Seeds of Change Donation Program

[Earl]

I ordered a box of 500 seeds for $50 back in February. Feb. 2nd they received my check.

5-6 calls later I have not received...I was told, they would ship in two weeks almost every call. Yesterday I was told 4-6 weeks. The explanation in they are getting triple the request for seeds and this is NOW their busy season.

Rachel, has always been polite but I may not receive seeds in time to plant.

Sounds as if this is a good time to get a community garden going and to save seeds as a seed bank.

If you missed the special on the seed vault in Norway on 60 Minutes here's the link
www.croptrust.org/main/

Just hoping I do get seeds from Seeds of Change.

[rena]

Earl, I am unsure of what you guys are talking bout but what seed types did you order?
Maybe if you listed what you need, I might have some. I would be happy to try, no sase needed. If you do not want to post it them pm me.

[Earl]

thanks rena...nice offer

SoS has a donation program

www.seedsofchange.com/

go to donation, then click on pdf file

I am waiting on 500 packets

So they send leftovers of no particular order.

I have enough seeds just wanted more variety.

[rena]

Earl I would be happy to send some tomato and pepper seeds if that is your interest. I have some dragon tongue beans (yummy) Just pm me.

[paquebot]

As long as they are busy, you ain't going to see those seeds. Once the orders stop coming in, virtually everything they have packaged will be obsolete. Since the seed packets would have a "Sell By" date on them, they'd can't even be sold for a penny after that. If expensive or long-lived seeds are involved, they'll be repackaged for next year. If not, they are expendable.

Martin

[grunt]

Earl: If you're looking for variety, check out our seed lists and albums at:
Albums = www.picasaweb.google.com/tvgrunt
seeds harvested in 2006 = tinyurl.com/3y7bkn
seeds harvested in 2007= tinyurl.com/3a4smu
and let us know what you would like. The albums have pics of all the varieties offered, and then some.
Cheers
Dan

[wintersown]

"So they send leftovers of no particular order.

I have enough seeds just wanted more variety."

Earl,

That's why you're waiting for seeds.

There are non-profits, schools, youth groups, community gardens, senior centers, shelters, etc. who request seeds. There are many organizations which need the seeds...they get theirs first. It's simply a priority triage.

T

[Earl]

I ordered for the community garden...I sent the $50 and it was received 2/13.

We actually planned for that seed to be the basis of the garden.

This is an observation, not a complaint.

I have had to revise my plans for the garden based on what I have presently.

It was just a bit frustrating to see a program, send the $$ from donated monies and not receive seed in time to plant ahead for transplanting.

Thanks for letting me vent

[Earl]

Oh and Dan, we WILL catch up sometime, thanks for the support

Earl

[wintersown]

Your post didn't say you ordered for a community garden Earl, you did you let them know that in your request?

I've not yet had any problems with SOC donations, once a box came up less than 500 packs and they sent me another 500 packs immediately.

Earl, just a suggestion but next time around place your order several months ahead of when you need to begin sowing, that way you can plan based on what you're sent.

You could still contact the Organic Seed Alliance World Seed Fund and see what they can do for you.
www.seedalliance.org/index.php?page=World_Seed_Fund

[Earl]

wintersown

The donation program is a separate entity based out of Nevada and not New Mexico.

www.seedsofchange.com/donations/default.asp

You print a pdf form, fill it out and mail it in and send $$ for shipping and handling.

I did all that...this is not the same as ordering a specific group and paying retail.

They have staff however, for the donation program, I am a bit frustrated that I have called no less than 5 times and get the same basic answer...except now instead of being sent out in 2 weeks, it's 4-5 weeks....OUCH

So if they have problems filling orders and obtaining seed...I advise we stock more than usual with our grow outs.

Earl

[wintersown]

Earl,

I know exactly what the SOC donation program is because WinterSown Educational is a recipient of their seeds ;-)

I was writing from experience; you NEED to order your donation from them months ahead of when you are going to plan your garden. Late winter and early spring are a major crush for them, that's why if you need to sow seeds in March you should send in your request in early December; by mid February you will likely have a shipment of seeds, and then you can start to plan the garden based upon the donation, and then by March you're all set and ready to sow.

You can try contacting America the Beautiful Fund and ask for their help too, but they send a good percentage of flowers as well as veggies; if you don't need the flower seeds or you must do organics then stick with SOC or the WSF.

Good luck!

T

[wintersown]

Did you get your donation yet Earl?

[Earl]

I understand UPS TRIED to deliver yesterday....they had a new guy on , so perhaps Monday....

I'm so excited!

[wintersown]

What came in the box Earl?