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Have you unknowingly invited Monsanto to your garden party?
In 2005, Monsanto grabbed 40% of the U.S. seed market and 20% of the global seed market when it bought out Seminis, making them the largest seed company in the world. They supply the genetics for 55% of the lettuce on U.S. supermarket shelves, 75% of the tomatoes, and 85% of the peppers, with strong holdings in beans, cucumbers, squash, melons, broccoli, cabbage, spinach and peas! (source)
And Monsanto has been buying up every seed company they can ever since. By going to the Seminis site, you can see their history of acquisitions. You can see Syngenta and Dow are doing the same.
Apparently, Monsanto is now legally registered or established to hold the trademark for a plethora of the named heirloom seed varieties. (See a list of names below.) This company has strategically positioned itself to profit from the growing heirloom or open-pollinated home-gardening market.
Boy, it makes me sick to send profits their way!
Bayer, Monsanto and Their Terrible Little Secrets
First, as of 2015, the Bayer takeover of Monsanto merges a chemical giant with a seed giant and leaves the control of the world’s food supply in too few hands. The merger also links two key parts of agricultural production, reducing competition in the food chain. In 2020, Bayer is expected to control well over the 2017 estimate of 29 per cent of the global seed market and 24 per cent of the global pesticide market. But they now have a competitor!
“Second, there are serious concerns about increased farmer dependency on a smaller number of suppliers, and higher prices due to weak competition.
“Third, the deal increases the power of an even smaller group of companies over the intellectual property, and patents that already lock up much of the world’s commercially produced food supply. The patents weaken farmers’ ability to use and reuse their own seeds.”
“Finally, there are ongoing food health and safety concerns related to the seeds and chemicals produced by these companies. Increasing their market share increases their power over the market and over the producers and consumers that use their products. In 2015, the World Health Organisation declared glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s herbicide, Roundup, as “probably carcinogenic in humans,”(source)
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We home gardeners need to do our homework to make sure we purchase seeds from companies that aren’t in partnership with Bayer-Monsanto-Seminis. The Healthy Home Economist gives us 4 ways to forget Monsanto.
4 Ways To Keep Monsanto out of Your Garden:
So, it’s pretty important to make sure that none of the seeds you buy this year support Monsanto or one of the companies owned by them.
Excellent seed companies that are NOT affiliated with Monsanto:
(note: companies named on this poster could change in time, so buyer beware, and do your due diligence first!)
(Source)
- Avoid buying anything from companies that are affiliated with Monsanto or Seminis. You can search the companies they do business with to avoid them as they are potentially compromised.
- Avoid buying seed or seedlings varieties that are trademarked and owned by Seminis or Monsanto. This includes popular tomato varieties such as ‘Early Girl’, ‘Better Boy’, and ‘Burpee’s Big Boy’, as well as a host of other common home garden varieties like ‘Habanero’ hot pepper and ‘Packman’ broccoli. These are not GMO varieties, but their purchase does profit Monsanto. Here’s a list of Bayer’s seed portfolio.
- Ask seed companies if they have taken the Safe Seed Pledge and tested their stock for GMOs.
- Purchase, plant, and save seeds from heirloom varieties. We need to support Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange, and Clear Creek Heirloom Seeds and others listed below that specialize in heirlooms and that are NOT owned by Monsanto or Seminis.
The legacy of Seed Savers Exchange is to tell you how to collect and store seeds.
List of companies that specialize in heirlooms and that are NOT owned by Monsanto or Seminis:
USA:
Note:
- Always ask questions of a company if you want to verify they are not part of the corporate giant.
- Things change and companies are under pressure to survive.
- Some may sell out.
- Adaptive Seeds
- All Good Things Organic (SW)
- Amishland Seeds
- Annie’s Heirloom Seeds
- The Ark Institute
- Backyard Beans and Grains Project
- Baker Creek Seed Co. (Rare Seeds)(MW)
- Beauty Beyond Belief (BBB Seeds)
- Botanical Interests
- Bountiful Gardens
- Clear Creek Seeds
- Diane’s Flower Seeds (she has veggies now, too)
- Deep Harvest Farm and Seeds
- Farm Direct Seed (Hobb’s Family Farm)
- Fedco Seed Co.
