual seed swaps to take place at the library.
“We identified the library’s goal and allowed them to meet it without falling under our jurisdiction,” Zook said. “The regulators tried to figure out a way to not regulate.”
http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/swapping-seeds-theres-law/242774.html?icn=home-slider
FROM JOHNNIE ZOOK