Kent Whealy: SSE = Monsanto

[plantsnobin]

Last night as I was reading old issues of Mother Earth News, which used to be the best info you could get, nothing like the mag going by that name now, I came across a page about what is now SSE. This is issue #40, from 1976. Yes, I do have magazines older than my children. I also have #34, where Kent had placed an ad asking people to contact him if they had any old varieties they would like to share, the start of the whole thing. Anyway, by #40 it was up and running. Back then he called it the 'True Seed Exchange' You sent him a list of what you had to offer, and 50 CENTS, he would mail you a list when it was compiled for the year. Back in the day, this worked. I know for some of you young whippersnappers, it is hard to imagine having to mail something off, waiting for months to get return mail. An organization like this was about the only way a large number of people would ever be able to find each other. 2010-not so much. Anyone with access to a computer can start their own forum for the purpose of finding like minded individuals to trade with. The need for SSE has passed. In fact, I would say the 'True Seed Exchange' is alive and well, on this message board as well as many others. I think that what Kent Whealy said in his latest rant is just about irrelevant at this point. He started a great thing, but he changed along the way. He had a good ride on his non-profit pony for a long while. But many of the 'corporate' type things that changed where his doings. He is the one who decided only his organization could be referred to as 'Seed Savers'. They started selling seeds on his watch. I'm not saying he didn't work hard, just that he had a pretty sweet deal going on. He is the one who started trying to run with the big dogs and ended up bit in the ass.
As far as the whole Svalbard thing, 'they' could have accessed any of the seeds they wanted via the yearbook, same as anyone else. The treaty thing could be worrisome, but who can truly understand what it all means anyway? I don't really think it means much of anything to anyone here. There is info floating around that somewhere they have decided you can't patent natural genes. If that does turn out to be the case, and I can't see that happening without a huge fight, then all of it turns out that it wouldn't do them any good to try to manipulate any heirlooms anyway. Just keep doing what you are doing now. Grow your garden, share your seeds. And you new guys and gals, find yourselves some old Mother Earth News and Organic Gardening. Not the new crap, nothing with a glossy cover. You will find that there really is nothing new under the sun. And many of the ideas that you think are new, have already been covered. At least 30 years ago. No point trying to reinvent the wheel. Sorry for all the run-on sentences.

[synergy]

I think what happens here , by that I mean the small growers is critical to conserve the right and opportunity to produce our own food in the future , and this has everything to do with why we are using open pollinated seed sources . I think it is increasingly difficult to protect the integrity of open pollinated seed. And there is the suggestion that now there are patents on natural organisms :

www.thefutureoffood.com/onlinevideo.html

Plantsnobin Karen , you have some good points but the huge fight, in my opinion, is being lost daily. In my opinion small growers and backyard production and saving seed are the underground resistance protecting our childrens rights to grow food by circumventing the establishment of the agri industries. I for one think you are naieve to think they won't patent natural genes, they will tweak the vocabulary and bury it under legalese but it happens . What is happening in Svalbaard indirectly has everything to do with the future of agri food industries which influence the vast majority of world food production.

[plantsnobin]

The patenting of natural organisms has already happened. Has been happening for quite some time. But more people are aware of the issues now, and perhaps the tide will turn. I'm afraid though that there is more hype and hysteria than facts. There are many whose heart is in the right place, but who don't even truly understand what heirloom, open pollinated, etc, really mean. There are some who think only 'heirloom' seeds should be grown, not even understanding that just because something is old, doesn't mean it is the best variety for a given area. The new stuff being bred by regional growers is where the future should be going, not stubbornly clinging to the past. Breeding new varieties from old doesn't mean genes are 'lost forever'. Just look at how many very knowledgeable breeders are here on this forum discussing their projects. Many very positive things are happening all over the country. Not all that many different crops are important to the mega monsters, so there may be less genetic engineering going on than a lot of people think there is. For most people the stuff in an average garden won't need to worry about keeping their seed pure. Exceptions of course, but for the most part, you'll be fine. The seed bank really doesn't worry me any. Now, if there is anything I do find scary, it is the European seed laws. I don't think many Americans can fully grasp that kind of control.
Again, natural genes have been patented, and Monsanto is behind a good portion of them. But there is hope that this will be reversed. Then they will just think of something else......
I think the best thing that any of us can do is to keep sharing knowlege and plant material. Without too much hype or scare tactics-just let people in your community see what organic gardening can produce for you, let them know that there is a whole world full of people who are happy to give them seeds for the asking. We can't do much of anything about world food production, but we can show people how grow their own.

[mnjrutherford]

Karen, your wisdom is powerful. That's a fascinating film you linked to Synergy.

[paquebot]

Patenting plants has been around quite awhile. The Plant Patent Act was passed in 1930, 4 years after Luther Burbank died without being able to protect the many hundreds of plant varieties that he developed. After the act was passed, 16 patents were granted to him posthumously.

Martin

[grunt]

Just keep on trading and sharing. If we piss them off, they still can't afford to come after each and every one of us. And if they start coming after backyard gardeners like us, the bad press will be enough to get them to back off. If I remember the patenting crap correctly, it is only against the law to make money from patented plants, not illegal to give them away. So, only cover your postage, or give the seeds away.
As for getting banned or having a post deleted by SSE, I am pretty sure that your initial signup with your ISP gives you a web page of your own. If they have pissed you off, post on your own page, and hit all the buzz words you can in the make up, sothat searches will find you.
In short, get out there and get back at them.
I held back and bit my tongue for several years on TVille, as did Val. We found this illustrious place to reside instead, and forewent the pleasure and bad karma of venting as a last act on TVille.
We always found it easier and peasanter to just side step, and pass the seeds on, but never judged those that felt the urge or necessity to smack back.
Thinking back to younger years and misdeeds, there is something infinitely satisfying about dumping someone on their ass when they really need it, even if only verbally.
Cheers
Dan

[lavandulagirl]

Dan, your take on things always cheers me up.

[spaced]

jeez dan, grunt, apologies but if i may be so rude as to verbally drop you on your ass... "YOU clearly DON"T remember the patenting crap correctly!!!" K? Jesus Christ!!!

[flowerpower]

You are being rude. I don't know or care what issues you have with Dan. But don't bring the BS here to HG. The mods here have very little patience for this kind of crap. We don't like to lock threads, but we will if it gets out of hand.

[mnjrutherford]

You are shockingly out of line with that comment Spaced and it won't be tolerated.

On this this board, real discussion is welcome, but the sort of infantile spewage you have posted is not even close to civilized discourse. An apology is in order and should you wish to engage in a real discussion of the matter you will do so in a mature and respectful manner.

I trust that I have made myself quite clear on this matter?

[plantsnobin]

Forget locking threads. Ban. This is obviously not someone who is here for discussion.

[lavandulagirl]

I banned that individual. He had obviously registered simply to harass a valued member. Spaced, if you are reading this as a guest, learn some manners. It will take you far.

[grunt]

Actually folks, I don't see where he stepped out of line.
"jeez dan, grunt, apologies but if i may be so rude as to verbally drop you on your ass... "YOU clearly DON"T remember the patenting crap correctly!!!" K? Jesus Christ!!!"

He first apologizes, in case his comment might offend me, which it doesn't, then uses part of my own statement as a metaphor in his statement. I really don't have a problem with it, although I think he is incorrect.

[mnjrutherford]

Dan, YOU sir, are a gentleman!

[peppereater]

I wish I had the opportunity to drop spaced on his ass, and I don't mean verbally!