- Gourmet Seed
- Grow Organic
- Heirlooms Evermore Seeds at Azure Standard
- Heirloom Seeds
- Heirloom Solutions
- High Mowing Seeds
- Horizon Herbs
- Hudson Valley Seed Library
- Growing Crazy Acres
- Ed Hume Seeds
- Irish-Eyes
- J.L Hudson
- Johnny’s Selected Seeds
- Kitchen Garden Seeds
- Knapp’s Fresh Vegies
- Kusa Seed Society
- Lake Valley Seeds
- Landreth Seeds
- Larner Seeds
- The Living Seed Company
- Livingston Seeds
- Local Harvest
- Mary’s Heirloom Seeds
- MI Gardener Organic Seeds
- Native Seeds (for the Arid Southwest)
- Natural Gardening Company
- Nichol’s Garden Nursery
- Prairie Road Garden
- Renee’s Garden
- Redwood City Seeds
- Restoration Seeds
- R.H. Shumway’s
- Sand Hill Preservation Center
- Seed for Security
- Seed Treasures
- Seeds For Generations
- Seeds of Change
- Seeds Now
- Seeds Trust
- Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
- Select Seeds
- Siskiyou Seeds (NW)
- Southern Exposure
- Sow True (SE)
- Strictly Medicinal Seeds
- Sustainable Seed Co
- Territorial Seed Company
- Tomato Bob Heirloom Seeds
- Tomato Fest
- Trees of Antiquity
- Underwood Garden Seeds
- Uprising Seeds
- Victory Seeds
- Vermont Wildflower Farm
- White Harvest Seed
- Wildseed Farms
- Wood Prairie Farm (NE)
Canadian Seed Companies:
- Annapolis Valley Heritage Seed Company
- Brother Nature
- Full Circle Seeds
- Greta’s Organic Garden
- Heritage Harvest Seeds (ships to Canada only)
- Hope Seeds
- Incredible Seeds
- Richters Herbs
- Salt Spring Seeds
- Solana Seeds
- Stellar Seeds
- Terra Edibles
- West Coast Seeds
UK:
Baker Creek is run by a REAL family as are many of the remaining smaller seed companies! They work extensively to supply free seeds to many of the world’s poorest countries, as well as here at home in school gardens and other educational projects. It is their goal to educate everyone about a better, safer food supply.
Don’t forget Seed-Savers! Here you can shop hundreds of heirloom, organic, non-GMO vegetable seeds and plants to grow in your garden.
Let’s boycott all gene-altering companies. Together, we can build a more sustainable world, one garden at a time!
If you know of other companies that are ‘clean’ seeds, please leave a link to them (or contact information) in the comments. We want to support those whose work is ethical and honest. Thank you!
Kathie Jones
Thank you so much for sharing this listing and information. I was aware of what you shared, but I love seeing it all in one space for people to read, digest and share.
There are several seed companies on the “clean” seed listing I am not familiar with. YEA! I will be starting my seed order list very soon. The list makes me giddy! 😀
I am of a same mind with you on much of what I have seen posted on your site. Vaccines, gardens, seeds, family===keep spreading the good word(s).
Blessings…Kathie in MD
Jacqueline
Thank you, Kathie.
I, too am looking at the seeds to order for spring 🙂 Excited to know there are other like-minded gals who love the beauty of the simpler and safer life 🙂 Thank you for that encouragement, friend 🙂
Glenda
Good grief! I had never heard of this Monsanto! I thought it was a garden disease or something when I saw the article title. THANK YOU!!!!!!!! Now I need to find out if Eden Brothers seeds and Jung Seeds is corrupt or not. I usually buy seeds from them.
This Monsanto thing sounds like spiritual wickedness in high places…………Need to drag them out into the LIGHT. Will pass this on! You did us all a BIG favor here! Truly!
God bless!
Jacqueline
Glenda, you nailed it. Monsanto is a wicked, wicked company that is harming our farm lands and polluting our bodies and our food all in the name of greed. Just love your heart, friend! Also, you bless me with your comments! Are you on FB?
Glenda
So sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner! I just wrote a comment and it disappeared! Anyway, I’m not on FB. I don’t have time for that and honestly, I don’t desire it.
I love your heart too J. You are SPECIAL!!!! You must surely be watched over closely by Heaven because of your light and goodness. I just know it has to be true! Wish we were next door neighbors! You’re awesome!
