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Seed Protocol Discussion Group Progress Report
The aim of this Plant Your Dream Blog is to foster the creation of a Seed Protocol Discussion to add to the drafts of protocols that were accepted by the Simpson Library, Aug 1. These protocols are now being accepted by other states, They can be to amended, The protocols are not laws. They began as suggestions originally intended to be red inked if needed.
A More Mature National Seed Library Protocol could include the following:
A primary intent of the independently organized member run seed libraries that work with support from Seed Libraries in Public Libraries would be to foster food security through developing locally seeds adapted to each local community.
My strategy when I wrote this was that seed library leaders could work toward a national protocol, building upon the protocols accepted by the Simpson Seed Library. I realize that there are restrictive laws in some states such as CA, that appear to block seed exchanges….the legal minds truly need to be at work here. For the states that are more lenient, I feel the Protocols need to be developed as well as looking toward changes where Seed Laws are needed.
August 25, 2014
These are my raw Notes!
Date: 8/19/2014 9:24:43 AM ( 10 y ) ... viewed 2391 times
SEED PROTOCOL DISCUSSION GROUP NOTES
My strategy when I wrote this Plant your Dream Blog was that seed library leaders could work toward a national protocol, building upon the protocols accepted by the Simpson Seed Library. I realize that there are restrictive laws in some states such as CA, that appear to block seed exchanges….the legal minds truly need to be at work here. For the states that are more lenient, I feel the Protocols need to be developed as well as looking toward changes where Seed Laws are needed.
August 25, 2014.
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=2197727
Seed Protocol Story again featured on Seed Libraries Daily
for August 27, 2014
Seed Library Daily August 27th
UPDATE AUGUST 30, 2014
Got the National Heirloom Expo on my mind, Sep. 9,10,11 2014
Leslie Goldman, Your Enchanted Gardener/ Plant Your Dream Blogger from San Diego shares inspirations from the Campaign to Grow A Healthier Pizza. Will you help build our grassroots movement so that Uncle Sam gives up his unholy relationship with Biotech GMO in the farm bed and gets married to “Anti” (Auntie) GMO? Being a matchmaker for this wedding is a job that belongs to all gardeners who want to fulfill the vision of the Founding Gardener Presidents of America the Beautiful. Thousands of new Plant Parents are needed! The wedding date is in your hands. The invitation to the wedding goes out to all who grow food with heirloom seeds and ancient grains. His favorites are Kamut® ancient wheat and heirloom seeds from the Baker Creek collection. Read more here about his workshop, Helping Uncle Sam Marry “Anti” GMO. The Ultimate Gardener: The Best Experts’ Advice for Cultivating a Magnificent Garden with Photos and Stories (HCI, 2009) credits Leslie for photographs and inspiration. The book’s dedication reads: “To Leslie Goldman, The Enchanted Gardener, for planting dreams and seeds of inspiration. To all those who garden and for those who dream to have a garden one day.”Robert Muller, then U.N. Assistant Secretary General, gave Leslie a U.N. Peace Medal in 1983 for the work he would do in his lifetime. That work continues helping us to win back our sacred seeds.
http://theheirloomexpo.com/speakers/
I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON THIS ONE WHEN I GET THE CHANCE!
This is an outstanding story:
State Tweak to Seed Library Rules Ignites Debate
By Bob Warburton on August 27, 2014 5 Comments
http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2014/08/legislation/state-tweak-to-seed-library-rules-ignites-debate/#_
MY COMMENT TO HEATHER SMITH TODAY AUGUST 30, 2014
Heather Smith Story:
Pennsylvania seed-library caper grows loopier
By Heather Smith
12 Aug 2014 2:13 PM 7 comments
http://grist.org/food/pennsylvania-seed-library-caper-grows-loopier/
My Comment:
You are invited to Help Develop a National Seed Library Protocol & Change Seed Laws as Needed http://plantyourdream.net/?p=1...
Heather, looks like there is more to this story than we imagined. Here are some links for anyone who wants some clarity about what really happened and would like to get involved helping to develop a mature national seed library protocol that works for everyone.
Here is my initial research blog, tedious, but accurate.
PLANTING CLARITY! SIMPSON SEED LIBRARY AND AG DEPT WRAP UP
http://curezone.org/blogs/fm.a...
Keep up the great work, Heather. --Leslie Goldman, Your Enchanted Gardener, Plant Your Dream Blog
LOTS OF GOOD STORIES AUGUST 30 ON SEED LIBRARIES TODAY
http://paper.li/seedlibraries/1393671790?edition_id=3e52ef20-3035-11e4-be22-002590721287&utm_campaign=paper_sub&utm_medium=email&utm_source=subscription
JOHHNY ZOOK ON THE WEB, NOTED AUGUST 30, 2014
http://www.zoominfo.com/s/#!search/profile/person?personId=47517174&targetid=profile
THE ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL SEED ANALYSTS
TWITtER
@aosaseed
ON FACEBOOK
on want to explore this when I have time….
https://www.facebook.com/aosaseed
http://www.aosaseed.com
UPDATE AUGUST 28, 2014
You are invited to Help Develop a National Seed Library Protocol & Change Seed Laws as Needed
http://plantyourdream.net/?p=19058
View the future! This is the Petaluma Seed Bank, where the dreams and visions of a teenager years ago, Jere Gettle, gave birth to the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed collection, and with the help of an outstanding staff, the upcoming National Heirloom Expo September 9,10,11, 2014. The national Seed Library movement was not on my radar until Johnny Zook, Seed Program Supervisor for the Penn Department of Ag wrote a well intended letter to the newly formed Simpson Seed Library in Mechanicsburg, PA, June 12. He let them know that there were state Seed Laws. A few months later, we have an opportunity, as Departments of Ag everywhere are looking into Seed Library Protocols and how individual Seed Laws relate to Seed Libraries. Will you, as a Seed Saving Enthusiast, as a Supporter of Seed Libraries, as a GMO Educator. answers some informed answers to Johnny Zook so that National Seed Library Protocols can reflect deep wisdom?
