It’s important to remember, as this article at the Organic Consumers Association points out, that corporate control of the seed market extends right into your home garden. Important takeaway from the article: when Monsanto purchased international seed giant Seminis in 2005, it took control of a company that produced 40% of the international vegetable seed market. The chart accompanying the article is particularly revealing, illustrating how a handful of international conglomerates control almost all of the commercial seed companies in the world (yes, Monsanto is shown to be the largest).
Surprisingly, these large seed controlling companies are often chemical and pharmaceutical companies. Yes, these seed-selling corporations are the same corporations that produce and market GMOs. The article’s writer, Brenda Wagner, points out, consolidation of the seed business means less available variety of seeds and higher costs; two things small farmers and home gardeners shouldn’t have to tolerate. She finishes with a short list of organic seed advocates and dealers (Planet Natural carries a variety of heirloom vegetable seeds both online and at the retail store) as well as steps concerned gardeners can take. Contact your congress person? You bet!
Eric Vinje founded Planet Natural with his father Wayne in 1991, originally running it as a grasshopper bait mail-order business out of a garage.
Eric is now retired, but is still a renowned gardener known for his expertise in composting, organic gardening and pest control, utilizing pesticide-free options, such as beneficial insects.
Eric believes when you do something good for the environment, the effects will benefit generations to come.
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