I will check back in more often. I have made such a mess for myself in my home….sigh….clean out one room only to make a bigger mess. How does that happen? LOL
God bless you for the coming days that I sense you know are nigh at the doors. Thank you for being……YOU!!!!!!! Love ya!
Jacqueline
Oh, my goodness!! Glenda, you are such an awesome encourager! I can’t tell you how much I needed to hear that today <3
Lord, bless and strengthen you for all you set your hands to, dear friend. I’d love to ‘visit’ with you more here 🙂 Thank you!
Marianne
It should also be mentioned NOT using MiracleGro soil to grow one’s garden in since Scott’s the company that produces MiracleGro products is a partner company of Monsanto.
Claudia Phillips
Thanks for this valuable information!
Marney
Another Canadian source for organic and heirloom seed is Metchosin Farm and Seed 542 Wootton Rd. Victoria, B.C. Canada B9C 3Z4. They also have a website.
Connie
Hello, I’ve enjoyed reading several of your blogs and plan on reading many more. I do have a question; in this article there’s a list of companies to avoid d/t their connections with Monsanto. One that appears to be in the picture on this page is Mountain Rose Herbs, which I’ve seen you recommend in this and other articles. I’m I mistaken?
Jacqueline
Hi, Connie,
I think you are seeing that on the collage of companies that are GOOD companies and that supply seed not affiliated with Monsanto. Mountain Rose Herbs, Baker Creek, Seeds of Diversity, Territorial, Botanical Interests, etc. are all the BEST companies! Also, look under the long list of Good Seed companies in the USA. Mountain Rose Herbs is listed – they exemplify an excellent company in the seeds they raise for their essential oils and herbs. Thanks for asking me that question! You keep me on my toes! 🙂
Blessings!
Lori
Is this list still up to date? It’s over 2 years old at this point. If anyone knows if any of these companies have “gone to the dark side” since this article was written, please add to the comments here.
Diahann Lopez-Cordova
So informative, thank you!!
ken
is “Seeds of Change” a clean company?
Jacqueline
Ken, YES!! Seeds of Change is a great company!
Meg
Why not include Corteva? They license Monsanto’s technology and sell seeds under many brands including Pioneer!
Jacqueline
Meg, good point! I have not heard of Corteva, but think you are right on! ~J
Barbara Croft
I hadn’t heard of you or any of these companies and was hunting for a non-GMO, organic and heirloom seed supplier. . i just ordered and bought seeds from myseedneeds.com. They claimed to be organic and non-GMO. It sounded like a family business. I can’t vouch for them, I’d like to know if you know about them. The seeds arrived neatly packaged and seem to have a good supply in each envelope–not skimpy like the big box stores.. I’ll be planting in the spring.
Cristina
Thanks for all this info!
Here is another company dedicated to great seeds, in Demeter quality (biodynamic)
https://www.bingenheimersaatgut.de/de
They do excellent work, employ co-workers with disabilities…
We have bought from them many times…
Jacqueline
Cristina, thank you for sharing this company! ~J
BROOKE
I liked this article. I love being organic. https://www.moreprepared.com There’s a small garden beside our kitchen. There are so many herbs, vegetables are in it. Everyone should have their garden because the foods prepared from it are so much good. They are fresh, aromatic and tastier. This article provides me necessary instructions for me.
Justina
We love Johnny’s! Been fixing our cold frames up with their amazing salad blends the past two seasons now. Thanks for this updated post!
JennieT
I think True leaf market is no related to these companies. I could not find any on there website. They are from Utah.
Stephanie
Which do you personally order from? I know you said order for 2021. How do you know how much to order? Are they only good for one year?
All new to me! Although, we had a garden growing up…I haven’t as an adult.
Jennie
https://www.trueleafmarket.com/pages/our-certifications
I think they may be a company that is not with the others.
Jacqueline
Thank you, Jennie. I will add that to the list! 😀
Jeannette
I haven’t read all of the comments, so I am sorry if this is a duplicate. Pinetree Seeds appears to be a safe company. Online if you search for that, you will be directed to Superseeds. They have taken the Safe seed pledge, as seen in their FAQ section.
Jacqueline
Jeannette, thank you for this suggestion! It is new to me, and I hope to add it soon!
Blessings,
Jacque
Justin
Thanks for putting this out there! Good to see some familiar names on the list of trusted sources, but i also had no idea that there were so many others.