THIS IS MY MOST RECENT EMAIL FROM JOHNNY ZOOK
UPDATE AUGUST 27, 2014
Set up the Discussion now on the Seed Library Network Site.
http://seedlibraries.org/forum/topics/working-toward-a-national-protocol-changing-the-seed-laws-as-well
The purpose of this Seed Library Social Network Discussion is Working Toward a National Protocol & Changing the Seed Laws as well as Needed. It is being set up with the encouragement of Devon Grissim, who founded The Seed Library Social Network site, and Rick Passo, a member of the Las Vegas Seed Library. Both have been extremely inspiring to me in recent weeks. I began writing about the Simpson Seed Library-Department of Ag Communications four days after the Draft of proposed Protocols for running the Simpson Library and Seed Libraries in Pennsylvania were accepted "as is" by the Simpson Seed Library, August 1.
I went to a number of original sources including Johnny Zook, Seed Program Supervisor, for the PA Department of Ag, and Jonelle Darr, Cumberland County LIbrary Executive Director. Both of them read over my primary story for accuracy.
PLANTING CLARITY! SIMPSON SEED LIBRARY AND AG DEPT WRAP UP
http://curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2196853
My most recent Plant Your Dream Blog compiles my latest research that has led me to see it would be wise to come up with a mature well rounded set of National Protocols in support of Seed Libraries that also allows them to function within existing Seed Laws.
My strategy when I wrote this was that seed library leaders could work toward a national protocol, building upon the protocols accepted by the Simpson Seed Library. I realize that there are restrictive laws in some states such as CA, that appear to block seed exchanges….the legal minds truly need to be at work here. For the states that are more lenient, I feel the Protocols need to be developed as well as looking toward changes where Seed Laws are needed. August 25, 2014
SEED PROTOCOL DISCUSSION GROUP NOTES
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=2197727
COMMUNICATIONS WITH JOHNNY ZOOK, SEED PROGRAM SUPERVISOR, PA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
I have numbers of emails and phone conversations with Johnny Zook. As of August 27, 2014, my assessment is: If Seed Laws in some states, such as California, were as lenient as Seed Laws in Pennsylvania, we would have an easier time moving toward National Protocols without the need to change Seed Laws.
I have found Johnny Zook well meaning and accessible. He has been forthcoming with ideas and suggestions.
In my most recent email of he said:
On Aug 26, 2014, at 5:27 AM, "Zook, Johnny" wrote:
I am willing to take suggestions, and if you know people [that] have ideas it would be good for me to have them sooner than later.
Numbers of states are reaching out to him now and they will be modeling their protocols on what the Simpson Library accepted.
The "soon the better" that we discuss here what we want to be accepted.
Leslie Goldman Your Enchanted Gardener Plant Your Dream Blog
LATEST EMAIL FROM JOHNNY ZOOK
Subject: RE: Suggested Draft for an additional Protocol and Procedure for adding protocols. Please comment, Johnny.
Date: August 26, 2014 5:27:58 AM PDT
To: Leslie Goldman
Hi Leslie,
However, the protocols get worked out is not so much the issue, but rather does an action(s) cause the activity to be classified as “Seed Distribution”. As long as we can have a logical/reasonable way to say the activity is not seed distribution, then its fine to operate without concern of the Seed Act – speaking for Pennsylvania. Also, in PA, once the Seed Library is big enough it could function within the Seed Act. $25.00 for seed license fee and $7.00 for each 400 seed Germination test would be the ‘cost’; and, not that printing is hard, the seed label can be hand written as long as it is legible.
I am willing to take suggestions, and if you know people have ideas it would be good for me to have them sooner than later.
As to your suggested protocol – it’s more of a mission statement than a protocol – how would it actually work? I get the idea though that you would like something that says a sellect or exclusive group would share/pool seeds to work on developing locally adapted seeds; a members only kind of thing… I guess it would depend on how that is done and if then resulting seeds are kept within the group or if they then share them with the public at large… I don’t know… I need more concrete procedure to evaluate to give a definite answer.
Thanks
Johnny
EMAILS WITH JOHNNY ZOOK
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=2196941
UPDATE AUGUST 25, 2014
HERE ARE TWO MORE BLOGS WRITTEN AUGUST 25 ABOUT THE SEED LAWS, ESPECIALLY IN CA THAT APPEAR TO BLOCK SEED EXCHANGES
MORE FOOD GROWERS NEEDED BUT SEED LAWS MAY BE RESTRICTIVE
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=2199135
SEED LAWS IN CA APPEAR TO BE STRICTER THAN IN PENNSYLVANIA
It appears that where Seed Laws in Pennsylvania can be circumvented to allow for seed swaps and Seed Library members to organize their own independent Seed Banks, this is not the case in California
August 25, 2014
6:35 pm
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=2199204
UPDATE AUG 23, 2014
Heirloom Seeds on the glass at the Petaluma Seed Bank, western headquarters of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. The National Heirloom Expo is organized from this location. I have a dream that one day real values will be re-established in America and all banks will have Seed Banks. I have been watching the developments between the Simpson Seed Library and Penn Department of Ag for three weeks now. I hope to contribute to Planting Clarity. Thus far I have written a detailed Wrap Up. This Blog shares a Seed Dream for a National Protocol Discussion Group to come up with more mature Protocols that will be acceptable to all concerned.
