Independent seed resources. The consolidation of seed resources and massive loss of genetic diversity is counteracted by organic seed producers.
Regionally adapted and robust. Varieties suited to local conditions are: more biologically diverse; resistant to pressure from disease, pests, climate and higher in nutritional value and taste.
Conventional Seed = more chemicals. Seed crops are in the ground longer than food crops requiring more applications of chemical pesticides and herbicides.
Stronger Seed, Stronger Crops
Seed farmers can select varieties of plants that perform well under local ecological conditions and pressures from disease, pests, and climate. Such selection and breeding will strengthen the organic community by building a sound foundation for organic agriculture with independent seed resources adapted to the unique requirements of organic productions such as low input and biological diversity. Varieties suited to local organic conditions are carefully bred and identified by skilled organic seed growers for unparalleled performance in the field and other traits like increased nutritional value and taste.
Access to Genetic Diversity
Over the last century thousands of local varieties of seed have disappeared. The Food and Agricultural Organizations of the United Nations estimates that nearly 75% of genetic diversity has been lost during that time (www.ifoam.org). The consolidation of the US seed industry continues at an alarming rate with much of the seed industry controlled by 6 big companies. We need to maintain a healthy, vibrant organic seed industry to offer growers and consumers a choice.
Conventional Seed Farming Uses More Chemicals
Seed crops are often in the ground longer then food crops, and the allowance for chemicals used on conventional seed is much higher then conventionally grown crops because seed is considered a non-food crop. This means more chemicals over a longer period of time then anything else we grow, contributing to the degradation of biological diversity and human health. If you eat or grow organic food, organic seed should matter to you.
Please see the 2011 State of Organic Seed Report PDF by the Organic Seed Alliance for more information about organic seed.
