Organic seed vs non

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I am wondering how much difference it would make ordering organic seed vs non? Organic is definitely more in price and I am wondering what the true difference is. This is for winter ryegrass. Lynn

-- Lynn (johnnypfc@yahoo.com), September 14, 2001

Answers

Lynn:

I really can't see what difference organic seed versus non-organic seed will make. Even if the seed contained a trace of herbicide or pesticide residue, it should be extremely, extremely diluted as the plant grows. I think it's how you grow it after it sprouts and not how the seeds were raised in particular.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), September 14, 2001.


The difference is that one purchases organically-produced anything mainly because one is then contributing to the sustainability of the planet. When one purchases conventionally grown products, one is adding to the degredation of the earth by supporting unsustainable, polluting, toxic farming.

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), September 14, 2001.

Yes Earthmama, one may be fostering the chemical way when buying commercial seed, but one is breaking it when they raise then organically. I, for one, cannot afford to purchase the overpriced seed of "organic" farmers. Tell me this--if they do not use the chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides (the largest single expense outside of working the ground), why are the seeds TWICE as much???? It doesn't cost any more to run a cultivator, or harvest the seeds when done organically, so why the jacked up prices?? There is no difference in quality, and no real difference in their healthfull qualities. Sounds to me like organic seed farmers are merely taking advantage of us gardeners. Don't get me wrong, I disdain the use of pesticides too--but I break the chain by growing them organically, and I save seed from all my non-hybridized seeds myself. Perhaps a seed exchange board is the answer to this hiway robbery. Sincerely, Earth Daddy Charlie P.

-- Charlie P. (webducks@uswest.net), September 15, 2001.

Dear Earth Daddy, :)

I hear ya about the price, but it isn't necessarily more expensive to buy organic. I guess with seed prices, unless I was growing a big field of corn or something, I figure its no big sacrifice to pay extra. I buy pretty much only organic everything, cuz I believe in puttin my money where my big mouth is.

There certainly ARE rip-offs out there, particularly since the big guys got involved in 'organics', who are only in it for the money,and not the principles. The Seed Savers Exchange IS a wonderful way to get good seed for old and open-pollinated varieties. And trading seed locally and with friends is a great idea too.

I applaud your breaking the cycle, and you make an excellent point about what one can do as a compromise to spending what one deems too much money, but its my own personal view that unless I were to raise organic seed to sell to others, (in effect, replacing some conventionally raised seed), I would still be encouraging chemical farming were I to buy their seed every spring.

Blessings,

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), September 15, 2001.


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