My intent is to shift gears and begin preparing more for my trip to the National Heirloom Expo, September 9,10, 11 in Santa Rosa. I will do a class there 11:30 am Tuesday on Helping Uncle Sam Marry Auntie (Auntie) GMO. I believe this marriage will come as more of us get engaged planted heirloom open pollinated seeds and ancient grains.
Since August 5, my attention was drawn to the Simpson Seed Library-Department of Ag Communications and the resulting stories that set the internet ablaze. My attempt to clarify some of the misinformation was addressed in a lengthy research story that was picked up by Seed Libraries Dailty on August 22, 2013.
Seed Libraries Dailty on August 22, 2013
This was the same day the they picked up on the WSJ piece called
"Gardeners on Alert as Pennsylvania Targets Risks of Seed Exchanges -"
UPDATE SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014--THERE WILL BE MANY MORE SEED LIBRARIES, SEED LIBRARIES IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES, AND SEED BANKS IN BANK BUILDINGS
I am excited to see this in my mind's eye now. I know something good is coming out of the communications that began between the Simpson Seed Library-Penn Department of Ag.
10:48 am
UPDATE ON SEED PROTOCOL PROGRESS REPORT
9:39 am
Friday August 22, 2014
Spoke with David King today and Johnny Zook. I have been wanting to facilitate a beginning communication between them.
Johnny Zook responded first to David with a brief email:
On Aug 19, 2014, at 4:31 AM, "Zook, Johnny" wrote:
David,
I would welcome any thought or concerns you have about the Seed Library protocol being used in PA.
Thank you
Johnny
8:37 am
Friday, August 22, 2014
David told me today that he is writing something coherent to send to Johny Zook.
THIS IS A COMMENT I LEFT ON THE SEED LIBRARY SOCIAL NETWORK SITE, AUGUST 23, 2014
http://seedlibraries.org/profiles/blog/show?id=6493903%3ABlogPost%3A13606&commentId=6493903%3AComment%3A13435&xg_source=activity
Please Join this site.
Devon, I am inspired by your message here this morning, especially as I work with images to Plant Clarity around the Simpson Seed Library-Pennsylvania Department of Ag Communications. It is three weeks now since I began writing about this issue. I so appreciate your support with helping me get the word out about my story called Planting Clarity! A Simpson Seed Library-Department of Ag Wrap Up. http://curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2196853
This story was intended to clarify some of the relationships that are just beginning to get clear as we begin to focus on what I sense will become a national conversation on Seed Saving, Support for Seed Libraries, and GMO Education.
After my initial upset because I imagined that an assault was being made on Seed Saving, I contacted Johnny Zook, the Seed Program Supervisor for the Penn Department of Ag. He began the communications and conversations with the Simpson Seed Library. I discovered a welcoming voice. He was open to my ideas.
I learned that he and his department were not out to crackdown or shutdown the Simpson Seed Library. He was more concerned with Truth in Labeling issues and making sure that the Seed Libraries knew about the Seed Laws. His position was not adversarial, although you would never know that from stories that set the internet ablaze. Most of this early information came from the Naomi Cleason piece of July 31 in the Carlisle Sentinel where the worlds "Crackdown" and "Argi-Terrorism" first got into collapsed conversations.
TOWARD MORE MATURE NATIONAL PROTOCOLS
My latest work, Toward a National Protocol Discussion is here on the Plant Your Dream Blog: http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=2197727.
Here are a few points I want to clarify now, as I see it.
The Protocols that were accepted by the Simpson Library in behalf of its Seed Library were intended as a Draft. Johnny Zook imagined they would be red inked, edited in a back and forth conversation. They were accepted "as is" by the Simpson Seed Library.
A critical issue that was left out of the Protocols is the importance of locally adapted biodiverse healthy plants suited to each individual bioregion. This is for the purpose of authentic Food Security that many of us know needs to be locally based.
This understanding was not expressed in the original meeting of July 8 when a group including reps from the Department of Ag and the Simpson Library got together to come up with the protocols that are now accepted and are being accepted by various states. The reps from the Simpson Seed Library did not bring them up. Johnny Zook, in my conversation with him August 22, said that he had been contacted by six states so far looking toward the protocols with the idea of adopting them.
He also told me in emails that he was open to hearing from Seed Library Leaders.
My Seed Dream that I have literally planted is that key Seed Library Leaders will help in coming up with a more mature Protocol that will be accepted nationally. I believe that entering a positive communication with Johnny Zook is a good place to begin.
I do not believe we are in a war here, we are in a national education process. We are just getting into the process of clarifying.
PLEASE READ NEWSPAPER HEADLINES DISCERNINGLY
We cannot look to newspaper headlines to make the news for us. Words in the Wall Street Journal Article of August 21 I find still inflammatory: Gardeners on Alert As Pennsylvania Targets Risks of Seed Exchange. http://online.wsj.com/articles/gardeners-on-alert-as-pennsylvania-t...
