Seed Savers--Or CRIMINALS?

One of the most popular movies that we showed during our Winter Film Series was The Future of Food. A major topic in the film centered on how large agricultural corporations have moved aggressively into seed patenting--and that these corporations have actually sued farmers if they dared to save seeds. Or, if plants growing in a farmer's field happened to originate from the corporation's patented seeds--even if the seeds were blown by the wind on to an unsuspecting farmer's field--the farmer could get sued. The movie featured two farmers facing lawsuits of this type.

The Watauga Democrat recently covered a seed swap event that occurred in Boone (see below).

For a little perspective on one of the longest running battles between a seed saving farmer and Monsanto, tune in to this episode of Deconstructing Dinner, yet another radio program you won't hear in the High Country because, well--no one is interested in this kind of stuff up here:

...
The seventh annual Seed Swap and Grower’s School was held Saturday at the Agricultural Conference Center in Boone, with tables piled high with heirloom beans, flower seeds, scion wood, bulbs and vegetable seeds.

The room stayed busy throughout the day and the seed offerings were more diverse and bountiful than ever, thanks to those who brought seeds back to the event that were propagated from seeds originally collected at the swap.

...
The seed swap was co-sponsored by ASU’s sustainable agriculture program and the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service.

Huh. Well maybe WASU-FM will decide to carry programming like Deconstructing Dinner in the future? You know, to support their own sustainable agriculture program? Public service, anyone? We're just sayin'.