When you say these other companies are “pressured” i can only imagine that this is an understatement, as i’ve heard some pretty horrible stories about monsanto sending their representatives out to these reputable seed stores and farms to bludgeon them with some really aggressive threats.
To add another to the list, i have had wonderful experience with a site called Pepper Joe’s, and they also appear to be family run.
Jacqueline
Thank you, Justin! I will hopefully get to add Pepper Joe’s to the list, but I must check them out first!
Blessings,
Jacqueline
Brian
Have you heard of https://www.row7seeds.com/
??
They’re absolutely amazing and doing some really progressive work. Thank you for your article!!
Michelle Smith
Hi Jacqueline,
Thank you very much for this information. We live on the West Coast of Canada and buy our seeds from several of the companies you’ve listed.
Could you please add West Coast Seeds to your safe list. They are fantastic company, once part of Territorial Seed Company before they split up to become Canadian and American owned companies.
https://www.westcoastseeds.com/
Jacqueline
Hi, Michelle Smith! I will add it now! TY for letting me know about them!
Blessings,
Jacqueline
Annie of Kitchen Table Seed House
http://www.kitchentableseedhouse.ca in Ontario 🙂
Lane Ayres
Thanks for this great info, which continues to be shared from friend to friend! Unless we eat only food we grow ourselves from reputable seed companies then we have to buy some of our food. It’s equally, or perhaps even more, important to buy only non GMO or organic food from grocery stores and other food sellers. And “food” includes everything we eat, whether it’s bread or marshmallows , not just fruits and vegetables. If we eat meat, we need to make sure those animals have not treated well and have been fed non GMO or organic food.
Jacqueline
Lane, thank you for sharing, and I couldn’t agree with all you’ve said more!
I always say, Pay now or pay later!
Thank you for verbalizing it well! ~Jacque
Andrea Carson
Hi – I’m pretty sure that Fruition Seeds in Naples, NY sells clean seeds.
Jacqueline
Thanks, Andrea! I hope to check them out soon!
Lorraine O'Dell
We have at least one local seed and plant supplier here in NJ that I think is OK but I haven’t bought seeds from them in ages so I’m not sure about their seeds. https://wellsweep.com/
Jacqueline
Thank you, Lorraine! I need to check to see if they are owned by M.
Sheri Wills
Veseys Seeds (https://www.veseys.com/) is a family owned company in PEI, Canada, with clean seeds from what I’ve read. I buy my seeds from them.
Judy
Great resource, thanks! I’m in the UK and just placed a few seed orders, one of which was from the Real Seed Catalogue in your list. They are just up the road from me and have a great variety of open polinated vegetable seeds. They make a special point of encouraging people to save seeds and have loads of info on their website to show you how. Contrast this generosity from a small producer to the greed of Monsanto who will even go after farmers who’s crops were contaminated by neighbour’s GMO crops for growing plants that were unlicensed. They are just pure evil. Anyway, here are a few more UK suppliers (mostly open pollinated/heirloom, all or mostly organic, but some F1 hybrids):
https://seedcooperative.org.uk/
https://tamarorganics.co.uk
https://www.organiccatalogue.com/
Real Seed and the Seed Cooperative are currently only selling intermittently due to staff shortages (covid). Real Seeds have a number of interesting plant varieties liked by Permaculturists.
I feel it is now more than ever important to start growing your own food, if you haven’t already, and secure seeds for plants you can save the seeds from.
Jacqueline
Thank you for this, Judy! I will try to check these out soon and add them!
Enjoy your spring there in the UK!
Blessings,
Jacque
Judy
Thanks, Jacque. Our spring is late this year, but will be here soon enough. Can’t wait to get cracking outside. Hope you are having a nice one too.
Oleg
Unfortunately, this list has to be extended because Monsanto is sneaking further and further into all possible areas of gardening and food production. So it’s not about only seeds and I would add the following warnings too:
– Avoid buying any product of MiracleGro (including the most seductive ones – soil and all bagged products as well as chemical fertilizers in green bottles that are very well marketed on the shelves of HomeDepot, Lowe’s, CanadianTire and HomeHardware, they actually dedicate a separate corner for those horrible items)
– Same about any product of the Scotts brand too, it’s another subsidiary of Monsanto
– Stay away from applying RoundUp in your garden, even if you don’t grow anything edible. RoundUp is a direct brand of Monsanto.