I do not feel that the "Risks" were the primary concern of Johnny Zook. He was more concerned with Communicating about the existing Laws and helping the Simpson Seed Library retool so it could function as a Seed Library without being classified as a Seed Distributor. The Laws define Commercial Sales Operations. He points out what these laws were, and then the group that met went about making Protocols that they thought would work.
In subsequent conversations and emails I have had with him, he found the compelling argument and importance of locally adapted seeds interesting. He made his own suggestions for how this could work and saw the advantages of having the Seed Bank in the hands of the members and stored in different places outside the Library itself. How the members organized the Seed Banks was not the concern of the Department of Agriculture. That is our work to do.
He made it clear to me on August 22 that these Protocols are not laws. They can be amended to reflect the Values that we find so important. He also told me that it would be easier to work with the Protocols that attempting to change the Seed Laws.
The Protocols as they exist now are worth studying. We can find ways to adapt to those that work or add to them.
THIS IS AN STORY IN THE SENTINEL OF AUGUST 5 2014 THAT PRINTS ONLINE THE PROTOCOLS
http://cumberlink.com/proposed-seed-library-protocol/article_6f812cb0-1cf3-11e4-ac2d-0019bb2963f4.html
ON SEED VALUES
“Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has
been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed
there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.”--Henry David Thoreau
Devon, I like very much that you are taking about Seed Values.
Seeds have always been my teacher. I call this Plant Parenthood.
The notecard from the Simpson Library says: New Heights of Knowledge. What better education can we get that to be gardeners and allow the seeds to reparent us?
We are merely entering the beginning of a grand conversation. Where will it end? I want to see more gardeners. I want to see more people get Engaged in growing Heirloom Seeds and Ancient Grains. When we get Engaged this creates the Grassroots movement that will lead to a gov shift in awareness.
I am not against government. I merely want to see us accept that we are here to govern ourselves and allow the seeds to help us get our Values--and beat back with nature.
WHAT PROTOCOLS WOULD YOU ADD?
WHAT TEACHINGS WOULD YOU SHARE WITH THiS DEPARTMENT OF AG AND OTHERS?
On a practical note, I suggest that one Protocol that can be added says,
A primary intent of the independently organized member run seed libraries that work with support from Seed Libraries in Public Libraries would be to foster food security through developing locally seeds adapted to each local community.
What Protocols would you add?
ADD HERE
http://cumberlink.com/proposed-seed-library-protocol/article_6f812cb0-1cf3-11e4-ac2d-0019bb2963f4.html
##
Leslie Goldman, Your Enchanted Gardener, writes daily on the Plant Your Dream Blog. He will be leading an opening ceremony and class called, Helping Uncle Sam Marry Auntie (Anti) GMO at 11:30 am, September 9, 2014 at the National Heirloom Expo in Kraft Hall, Sonoma County Fairgrounds.
He teaches the children at 12:15, Wed 10 on Growing a Heathier Pizza with Plant Your Dream Seeds in the Education & Fun Area.
He looks forward to participating in The National Seed Library Summit that will take place 4-6 pm on Wed. September 10 at the National Heirloom Expo.
Leslie's Teachings for the Expo are being compiled here:
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=2197699
I AM GRATEFUL THAT OTHER SEED LEADERS ARE BEGINNING TO COMMUNICATE WITH JOHNNY ZOOK. THEY MAY NOT YET KNOW THAT HE IS A HELPFUL VOICE
COMMENT MADE ON DAVID KINGS SITE AUGUST 22
David King Writes:
http://slola.blogspot.com/2014/08/seed-libraries-are-not-commercial.html
indigenous peoples' seeds are never maintained by commercial seed houses - the only way they are propagated and distributed in the main is through non-commercial seed libraries and exchanges
e.) the seeds already being grown locally comprise a viable and valuable gene pool that must be curated to avoid losing that biological diversity
f.) the only way for a bioregion to be food secure is through seed security - in other words, having our own seeds already in the community and not being dependent on large corporations with balance sheets that do not care if people in our local community can afford to eat
MY COMMENT
A More Mature National Seed Library Protocol include the following:
A primary intent of the member run seed library is to foster local food security through developing locally seeds adapted to the local community.
I appreciate these thoughts that can be worked into a national suggested protocol that states can follow.
I want to point out that in my most recent communication with Johnny Zook, Seed Program Supervisor for the Pennsylvania Department of Ag, he explained that the intent of the original communications with the Simpson Seed Library was to help them come into alignment with existing Seeds Laws so that they would not be classified as Seed Distributors.
He told me that when he sat down with the Simpson Library staff July 8 to come up with suggested protocols, the protocols that were written came from ideas that they gave as well as others in the room.
There was no mention of the importance of locally adapted seeds as you mention that are so critical to the Seed Library and its purpose.
His intent in further discussions has been to let it be known that seed libraries can organize themselves in ways that do not bring them under the regulations of the seed laws.
Your Model of having the repository of seeds in the hands of the seed library is key to working around the need for a seed license.
Public Libraries can continue to host the Seed Libraries whose seed banks remain in the hands of their members.
The only difference here is that that Public Library Seed Library cannot be the place where returned seeds are deposited. They can continue to hand out new seeds to new prospective members.
Returned grown out seeds are cultivated by the members under their own infrastructure.
Johnny Zook mentioned to me August 22 that numbers of other states (6) are contacting him now and looking to adapt protocols that came from the original protocols that were accepted by the Simpson Seed Library.
