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

There couldn't be a more important topic to discuss, since this forum is about homesteading and working to a degree of self sufficiency. It is a shame that the biggest threat to small farming is a banned subject on these forums. That's all I care to say.

It's not the topic that is the problem, it is the psudoreligous way in which some posters approach the topic.

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Flaming Xtian
I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
Mahatma Gandhi


Libertarindependent

How exactly is a Newbie supposed to know that?

By posting on the thread and telling them?

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Flaming Xtian
I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
Mahatma Gandhi


Libertarindependent

People like me? That should probably be changed to "People who disagree with you and Heritage Farms"! There are two sides to every issue, including the use of modern technology in agriculture, unfortunately if you don't agree with certain people on HT you are branded as a "Thread Closer"

Yep heaven forbid somebody who actually deals with Monsanto, uses their products, has read and signed the TUA and sees the results should get involved in the discussion. Much better to leave it all to people like you who don't know anything except what they've picked up second- and third-hand on the internet and from wildly biased "documentaries"

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The internet - fueling paranoia and misinformation since 1873.

I did not see the movie but the answer needs a little more explaining. First as has been stated about seed cleaning. Seed does not have to be cleaned to be stored until spring. In fact most seed is cleaned in the spring not the fall. The statement that there are only about 4 or 5 seed cleaners left in the US is flat wrong unless 3 of them live within 50 miles of me. As stated the seed cleaners that have gotten sued knowingly cleaned patented seed. Even the big M company does not sue for saving and planting their non patented seed. The pantented seed is GMO seed. Soybeans and wheat are the two seeds around my area that are usually involved. With wheat being the very minor seed. Conpanies spend millions of dollars creating the GMO (patented) seed and are trying to prevent someone benefiting without paying for their work. Drug companies do the same thing.
Steve

I am not a Monsanto basher and I think some people get confused over open pollinated, hybrid and GMO seed but all that aside, if you want Heirloom seeds let me give a hearty second to the Baker Seed Company. I live about 20 miles from them and they have a great little operation going. We get most of our seed from them because we enjoy the heirloom varieties, we like to purchase and grow things that are old fashioned and unusual, and they are so close that its fun to visit and pick up tips.

Another advantage of heirloom seeds is that if you dont mix varieties you can save the seed from year to year which adds for me another enjoyable part of growing. With hybrid seeds (which we also use for some things) you probably will get a more hearty variety but if you save the seed you dont really know what you will get from year to year and we just dont try and save hybrid seed. I dont think too many people outside of commercial growers/farmers even get involved in GMO seeds so it probably isnt an issue for you but maybe I'm wrong...I am sure someone will point it out if I am.

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www.salmonslayer-simplelife.blogspot.com

While I agree that infringing on a patent should be stopped, comparing Monsanto to Big Pharma isn't going to gain much respect-->at least from those of us who are paying attention.

This.

Patt, interesting that you are the one pointing fingers.............

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Flaming Xtian
I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
Mahatma Gandhi


Libertarindependent

Large-seeded crops would not have to be cleaned. Smaller seeds would. (My grandfather grew the seed oats for probably 25-30 farmers as he had the only winnowing machine in the area.) Small seeds must be uniform in order to be sown properly. It would only take a few oversize seeds to jam the planters and that would result in either a lot of skips or planting nothing. For instance, canola seed is so fine that no individual farmer can afford the equipment required to clean the seed on a large scale. Thus canola farmers must have their seed cleaned professionally. If the cleaner knows that he is cleaning PVP seed, he is equally as quilty as the person whom he is cleaning it for. Just as a bank robbery getaway car driver is guilty of bank robbery even though he or she never went into the bank.

Martin

I know of at least 3 seed cleaners within 30 miles of me too. I think a lot of co-ops have one because in our area a lot of wheat is kept for seed. And also oats, alfalfa seed, etc. And non-GMO beans.

Someone has some very misleading info out there

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* I'm supposed to respect my elders, but its getting harder and harder for me to find one. .*-

PerttyPaisley I do not know what you are paying attantion to but I was only pointing out that Monsanto and Drug companies both protect their pantented products. Many other companies do the same thing.
Steve

I don't know what is considered large seeds and small seeds but wheat is almost always cleaned in order to remove weed seed, grasshopper parts, and other debris from it. Plenty of commercial cleaners scattered all around Kansas to do that. The cleaning is generally done in September just before the crop is drilled so that the cleaned grain can remain on the truck until put into the drill so that with less handling comes less seed damage.

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My family---bEI

I understand your analogy.

My point is-neither Monsanto and Big Pharma are in it to win friends. Neither of them have the interest of human kind in mind. They are looking to rule the world amd amass the greatest amount of money all at the same time, while slowly killing us all off.

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if anyone has read the book seeds of destruction, they will understand the ruling the world concept. henry kissinger said, control oil, and you control nations. control food, and you control the people. that is what agribusiness is in the process of doing with the full cooperation the government.


keith

For what little it may be worth to some, Pretty Paisley and I are in firm agreement in re the context of this thread.

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“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Barry Goldwater.
III

Sure would like to know the name of any big business that is not in it for the money and has the best interest of human kind in mind.

Could you list a few?

depends on the definition of big, but I think that Patagonia is a good model for a very successful business that cares.