Sources of Organic and Untreated Non-GMO Seeds
Introduction
Organic farmers are required by USDA-NOP regulations to use organic seeds and planting stock when commercially available. They can use non-organic, untreated seeds when organic seeds are not available in the form, quality, or quantity they need. Annual seedlings must be organic; only the USDA Secretary can grant a variance for seedlings. Perennials can be started from non-organic stock, but must be raised organically for one year before any crop is harvested as organic. Seeds, seedlings, and planting stock that have been treated with prohibited substances are allowed only if required by federal or state phytosanitary regulations. Organic sprouts can only be produced using organic seed. In no case are genetically engineered seed varieties allowed. (See 7CFR 205.105(e) and 205.204 for exact regulatory text.) Growers in the southern states have limited regional organic seed sources. Most of them buy seed from other states.
Regional Seed Resources
The Save Our Seed Project is a unique regional resource created in
response to the limited availability of organic and open-pollinated heirloom
seed. Save our Seed is working to increase the availability of regionally
adapted, open-pollinated, certified organic seed and to develop a
southern seed network.
This project has published a series of seed production manuals: The Bean
Seed Production Manual; The Tomato Seed Production Manual; The Isolation
Distance Guide; The Seed Processing and Storage Manual, and the
Organic Brassica Seed Production Guide. Each guide provides details for
production of organic seeds in the Southeast. Save our Seed also maintains
a current database of more than 100 organic seed sources and
assists growers in determining whether the seeds they seek are commercially
available.
Contact:
Cricket Rakita
Save our Seed Project
286 Dixie Hollow
Louisa, VA 23093
540-894-8865
cricket@savingourseed.org
www.savingourseed.org
(seed production guides and seed source database)
The Southern Seed Legacy, a membership association, was developed
to recover, save, and increase the diversity of heirloom plants and traditional
knowledge of the American South. More than 400 varieties of
heirloom seeds, with photos, are posted on their Web site, www.uga.edu/
%7Eebl/southernheirloom; email: ebl@uga.edu.
The Seedsaving and Seedsavers’ Resources Web page provides manylinks to sources for heirloom and non-GE seeds, information and resources for saving seeds, and seed exchange networks. Links are from the U.S., several European countries, the U.K., and Australia.homepage.tinet.ie/~merlyn/seedsaving.html
The ATTRA publication Suppliers of Seed for Certified Organic Production has been updated and is now in the form of a searchable on-line database. The database provides sources for organic seed for agronomic and horticultural crops. Some national mail-order suppliers of untreated seed are included, with emphasis on small, alternative seed companies offering open-pollinated vegetable, flower, and herb seed. Farmers can contact their certifying agents or state departments of agriculture to find out whether these agencies can supply lists of organic seed sources. www.attra.ncat.org
The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) lists some sources of organic seed. For grain growers interested in using local, bin-run organic seed, see the ATTRA publication Marketing Organic Grains for a regionally balanced list. The ATTRA publication Seed Production and Variety Development for Organic Systems discusses additional seed sources. The buyer needs to ask to see the seed supplier’s documentation, including organic certification. www.omri.org/OMRI_SEED_list.html
Companies Selling Organic Seeds: Source List
The Southern Organic Resource Guide does not endorse any seed companies, but we have made an effort to compile a comprehensive listing of organic seed sources to assist organic producers. Organic farmers in the South provided most of the listings. Inclusion or omission on this list is neither a statement of endorsement nor an implied criticism. Growers are encouraged to visit listed Web sites; many include extensive seed supplier lists. Companies are listed in alphabetical order.