It would be good to initiate a National Protocol Discussion that creates a mature set of protocols that works for all. He is open to receiving feedback and thoughts. I would suggest making suggestions for what additional protocols can be included in a more mature national protocol that serves the needs of everyone.
HERE ARE MY MAIN PLANT YOUR DREAM BLOGS ON THIS
PLANTING CLARITY! SIMPSON SEED LIBRARY AND AG DEPT WRAP UP
This is a very lengthy blog intended to clear up the misunderstandings generated by stories that set the internet abase. An intent is to share my understanding that Johhny Zook, the Seed Program supervisor for the Penn Dept of Ag, was well meaning in his letters that aimed to alert the Simpson Library about seed distribution laws. Communications with him indicate it would be possible to work around the existing seed laws rather than spend the energy attempting to change them.
http://curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2196853
SEED PROTOCOL DISCUSSION GROUP NOTES
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=2197727
HERE IS A COMMENT I JUST MADE ON ONE SEED LIBRARY LEADERS SITE
At 1:13 pm on August 22, 2014, Leslie Goldman said…
I would like to invite you to participate in a National Suggested Protocol Discussion Group here on this site that I would like to initiate.
I have been in extensive communications with Johnny Zook, Seed Program Supervisor. In his latest conversation of August 22 he reports that when the initial protocols were made July 8, they came from listening to what the Simpson Seed Library was asking for. They did not mention the importance of developing locally adapted seeds. His main intent was to communicate that in receiving seeds back from growers, the Public Library Seed Bank would be classified as Seed Distributors. He has addressed that it is possible for the Seed Library to not be classified as a seed distributor. Seed Libraries do not have to get seed license if they organize their seed banks and stocks independent of the Public Library Seed Library. A model for this is the Seed Library of Los Angeles and I am sure many others. The Public Library can continue to act as an education place for Seed Saving and more as well as place where new gardeners can begin to get seeds. The infrastructure of how the individual Seed Library members structure themselves is up to them. Johnny Zook told me that the Protocols were intended to inspire a back and forth conversation. The Simpson Seed Library accepted them as written. They are not laws. They can be amended. It is important that Seed Library Leaders take an interest in following up this approach to work with the Protocols. He welcomes communication with seed library leaders.
He told me that there are no less than six other states who have connecting him so far looking for the Pennsylvania Protocols as a model for what they should follow. He has been contacted so far by Department of Ags from Wisconsin, Maryland, Minn, Ca, Missouri, and Kentucky.
I hope this information helps.
PlEASE READ MY INITIAL BLOG CALLED PLANTING CLARITY,
SIMPSON LIBRARY-DEPARTMENT OF AG WRAP UP
http://curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2196853
I AM PUTTING MY NOTES HERE SO FAR TOWARD A NATIONAL PROTOCOL
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=2197727
THIS INTERVIEW WITH JAY HOWES CORROBORATES WHAT I SAY IN MY WRAP UP STORY
The Department of Ag had no intent to crack down or shutdown the Simpson Seed Library, merely help it retool in alignment with existing Seed Laws.
http://www.alleghenyfront.org/story/state-responds-seed-library-controversy
HOW THE CURRENTLY ACCEPTED PROTOCOLS THAT ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED BY OTHER STATES CAME INTO BEING
ON AUG 13, 2014, AT 5:41 AM, ZOOK, JOHNNY WROTE:
Hi Leslie,
The protocols were developed based on the information that the Simpson Library gave us. They told us their goals and intentions. They did not mention anything about developing local eco-type adapted seed/plants. But even so, I don’t see the protocol as written preventing that from happening.
The meeting with the library was on the 8th of July in Rep. Delozier’s office. The people in attendance were Beverly Kawaller - from Rep. Delozier’s office, Jay Howes - Deputy Secretary of Ag, Kerry Golden – Agricultural Liaison, Erin Bubb – Agronomic and Regional Services Division Chief, myself - Seed Program Supervisor and three reps from the Seed Library.
I don’t remember the term “patent infringement” coming up, but I think proprietary rights being considered, was talked about.
I don’t mind inputs/feedback from other people.
Regards
Johnny
This meeting July 8, came in response to the initial letter from Johnny Zook that is available on the Simpson Seed Library site.
THIS IS THE LETTER THAT WAS SENT TO THE SIMPSON LIBRARY
This is the letter sent July 10 to the Simpson Library with a draft of the protocols. It was accepted August 1.
http://www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org/sites/default/files/SIM/Documents/Misc/2014_SeedLibrary_Protocol.pdf
I explored the Protocols in this Plant Your Dream Blog
http://curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2194704
I AM PUTTING THIS HERE. IT IS FROM DAVID TO KING TO ME. I ASKED TO PUT IT UP
On Aug 19, 2014, at 8:39 AM, David King wrote:
Hi Leslie - your article seems to cover all the different angles and set a tone for future discussions.
Points without agreement appear to continue to be, return of seed - enabling communities to become seed independent and allowing non-hybrid crops to be selected for superior performance at the local level and allowing a seed library to curate the collection.
I do understand how hard it is to change laws. I've been involved with some of that. This appears, to me, to be a case where nothing short of that is the solution. To be in a gray area with the law leaves us open to some zealot who decides we are not in compliance who elects to destroy our collection. There must be an absolute guarantee that we can keep our seeds. Way too much work and time goes into selecting a variety for performance year after year; to put that time and effort at risk is patently unacceptable. So one hard (curating the collection) vs another hard (growing seeds out year after year).
