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State Responds to PA Seed Library Controversy
State Responds to PA Seed Library Controversy.
No crackdown or shutdown was intended at Simpson Seed Library,
August 15 report.
Date: 10/5/2014 9:40:58 AM ( 10 y ) ... viewed 910 times
This is a Plant Your Dream Blog in process…
more to come..
11:47 pm
October 5, 2014
State Responds to Seed Library Controversy
The communications between The Pennsylvania Department of Ag and the Simpson Seed Library were intended to have a positive outcome, but few people know that. This was not a case where Big Brother cracked down, wanting to close a Seed Library in a public library. THis was a case of a department of ag wanting to be helpful, seeing that Seed Libraries in public libraries were becoming popular and wanting to let the libraries in PA know that there were seed laws that regulated seed distribution. Many of these regulations make perfect sense. Who wants to buy or exchange one package of seeds, grow them, and end up with something other than what was on the label? What if there were thousands more seed libraries and seed growers, as from my point of view is inevitable? What kind of education would each Seed Saver need to have, and what would the role of regulations need to be?
This is a time to slow down and get clear about the laws as they exist now, about the protocols as they exist now or can exist.
The rep from the library upon reading the initial letter from the rep from the Department of Ag may have panicked. I want to check this out. I have not.
I have checked out through emails, further information from Johnny Zook, the seed program supervisor, and these have been clarifying. I would like to make sure this further information is part of the public record. I want to make it clear that right from the start of our communications, Johnny Zook has been forthcoming, expressing a willingness to cooperative and a desire to come up with helpful outcomes.
How the Protocols that exist now in PA came to be
Once the library got in touch through their state representative and a meeting was held, those involved worked out protocols for operating as best they knew.
That is the basis of the content of the interview that Julie Grant did with Jay Howes that was printed Aug 15. In this interview, Mr. Howes clearly states the Department position. You can listen to the interview yourself and make your conclusion.
Out of that meeting came protocols that were accepted by the Simpson Library as is, however, it is clear that their was an option to put other protocols on the table. This was not the case.
Not only did Johnny Zook write the initial letters. He also in later emails, and through further discussion, began to see that there were other issues that needed to be addressed, such as the importance of locally adapting seeds to each particular bioregion.
There are more protocols that need to be added that would help Seed Libraries in public libraries, and seed libraries outside of public libraries work, Their are more understandings that need to be part of the discussion to educate those in government about the needs of seed savers. Further communications with Johnny Zook and other seed regulators are a good place to start.
At the point where I became aware that other protocols were needed, I invited further discussion, and Johnny Zook responded that he was open to such discussion.
The invitation from Johnny Zook went out to help him understand other concerns of Seed Savers., The opportunity was made available to help educate him on key issues. Other additional protocols that would work for everyone have still to be addressed more fully through an open discussions and communications.
I left this discussion a few weeks ago when I prepared to attend the National Heirloom Expo September 9,10, 11. In the next series of Plant Your Dreams Blogs I write, I will update on this issue.
Meanwhile, as Johnny Zook reported to me in emails, other states have gotten in the act, following in the lead of Pennsylvania that first looked at Seed Libraries in their public libraries.
The initial communications between the PA Department of Ag and the Simpson Library were not a case of the government being the adversary, I want to reiterate that.
Read the initial lette here:
Please look over the initial letter yourself.
http://www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org/sites/default/files/SIM/Documents/Misc/2014_PADeptAgriculture_Letter.pdf
There was an initial invitation to work out protocols, but as yet, as far as I know, the seed libraries may not as yet taken advantage of working cooperatively to work things out.
If there are laws that need to be changed, then this also is the work that needs to be done. It is better to work on these issues on the local level, and state by state level. Eventually Federal laws can change, but local laws are easier to change and it is easier to work out relationships in many cases county by county.
Please closely read this article to understand what Jay Howes was saying.
August 15, 2014
By Julie Grant
Gardeners have long traded seeds, and it might seem like a fun, wholesome endeavor. But recent headlines on the internet might make you think twice about sharing those basil or tomato seeds. "Seed Libraries Outlawed in Pennsylvania," some have warned. News articles are calling the state agriculture department zealous regulators, and there are comments about stomping out local food diversity. But the state says these stories are just plain wrong.
The story started with seed exchange program at the Joseph T. Simpson Public Library in Mechanicsburg, in Cumberland County. Jay Howes is Deputy Secretary for Consumer Protection and Regulatory Affairs with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. He says his department did write to the library with concerns about its seed program, because the way it was organized violated the state's Seed Act. But Howes says the department was helping the library re-tool its program to comply with the law, and wasn't shutting it down. Below Howes addresses some of the questions surrounding the highly publicized situation.