- Baker Creek Heirloom
Seeds
2278 Baker Creek Road
Mansfield, MO 65704
417-924-8917
417-924-8887 FAX
www.rareseeds.com
Products: Untreated non- GMO heirloom vegetable seeds from around the world
- Cook’s Garden
P.O. Box C5030
Warminster, PA 18974
800-457-9703
800-457-9705 FAX
www.cooksgarden.com
Products: Certified organic and untreated non-GMO vegetable seeds
- Fedco Seeds
P.O. Box 520
Waterville, ME 04903
207-873-7333
207-872-8317 FAX
www.fedcoseeds.com
Products: Certified organic and biodynamic seeds, untreated and non-GMO vegetable seeds, certified organic onion sets, specialty potatoes and fingerlings, and Jerusalem artichokes
- Filaree Farm
182 Conconully Hwy.
Okanogan, WA 98840
509-422-6940
info@filareefarm.com
www.filareefarm.com
Products: Certified organic garlic cloves
- Harris Seeds—Organic
and Untreated Seeds for
the Professional Grower
355 Paul Rd.
P.O. Box 24966
Rochester, NY 14624-0966
800-544-7938
www.harrisseeds.com
Products: Certified organic and untreated non-GMO vegetable seeds, OMRI listed and NOP National List pesticides, small vegetable production supplies
- High Mowing Seeds
813 Brook Rd.
Wolcott, Vermont 05680
802-888-1800
802-888-8446 FAX
www.highmowingseeds.com
Products: 100% certified organic vegetables seeds
- Horizon Herbs
P.O. Box 69
Williams, OR 97544
541-846-6704
541-846-6233 FAX
herbseed@chatlink.com
www.chatlink.com/~herbseed
Products: Certified organic and untreated native medicinal herbs of the world
- Johnny’s Selected Seeds
1 Foss Hill Road
RR 1, Box 2580
Albion, ME 04910-9731
207-437-4395
(commercial orders)
207-437-4301
(home gardeners)
800-437-4290 FAX
homegarden@johnnyseeds.com
(home gardeners)
www.johnnyseeds.com
Products: Certified organic and untreated non-GMO vegetable seeds, small vegetable equipment and machinery, OMRI listed and NOP National List pesticides
- Lakeview Farm
44200 Hwy. BB
Middletown, MO 63359
573-549-2231
Products: Certified organic cover crop seeds (hairy vetch, clovers, rye, and buckwheat), certified soybeans, corn, oats, and sunflowers seeds
- Milk Ranch Specialty
Potatoes, L.L.C.
20094 Highway 149
Powderhorn, CO 81243
970-641-5634
970-642-0471 FAX
craig@milkranch.com
www.milkranch.com
Products: Certified organic potatoes and specialty fingerlings
- Morgan County Wholesale
Seeds
18761 Kelsey Rd.
Barnett, MO 65011-3009
513-378-2655
Products: Untreated non- GMO vegetable seeds, vegetable production supplies and equipment, soil amendments, and pesticides
- The Natural Gardening
Company
P.O. Box 750776
Petaluma, CA 94975-0776
707-766-9303
707-766-9747 FAX
info@naturalgardening.com
www.naturalgardening.com
Products: Certified organic and untreated non-treated vegetables seeds
- Organica Seed Co.
P.O. Box 611
Wilbraham MA 01095
413-599-0396
office@organicaseed.com
www.organicaseed.com
Products: Certified organic vegetables, herb, cotton, and cover crops seeds
- Sand Hill Preservation
Center
1878 230th Street
Calamus, Iowa 52729-9659
563-246-2299
sandhill@fbcom.net
www.sandhillpreservation.com
Products: Heirloom untreated vegetables seeds, sweet potatoes, plants, and poultry
- Seeds of Change
P.O. Box 15700
Santa Fe, NM 87596-5700
888-762-7333 (orders)
866-339-3876 (technical questions)
www.seedsofchange.com/
Products: Certified organic and untreated non-GMO heirloom vegetable seeds
- Seed Savers
3094 North Winn Road
Decorah, IA 52101-7776
563-382-5990
563-382-5872 FAX
www.seedsavers.org
Products: Certified organic and untreated non-GMO vegetable seeds
- Southern Exposure Seed
Exchange
P.O. Box 460
Mineral, VA 23117
540-894-9480
540-894-9481 FAX
www.southernexposure.com
Products: Certified organic and untreated non-GMO heirloom and open-pollinated vegetable, herb, and flower seeds, certified organic peanut seeds, and garlic
- Territorial Seed Company
P.O. Box 158
Cottage Grove, OR 97424
800-626-0866
888-657-3131 FAX
www.territorialseed.com
Products: Certified organic and untreated non-GMO vegetable seeds