We have over 800 members. In Los Angeles, that is not a great feat. From those 800, probably 150 are serious about saving seeds - they are good gardeners and good seed stewards: They know what they are doing. From that, there are about 30 that have the land, the time and the knowledge and upon these people, most of the seed saving devolves. This year, I am growing out one tomato (Burbank's Slicer - a program I've got four years invested in), three beans (Pencil Pod, a Native American tepary bean and a family heirloom from Italy almost lost when the current family member didn't grow it out for 15 years or so) and two corn varieties (Country Gentleman, aka Shoepeg and Mohawk Red Bread). So one person can contribute a lot if they know what they are doing and controlling the pollination as needed. With the heavier seeds, I'll have over a pound of each to share.
Seed libraries will fail in the future as fast as they are becoming popular now if they are unable to provide fresh, viable and true to type seed. We cannot depend on outside sources for seed as that defeats one of our primary purposes - to grow and maintain locally adapted seeds. A part of the folly of modern agriculture is the loss of the concept that all farming (gardening) is local in nature and cannot be consolidated into the hands of even super-regional companies, let alone the huge multi-nationals that rule the roost today. The loss of our food crops' biodiversity is appallingly frightful. We are, in many ways, no better off than Ireland c 1840 and the potato famine, as far as the gene pool for our primary food crops. Seed libraries form a backstop to this loss of biodiversity and keep alive the varieties that have fed humans over hundreds of years. Seed libraries are an absolute essential part of a vibrant food supply, augmenting the commercial sector with varieties that are no longer carried or are marginalized in their distribution. It used to be considered that varieties dropped by seed companies were poorly performing ones, but we can now see the consolidation of the seed industries caused way too many varieties to be dropped in favor of a better balance sheet. This is acceptable business practice but unacceptable food policy.
Vibrant and viable seed libraries are essential to our lives today as agriculture continues to amalgamate and narrow its focus down to only a few crops that, with government subsidies, are profitable for farmers. Feeding the population continues to devolve on an under-explored small, urban farm paradigm that will need these seeds that seed libraries are preserving. Our food supply may soon one day depend, at least in part, on local libraries. They must be robust and viable.
As a gardener who has grown from his own seeds for many years, I know what we face and I know that education is essential to this process. I also know that mistakes and crosses are inevitable; we can hope that something good comes from them. But if you cannot come to my library and confidently check out Shoepeg corn that grows true to the genotype, you won't come to my library anymore. We have got to teach our members how to properly grow out what they say they are growing out. This is not that hard. It does require an attention span and that alone may be our biggest obstacle. However, we have young folks coming through our library that, starting in their early twenties, will probably have a better command of the process than I ever will having only come to this in my 50's.
The past 50 years - over my lifetime - has proven to me we cannot trust such vital matters to industry or government. The focus in both cases is wrong - misled by the profit/loss statement. Seeds are life. Yo soy maize is heard a lot in our meso-American communities. We all are the seeds we grow. We must not loose sight of that simple, profound truth.
david
Journal.
I spoke to David King today. He is writing a coherent statement that addresses what he would add to the protocols.
HERE ARE THE PROTOCOLS
THIS IS THE LETTER THAT WAS SENT TO THE SIMPSON LIBRARY JULY 10
http://www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org/sites/default/files/SIM/Documents/Misc/2014_SeedLibrary_Protocol.pdf
THIS IS AN STORY IN THE SENTINEL OF AUGUST 5 2014 THAT PRINTS ONLINE THE PROTOCOLS
http://cumberlink.com/proposed-seed-library-protocol/article_6f812cb0-1cf3-11e4-ac2d-0019bb2963f4.html
These are suggested protocols, Johnny Zook Told me. I need to ask.
Johnny Zook lives not far from Mechanicsburg, PA. He saw the press the Simpson Seed Library was getting. He talked to others in the department about it and they confirmed that how the Seed Library was working them classified them as Seed Distributors under the regulations of the Seed Law. That is when he initiated the first letter.
Johnny Zook told me in our conversation of Friday August 22, 2014 that the Simpson Library staff did not mention about the importance of locally adapted seeds when the group met in the meeting. The meeting he was referring to happened July 8. It was called by House of Rep member Sheryl DeLosier.
These are suggested protocols. They are not regulatory. They are not like the Seed Laws themselves. They are to help the Seed Libraries in Public Libraries function without being classified as Seed Distributors.
Six states--in touch with him. Basically, the Seed Libraries can function in conjunction with Public Libraries, but the function of adapting local seeds remains in the hands of the Seed Library members who work together as their own independent repository.
The Protocols are not laws, they were suggestions for how to function within the Seed Laws as they now exist.
When they got together July 8, they listened to what the library wanted and added those to the protocols. The library did not make any mention of the priority that adapting seeds was critical to the success of the Seed Library Model.
I asked if further suggested protocols could be added, and he said "yes."
Other states are getting in on this and calling him. Six states have connected Johnny Zook so far.
Wisconsin
Maryland
Minn
Ca
Missouri--
Kentucky
JAY HOWES INTERVIEW CORROBORATES THE INFORMATION THAT I HAVE IN MY STORY
The story is called, "State Responds to Seed Library Controversy."