- See more at: http://www.alleghenyfront.org/story/state-responds-seed-library-controversy#sthash.a0qTdaLm.dpuf
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
This was a pod article where the Penn department of Ag clarified as best it own position.
Listen to the episode your self where PA Department of Ag member Jay Howes clarified the position of the Department of Ag.
http://www.alleghenyfront.org/story/state-responds-seed-library-controversy
ONE TYPO NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED
There is one typo i want to correct with the author.
Julie Grant
Senior reporter Julie Grant tweets @AFrontJulie
- See more at: http://www.alleghenyfront.org/story/state-responds-seed-library-controversy#sthash.3FuLCDTC.dpuf
REACHING JULIE GRANT ABOUT THE TYPO
Sent this twitter today, 3:37 pm to Julie Grant:
@AFrontJulie Please correct this typo. http://www.alleghenyfront.org/story/state-responds-seed-library-controversy
The word "Position" is meant to be "Possession" according to the Oral report
ABOUT THE ALLEGHENY FRONT
http://www.alleghenyfront.org/about/staff/julie-grant
The Allegheny Front is a radio program covering the environment in Pennsylvania. It's produced in Pittsburgh and broadcast throughout Pennsylvania on other public radio stations.
67 Bedford Square
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
P: 412-697-2933
F: 412-381-9126
typo:
What did the Department of Agriculture suggest to the Joseph T. Simpson Public Library as a solution?
Rather than them taking physical [position] {the word "possession" was intended} of the seeds, they create under their auspices essentially a seed exchange, whereby they might supply the initial group of seeds and then more just on a member to member level of seed exchange, seed swap type of thing, facilitated by the library, without them being brought into one central location, comingled, sorted, redistributed, which woudl have gotten into the whole Act, legal requirements.
They can go as far as they want with the structure, whether they have a membership list, or rules, or just facilitate the exchange. We aren’t going to get into dictating that to them. We never shut down a seed library, and we never anticipated a crackdown statewide as some of the headlines said. -
See more at: http://www.alleghenyfront.org/story/state-responds-seed-library-controversy#sthash.TsyidJrx.mbA0gWur.dpuf
Seed Lending Libraries in Pennsylvania Facing Crackdown
By: Kate CA
Wednesday August 6, 2014 4:31 pm
http://my.firedoglake.com/kateca/2014/08/06/seed-lending-libraries-in-pennsylvania-facing-crack-down/
MY COMMENT
Dear Kate, I very much appreciate the tone of most of this article that I find highly intelligent. I have spent the week following this story with many Plant Your Dream Blogs on it. My latest comes after spending time on the phone with Johnny Zook of the Department of Ag of Pennsylvania, who started this important conversation about Seed Saving and the rules of the state of Pennsylvania. I also spoke to the director of the Simpson Seed Library who was satisfied that the new protocols that came out of their meetings allow the Simpson Seed Library to fulfill its main goals as well as give some good direction to the growing Seed Library and Seed Bank movement.
http://curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2194704
My Seed Dream is that a national conversation around Seed Saving, support of Heirloom Seeds, and education about GMOs surfaces as a result of all our efforts. A national movement toward Seed Libraries and Seed Banks is growing. May the time we are all spending on this story lead to clarity, and more and more gardeners growing their own food knowing that this is being done with the wholehearted support of many Departments of Agriculture representatives, and Public Libraries who are offering Free Seed Libraries to help educate.
HERE IS MY TAKE AND DIRECTION
HELPING UNCLE SAM MARRY AUNTIE (ANTI) GMO
We gotta get Engaged growing Heirloom Seeds and Ancient Grains before Uncle Sam will Marry Auntie GMO.
