Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumOpen Source Seed Network's Only Restrictions; You Can't Legally Claim Them As Your Own
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Now the garden clubs have their own open source stock to dabble with outside of Monsantos stipulations. The Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) just released their first sale of 29 open source seed varieties on April 17. OSSI is offering newly bred variations of zucchini, barley, kale, lettuce, mustard, carrot, celery, quinoa, squash, peppers and more. All of these seeds are free of restrictions and patents.
Founded in 2011 in and around the University of Wisconsin-Madison by genetic scientists, sociologists and food advocates, OSSI intends to free the seed. These freed seeds are very different than most seeds planted to grow our nations crops. Nearly all American grown corn and soybean seeds are alteredgenetically modifiedto be more drought and pest resistant, and therefore are patented. They are bred and sold by Monsanto, Dupont Pioneer and other farming and biotech giants with a monopoly on seeds. Farmers are not allowed to save such restricted seeds for use the following year. They can not even share seeds with their fellow farmers. Its a controversial subject that has foodies, farmers, environmentalists and geneticists concerned about the future of seeds, the food produced and what it means for diversity in the ecosystem.
These [new varieties of] vegetables are part of our common cultural heritage, and our goal is to make sure these seeds remain in the public domain for people to use in the future, said Professor Irwin Goldman, one of OSSIs founders and University of Wisconsin-Madison horticulture department chair. The new seed varieties shared through the OSSI project wont change the way industrial farms operate or where they obtain their seeds any time soon, but it is a big first step.
If you purchase a pack of the open source seeds, not only will you be supporting this seed movement that threatens the biotech giantsyou know, the Microsofts of seed breedersyoull also be joining a huge gardening club. Your purchase is an agreement that you wont legally restrict the seeds or their produce in any way. You are encouraged to improve them, cross pollinate as early geneticist Gregor Mendel did in the mid 1800s, get back to gardenings roots and to share among your garden club.
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http://ecowatch.com/2014/05/01/open-source-seeds-threat-to-monsanto/
hunter
(38,311 posts)The internet as we know it wouldn't have happened if it had been a proprietary "product" of corporate giants slugging it out in the marketplace and courtrooms.
adirondacker
(2,921 posts)I always had good luck with their seed and plants. The price may startle some, but the quantity (go by weight) and quality are worth it.