This story says:
The story started with seed exchange program at the Joseph T. Simpson Public Library in Mechanicsburg, in Cumberland County. Jay Howes is Deputy Secretary for Consumer Protection and Regulatory Affairs with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. He says his department did write to the library with concerns about its seed program, because the way it was organized violated the state's Seed Act. But Howes says the department was helping the library re-tool its program to comply with the law, and wasn't shutting it down. Below Howes addresses some of the questions surrounding the highly publicized situation.
- See more at: http://www.alleghenyfront.org/story/state-responds-seed-library-controversy#sthash.UVWLFQop.dpuf
http://www.alleghenyfront.org/story/state-responds-seed-library-controversy
"What we are doing here is bigger than all of us, but not so big that we can't make a difference"--Richard Passo, Seed Library of Las Vegas, August 22, 2014; 9:55 am, phone conversation
7:43 am
Friday August 22, 2014
I am participating in a Seed Protocol Discussion on facebook.
Here is one comment I just made.
I will explain more later.
Fantastic and important questions asked about preserving the local adapted varieties and building unique seeds suitable to the miicroclimates. This is a priority. I will address this asap and what the Penn Protocals as they stand now say, as well as further conversations I have had with Johnny Zook from the Penn DOA. He has been very receptive to my thoughts on the need to adapt local seeds. He has made suggestions as to how this can happen circumventing the seed law of Penn and likely other seed laws that are similar in other states. The native and heirloom seeds will prevail because the¥ have intelligence and laws of their own. We are instruments attempting to bring our own intelligence and laws into sync with their higher laws. more later…Leslie
I WANT TO REPLY TO THIS
Here is my reply:
I am a professional blogger. Everyone has their unique gifts. We are all Sacred Seeds and when we connect with the intelligence of the Sacred Seeds of Ancient Grains and Heirloom Seeds, we are entering what I call Plant Parenthood. The Seed Library Movement is helping to create more gardeners and will help shift the national consciousness.
Start small. Just get one pot growing if you are new to gardening with intention. All you need is one pot growing. Get your Green Thumb feeling good. My favorite seed to grow now in ancient wheat of Kamut® khorasan wheat. In good soil in can grow one inch a day, even in Las Vegas.
Set an intention for what you will harvest when you plant your dream.
My intent here is that there will be a national protocol that is good for all, most especially the native and heirloom seeds and ancient grains.
There will be a national conversation about seed saving, support for seed libraries, and GMO Education.
Note: I include GMO education because heirloom seeds become contaminated by GMO seeds. This is readily available information and I will give links for others to understand this.
It is important that members of seed libraries understand that the public library is a vehicle for teaching about seed saving. They can host seed swaps where the members bring their harvests to exchange. They can help catalogue the information provided by the Members who need to form their own self empowered group that is separate yet dovetails with the Seed Library in the Public Library.
Seed Sovereignty and the ownership of the adapted seeds remains in the hands of the individual Member Groups. This Group is supported by the Public Library. The Public Library continues to give out new Heirloom Seeds and attract new members. Likely, the members can hold meetings in the Public Library. I will check this last point out with Johnny Zook, Seed Program Supervisor for the Penn DOA. He has shown himself to be an ally.
The work of places like the Native Seed Search Library and their gardens are the key to the strength of the movement. The Seed Library of Los Angeles, David King, is a good model.
More later…8:02 am
SIGNATURE FOR PLANTING CLARITY! SIMPSON SEED LIBRARY-DEPARTMENT OF AG COMMUNICATIONS
I ordered some memorability from the Simpson Public Library site that arrived August 18, 2014. I would like to take these to The National Heirloom Expo September 9,10,11 in Santa Rosa, Ca, where I will teach as well as participate in a National Seed Library Summit. I went into the garden to plant Ancient Grains of Kamut ® Khorasan wheat today that had been sprouting during the last week. I am planting seeds for clarity around the Simpson Seed Library-Department of Ag Communications. May good come from the communication. May all our work pave the way for Seed Libraries to continue to flourish with the well wishes of all. May a National Conversation emerge in support of Seed Saving, Support for Seed Libraries, and GMO Education. I wrote Plant Your Dream Blogs to contribute to this clarity and good outcomes. Today, I heard from Johnny Zook, Seed Program Supervisor, Penn Department of Ag, and Jonelle Darr, Cumberland County Executive Director, home of the Simpson Seed Library. Darr thanked me for attempting to correct the facts and said, "From what I could see, the information that you have regarding my statements, and the library's actions are correct." Johnny Zook said he liked the story and that I included what needed to be told regarding their communications. Here is the story, "Planting Clarity! Simpson Seed Library and Ag Dept Wrap Up," "Planting Clarity! Simpson Seed Library and Ag Dept Wrap Up," --Leslie Goldman, Your Enchanted Gardener, August 18, 2014.
PLANTING CLARITY! SIMPSON SEED LIBRARY AND AG DEPT WRAP UP
http://curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2196853
SEED PROTOCOL DISCUSSION GROUP NOTES
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=2197727
PLANTING SEEDS FOR A NATIONAL CONVERSATION
http://curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2193937
AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA ASKING FOR SUPPORT FOR SEED LIBRARIES AND GMO EDUCATION
http://curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2193991
HELPING UNCLE SAM MARRY AUNTIE (ANTI) GMO
http://curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2181365
TEACHINGS FOR THE NATIONAL HEIRLOOM EXPO FROM LESLIE GOLDMAN 2014
I am schedule to teach Helping Uncle Sam Marry Auntie (Auntie) GMO
at 11:30 Tuesday, September 9, in Kraft Hall.