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=2181365
JULY 31 ARTICLE INCLUDING MISINFORMATION, ACCORDING TO JAY HOWES, THAT CAUSED THE VIRAL CAMPAIGN
http://cumberlink.com/news/local/communities/carlisle/department-of-agriculture-cracks-down-on-seed-libraries/article_8b0323f4-18f6-11e4-b4c1-0019bb2963f4.html
AUG 5 ARTICLE UPDATE ON SIMPSON PROTOCOLS
Pa. department backs seed library protocol as reaction grows
http://cumberlink.com/news/agriculture/pa-department-backs-seed-library-protocol-as-reaction-grows/article_d3acf6fc-1cf2-11e4-adf9-0019bb2963f4.html
MORE SOON, MORE EMAILS AND COMMUNICATIONS WITH JOHNNY ZOOK
MY PLANT YOUR DREAM BLOGS ON THIS
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.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HELP DEVELOP A NATIONAL SEED LIBRARY PROTOCOL & CHANGE SEED LAWS AS NEEDED
View the future! This is the Petaluma Seed Bank, where the dreams and visions of a teenager years ago, Jere Gettle, gave birth to the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed collection, and with the help of an outstanding staff, the upcoming National Heirloom Expo September 9,10,11, 2014. The national Seed Library movement was not on my radar until Johnny Zook, Seed Program Supervisor for the Penn Department of Ag wrote a well intended letter to the newly formed Simpson Seed Library in Mechanicsburg, PA, June 12. He let them know that there were state Seed Laws. A few months later, we have an opportunity, as Departments of Ag everywhere are looking into Seed Library Protocols and how individual Seed Laws relate to Seed Libraries. Will you, as a Seed Saving Enthusiast, as a Supporter of Seed Libraries, as a GMO Educator. answers some informed answers to Johnny Zook so that National Seed Library Protocols can reflect deep wisdom?
http://plantyourdream.net/?p=19058
WORKING TOWARD A NATIONAL SEED LIBRARY PROTOCOL & CHANGING THE SEED LAWS AS NEEDED
This was started Thursday, August 28, 2014.
http://seedlibraries.org/forum/topics/working-toward-a-national-protocol-changing-the-seed-laws-as-well
FOUR ANSWERS FOR JOHNNY ZOOK
Help Johnny Zook, Seed Program Supervisor, Penn State of Agriculture,
understand more about the needs of Seed Libraries http://plantyourdream.net/?p=19058
You are invited to Help Develop a National Seed Library Protocol & Change Seed Laws as Needed
http://plantyourdream.net/?p=19058
PLANTING CLARITY! SIMPSON SEED LIBRARY AND AG DEPT WRAP UP
http://curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2196853
SEED PROTOCOL DISCUSSION GROUP NOTES
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
http://curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2197699
These are teachings for the National Heirloom Expo, September 9,10,11, 2014 in Santa Rosa, California. Leslie can be reached at Plantyourdream AT cox.net or at 619.384.2631. Please see a list of the National Heirloom Expo presenters here.
http://theheirloomexpo.com/speakers/
I am schedule to teach Helping Uncle Sam Marry Auntie (Auntie) GMO
at 11:30 Tuesday, September 9, in Kraft Hall.
I am scheduled to teach 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.
Got the National Heirloom Expo on my mind, Sep. 9,10,11 2014
Leslie Goldman, Your Enchanted Gardener/ Plant Your Dream Blogger from San Diego shares inspirations from the Campaign to Grow A Healthier Pizza. Will you help build our grassroots movement so that Uncle Sam gives up his unholy relationship with Biotech GMO in the farm bed and gets married to “Anti” (Auntie) GMO? Being a matchmaker for this wedding is a job that belongs to all gardeners who want to fulfill the vision of the Founding Gardener Presidents of America the Beautiful. Thousands of new Plant Parents are needed! The wedding date is in your hands. The invitation to the wedding goes out to all who grow food with heirloom seeds and ancient grains. His favorites are Kamut® ancient wheat and heirloom seeds from the Baker Creek collection. Read more here about his workshop, Helping Uncle Sam Marry “Anti” GMO. The Ultimate Gardener: The Best Experts’ Advice for Cultivating a Magnificent Garden with Photos and Stories (HCI, 2009) credits Leslie for photographs and inspiration. The book’s dedication reads: “To Leslie Goldman, The Enchanted Gardener, for planting dreams and seeds of inspiration. To all those who garden and for those who dream to have a garden one day.”Robert Muller, then U.N. Assistant Secretary General, gave Leslie a U.N. Peace Medal in 1983 for the work he would do in his lifetime. That work continues helping us to win back our sacred seeds.
http://theheirloomexpo.com/speakers/
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
TWITTERS TO FIND GOOD INFORMATION ABOUT SEED LIBRARIES
https://twitter.com/seedlibraries
SOURCE OF GOOD INFORMATION
http://seedlibraries.net
TO FOLLOW UP ON
HELP FROM PASA
http://seedlibraries.org/profiles/blogs/pa-seed-libraries-help-from-pennsylvania-association-for
September 29, 2014
SEED LIBRARIES ON FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/SeedLibraries
MY INPUT
http://www.shareable.net/blog/setting-the-record-straight-on-the-legality-of-seed-libraries
GOOD RESOURCE
http://www.richmondgrowsseeds.org/sister-libraries.html
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