Overview
B
reeding crop plants specifically
for organic production is still in its
infancy, although interest is already
well established, to judge by Internet sites
on organic seed.
The USDA has provided
funds to producers, small seed companies,
and...
More
Overview
B
reeding crop plants specifically
for organic production is still in its
infancy, although interest is already
well established, to judge by Internet sites
on organic seed.
The USDA has provided
funds to producers, small seed companies,
and universities to hold on-farm workshops
on organic seed production.
Several sources
list providers of organic seed.
But questions
about the future of organic seed remain.
Robert L.
Johnston of Johnny’s Seeds questions whether seed companies will want to
invest in developing organic-specific varieties and does not advocate that the USDA’s
National Organic Program (USDA/NOP)
mandate a requirement for organic seed.
In
a February 2004 statement posted on his
company’s Web site, www.
johnnyseeds.
com,
he says:
If the community of organic farmers and
consumers is sure that it wants an organic
seeds requirement, then the USDA/NOP
decision making process needs to set this
kind of deadline.
The other alternative is
to eliminate the requirement.
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