I am scheduled to teach Growing a Healthier Pizza with Plant Your Dream Seeds, with the youth, at 12:15-12:45 pm,, Wed, September 10, 2014 in the Educational & Fun Area.
Got the National Heirloom Expo on my mind, Sep. 9,10,11 2014
Leslie Goldman, Your Enchanted Gardener/ Plant Your Dream Blogger from San Diego shares inspirations from the Campaign to Grow A Healthier Pizza. Will you help build our grassroots movement so that Uncle Sam gives up his unholy relationship with Biotech GMO in the farm bed and gets married to “Anti” (Auntie) GMO? Being a matchmaker for this wedding is a job that belongs to all gardeners who want to fulfill the vision of the Founding Gardener Presidents of America the Beautiful. Thousands of new Plant Parents are needed! The wedding date is in your hands. The invitation to the wedding goes out to all who grow food with heirloom seeds and ancient grains. His favorites are Kamut® ancient wheat and heirloom seeds from the Baker Creek collection. Read more here about his workshop, Helping Uncle Sam Marry “Anti” GMO. The Ultimate Gardener: The Best Experts’ Advice for Cultivating a Magnificent Garden with Photos and Stories (HCI, 2009) credits Leslie for photographs and inspiration. The book’s dedication reads: “To Leslie Goldman, The Enchanted Gardener, for planting dreams and seeds of inspiration. To all those who garden and for those who dream to have a garden one day.”Robert Muller, then U.N. Assistant Secretary General, gave Leslie a U.N. Peace Medal in 1983 for the work he would do in his lifetime. That work continues helping us to win back our sacred seeds.
http://theheirloomexpo.com/speakers/
http://theheirloomexpo.com/speakers/
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=2197699
COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE SIMPSON LIBRARY AND THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AG ON THE SIMPSON LIBRARY SITE
The Simpson Public Library has done a wonderful job of detailing the main communications about the unfoldment of these events.
http://www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org/?q=SIM_SeedLibrary
This Art, How Fast Can a Dream Grow! As Fast as a Blade of Grass! is the centerpiece of our Grow A Healthier Pizza Campaign. Canvas copies are available. Contact me, 619.384.2631.
A GROWING NUMBER OF SEED LIBRARIES NOW EXIST IN MANY PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
This is the way the Seed Library has been working;
Seed libraries, often located in public libraries or other community gathering points, are institutions created for the purpose of sharing seeds. The idea is that a library patron can “check-out” seeds to grow themselves, let “go-to-seed”, and then return seeds to the library to share with other community members. The seeds circulated at lending libraries are usually regionally-adapted and heirloom (unlike most commercial “hybrid” seeds, so that the next generation of seeds will produce plants similar to the parent plant). The purpose of most seed libraries is to provide an alternative to genetically modified seeds, increase biodiversity and plant resilience, and reconnect local people with their food systems.
More about Seed Libraries are found on the seed library social network site
RETURNING SEEDS TO THE SIMPSON LIBRARY
The issue that surfaced through interactions between the Simpson Seed Library and the Pennsylvania Department of Ag was the problem of returning seeds to the Public Library Seed Library. This brought the Seed Library under regulation through the Seed Law of Pennsylvania that has specific rules for seed distributors, Many States have similar seed laws that mirror a Federal seed Law.
MANY SEED LIBRARIES BECAME CONCERNED WHEN THE STORY ABOUT THE SIMPSON SEED LIBRARY AND ITS INTERACTIONS WITH THE PENN DEPARTMENT OF AG WENT VIRAL
David King, who founded the Seed Library of Los Angeles, asks the question in one recent Post, "Are Seed Libraries Illegal?" He is heavily quoted on other subjects in Naomi Cleason's August 5 story in the Carlisle Sentinel "Pa. department backs seed library protocol as reaction grows" . Others are exploring, "Setting the Record Straight on the Legality of Seed Libraries".
NATIONAL SEED LIBRARY SUMMIT
There will also be a National Seed Library Summit
at this Heirloom Expo scheduled for 4-6 pm, Wed, September 10. I want to meet some of the leaders. More details will be forthcoming.
LOOKING TO ADD A GROUP TO TO THE SEED LIBRARY SOCIAL NETWORK SITE
I would add a group here.
http://seedlibraries.org/groups/group/new
THESE ARE WORDS THAT I WORKED WITH AND SENT TO TWO PEOPLE
Suggested Added Protocols--Simpson Seed Library-Penn Department of Ag
This is what I wrote so far to go up on the Seed Library Network Site:
I am planting a Seed Dream that the Simpson Seed Library-Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Communications that inspired a set of Protocols for Seed Libraries will inspire a more well rounded set of Protocols that paves the way for many more Seed Libraries and Seed Banks.
This discussion group will come up additional protocols that will be submitted to Johnny Zook, Seed Program Supervisor, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
The Protocols initiated by a group July 8, intended to be a draft, were accepted by the Simpson Seed Library as is, who responded August 1.
There was no mention of numbers of important issues in these accepted protocols including the important of locally adapted seeds to each bioregion.
The Protocols, accepted by the Simpson Library are now being looked by other states who have been in touch with Johnny Zook.
I have found a welcoming open ear in Johnny Zook both in phone conversations and emails. Among his communications via email is that he welcomes feedback and thoughts about the protocols that are now accepted.
August 25, 2014
12:58 pm
best,
Leslie
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