Just watched Food, Inc...and I have a question re: Monsanto

froggyfarmgirl · #1 08/22/10, 04:19 PM

Ok, most of the stuff I kinda already knew (which is why we started on working towards our own homestead in the first place). I was literally in tears after watching it. One thing in the movie that I didn't understand was about Monsanto. I know they're not good, and once we start our garden and such I do not want to buy any Monsanto seeds. Wasn't there a seed company that specializes in heirloom varieties and doesn't carry any type of Monsanto seed, Fedco maybe?

Anyway, not the point..in the movie they were talking about how Monsanto has these teams of investigators who go around and investigate farmers and cases of "seed saving", and how they sued a man who cleaned seeds for farmers for patent infringement? My google-fu has failed me on this one! Does anyone know what that was about? I don't get it!

**ladycat** · #2 08/22/10, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by froggyfarmgirl

Anyway, not the point..in the movie they were talking about how Monsanto has these teams of investigators who go around and investigate farmers and cases of "seed saving", and how they sued a man who cleaned seeds for farmers for patent infringement?

There are a TON of youtube videos about Monsanto. Try there.

froggyfarmgirl · #3 08/22/10, 04:26 PM

I don't have speakers on my computer at the moment so YouTube always slips my mind, once I get speakers I'll def. look into it though! Thanks!

goatlady · #4 08/22/10, 04:27 PM

When LARGE quantities are seed are harvested to be saved for planting in another season those seeds must be cleaned and usually de-husked so they will store until the spring and will sprout appropriately. Custom cleaners used to be plentiful in our country with their special equipment to clean the seed without damaging it. Monsanto does not allow it's seed buyers/users to save seed year to year, they have to buy new seed every year is using patent seed varieties. It's easier to put the seed cleaners out of business than go after the farmers, cause the farmers will have to remain customers of Monsanto - no seed cleaners = no saving seed year to year, have to buy new every spring. Last I heard there were only 4-5 seed cleaners left in the U.S., all older guys and not able to train anyone to take over the business, so Monsanto wins another round for money making.

tinknal · #5 08/22/10, 04:51 PM

Oh boy, here we go again..........

Y'all know that "Monsanto" threads have been basically banned in this forum, right?

plowjockey · #6 08/22/10, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goatlady

When LARGE quantities are seed are harvested to be saved for planting in another season those seeds must be cleaned and usually de-husked so they will store until the spring and will sprout appropriately. Custom cleaners used to be plentiful in our country with their special equipment to clean the seed without damaging it. Monsanto does not allow it's seed buyers/users to save seed year to year, they have to buy new seed every year is using patent seed varieties. It's easier to put the seed cleaners out of business than go after the farmers, cause the farmers will have to remain customers of Monsanto - no seed cleaners = no saving seed year to year, have to buy new every spring. Last I heard there were only 4-5 seed cleaners left in the U.S., all older guys and not able to train anyone to take over the business, so Monsanto wins another round for money making.

Not necessarily.

Monsanto was going after the seed cleaners, because the seed cleaners KNEW, they were cleaning harvested RR seeds for customers, and therfore assisitng in the patent infringment, for the seeds.

Cleaning seed is not rocket science or even a lost art. Feed mills (what is left) cleaned seeds for customers regularily.

Trisha in WA · #7 08/22/10, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by froggyfarmgirl

Wasn't there a seed company that specializes in heirloom varieties

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds is one...I think there website is rareseeds.com
Trisha

Lazy J · #8 08/22/10, 05:02 PM

Callieslamb · #9 08/22/10, 05:08 PM

There are many, many companies that produce open pollinated seeds. It's really not a worry.

deb · #10 08/22/10, 05:11 PM

www.Seedsavers.org

Seed Savers Exchange (SSE) is a non-profit organization of gardeners dedicated to saving and sharing heirloom seeds.

You can buy a wide variety of heirloom seeds from them directly from the SSE Heritage Farms or if you join SSE you will get a quarterly mailing, one of which includes listing of the other members and the varieties of plants they grow to exchange seeds with other members.

I don't know where you are located, but SSE also has gardening, cooking and food preservation workshops.

Seed Savers Exchange
3094 North Winn Road,
Decorah, Iowa 52101
563.382.5990

chickenista · #11 08/22/10, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazy J

It is not a dead horse to her and she came asking questions.
'neighborly help and friendly advice' after all..

Patt · #12 08/22/10, 05:34 PM

You are looking for Maurice Parr.

He was the seed cleaner in the movie:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/...n4048288.shtml

Patt · #13 08/22/10, 05:38 PM

Just a heads up for the original poster: Monsanto and big ag are very controversial subjects here. We have a couple of people who pop into every thread about them and pitch fits until they get shut down. So be prepared.

Lazy J · #14 08/22/10, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickenista

It is not a dead horse to her and she came asking questions.
'neighborly help and friendly advice' after all..

It looks like that start of yet ANOTHER Monsanto thread after we have been admonished several times to NOT have anymore Monsanto threads.

So it is actually beating the quite dead Monsanto Horse.

tinknal · #15 08/22/10, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patt

Just a heads up for the original poster: Monsanto and big ag are very controversial subjects here. We have a couple of people who pop into every thread about them and pitch fits until they get shut down. So be prepared.

Oh............WOW!

Lazy J · #16 08/22/10, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patt

Just a heads up for the original poster: Monsanto and big ag are very controversial subjects here. We have a couple of people who pop into every thread about them and pitch fits until they get shut down. So be prepared.

If that isn't the pot calling the kettle black.....

Navotifarm · #17 08/22/10, 05:52 PM

Some of us haven't been here very long and didn't know Monsanto was forbidden! But I know some big companies have been putting patents on heirloom seeds which they then claim are theirs UNrightfully. I didn't see the movie so can't comment but if there are persons who go into attack mode, why not ban them rather than the topic? or are there hordes of "them"???

arabian knight · #18 08/22/10, 05:54 PM

froggyfarmgirl · #19 08/22/10, 05:55 PM

I'm really sorry, I didn't realize...and I wasn't trying to start a Monsanto debate/issue, etc. I was just curious about that one part. I apologize for my newness and lack of knowledge, I really wasn't trying to start anything. If the mods need to delete this or lock it, I won't be offended at all, and I won't do it again, promise!

pancho · #20 08/22/10, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by froggyfarmgirl

I'm really sorry, I didn't realize...and I wasn't trying to start a Monsanto debate/issue, etc. I was just curious about that one part. I apologize for my newness and lack of knowledge, I really wasn't trying to start anything. If the mods need to delete this or lock it, I won't be offended at all, and I won't do it again, promise!

Don't worry about it. If people weren't arguing about monsanto they would be arguing about some other topic.