{Update: from the original Groovy Green post: "Thanks to some fact checkers, I need to update. Burpee is not owned by Monsanto. Burpee is privately owned. Burpee DOES carry some Seminis seeds, and Seminis is now owned by Monsanto.
Thankfully this was just a nasty rumor. Let’s hope that seed companies won’t be bought by Monsanto!
Here is more Monsanto / Seminis info: http://www.seedalliance.org/index.php?page=SeminisMonsanto }
My original post -
Wherein I get a bit political:
Monsanto, the producer of much of agribusiness's toxic herbicides and the creator of genetically altered seed (as well as the artifical bovine growth hormone rBGH or rbST), has (not) purchased Burpee.
"Seminis and Burpee were the two largest American seed companies not affiliated with Monsatan [sic] until both were recently bought out by the multi-billion-dollar corporation."
Now I need to find out what Seminis owns, and toss those catalogs, too, if they sell to us measly garden hobbyists.
You may have read about Monsanto's policy of sueing farmers for growing seed that the wind planted on their land from their neighbor's crops...
It seems that some Monsanto seed did drift over from a neighboring farm that had planted Roundup-ready canola, and the genetically altered seeds grew in Schmeiser's fields. Schmeiser, who saves seed from each harvest to plant the next crop, apparently saved some of the Monsanto seed. He seems to have figured that any plant that grew on his land belonged to him, as did its seed. There's no evidence he sprayed with Roundup to control weeds. So he didn't benefit from the genetically engineered trait that Monsanto has patented.
Or you may have heard about them just from their lawsuits in general.
Boycott Burpee, boycott Seminis. Buy your seeds elsewhere, and support the little guys.
Where do I stand on Burpee? I'm still boycotting them, a decision I made when they left Heronswood hanging with no warning. (Sorry Mr. Swartzman, but I thank you for your heads-up)
But that's a more personal reason, and I trust all my readers will use their own discretion in deciding whom to buy their seeds from.
More on Seminis follows:
From Seminis site:
Sales in 155 countries
Revenue: $569 million (2006)
20+% of the global vegetable seed market
Leading positions in nearly every major vegetable crop
3,000+ commercial products
21 seed quality labs
46 distribution and operations centers
51 R&D stations in 17 countries
1.5 million breeding lines
Seed production locations in 25 countries
3,000 employees
Seminis is a wholly owned subsidiary of Monsanto Co.
20+% of the global vegetable seed market
Of course, by linking above, I have:
You agree that Seminis may terminate your access to and use of the Web Site at any time, without prior notice, of it considers you to have violated any of these Provisions. You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Seminis, its officers, directors, employees, agents. Licensors, suppliers and third party information providers to the Web Site from and against all losses, expenses, damages and costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees, resulting from any violation by you of these Provisions of Seminis’ termination of your access to or use of this Web Site. Termination will not affect either party’s rights or obligations, which accrued before the termination.
That's pretty handy, isn't it? Writing up in the legal that if they don't like what you say, they can ban you from gathering further information, and break the link so that others may not see what you saw. Very nice. Tidy.
More on Seminis' market presence:
Savia S.A. de C.V. (formerly E.L.M.) [ed: info from 1999]
* Seminis Inc. - USA
* Bruinsma BV - Holland
* Choong Ang Seed Co. - Korea
* Horticeres - Brazil
* Hungnong Seed - Korea
* Royal Sluis BV - Holland
* Seminis Brazil - Brazil
* Agroceres Vegetables - Brazil
* Seminis Vegetable Seeds Mexicana - Mexico
* Seminis Vegetable Seeds South Africa - South Africa
* Seminis Vegetable Seed - USA
Asgrow Vegetable Seeds - USA
Barham Seeds - USA
Genecorp - USA
LSL - USA
Petoseed - USAAlliances with:
* Mendel Biotechnologies, Inc. - USASeminis is the largest developer, producer and marketer of vegetable seeds in the world. The company uses seeds as the delivery vehicle for innovative agricultural technology. Its products are designed to reduce the need for agricultural chemicals, increase crop yield, reduce spoilage, offer longer shelf life, create tastier foods and create foods with better nutritional content. Seminis has established a worldwide presence and global distribution network that spans 120 countries with 70 research stations in 19 countries and production sites in 32 countries. Seminis is a majority owned subsidiary of Savia, a Mexico based conglomerate with leadership positions in financial services, packaging and fresh foods
****
Seminis - I did find a list of new seed varieties for the years 2004-2006, but
nothing more informative than this. It's a start, but not what I was
hoping to find. (I'm still looking for the companies they distribute to...)
Seeds to avoid: New varieties listed by year they came to market:
(2004)
Ancho San Martin Peppers
Bistro Lamb’s Lettuce
CMS Liberty Broccoli
Festina Beans
Glory Tomato
Jive Spinach
Karina Carrot
Red Knight (with X3R *copyright) Pepper
Sungreen Squash
Sunny Delight Scallop Squash
(2005)
Baby Star Romaine
Coronado Crown Broccoli
Cupid Tomato
Eureka Cucumber
Obsession Sweet Corn
Fairy Tale Eggplant
Rumbo Winter Squash
Schooltime Pumpkin
Tomande Tomato
Pheres Kohlrabi
(2006)
Big Beef Hybrid Tomato
Envy Carrot
Cheddar Cauliflower
Cupid Tomato
Socrates (with X3R *copyright) hybrid pepper
Apollo Seedless watermelon
Tiffany Hybrid tomato
Mariachi Hybrid pepper
Passion Hybrid yellow sweet corn
Sun King Hybrid tomato
Dealers of Monsanto/Seminis seeds:
Seminis does not sell directly to home gardeners; however, many of our products are available to consumers from U.S. and Canadian mail order and packet seed companies. The vendors below carry our newest products:
|
Burpee, W Atlee E & R Seed Co. Earl May Seed Gardens Alive Johnnys Selected Seeds |
J.W. Jung Seed Co. Lindenberg Seeds Mountain Valley Seed Park Seed |
T & T Seeds, Ltd. Tomato Growers Supply Willhite Seed Co. |
Gosh, I had no idea! thanks for letting us know. I wonder what seed catalouges are affiliated with them?
Posted by: Girlgonegardening | January 10, 2007 at 10:59 AM
Girl: I am working on finding out who Seminis sells to. I'm not the greatest sleuth on the net, so we will see how successful I get!
Information found, thanks to Faithbookqueen on LJGardening
Posted by: Jenn | January 10, 2007 at 11:34 AM
Burpee and Monsanto: now there's a scary combination.
Posted by: Don | January 10, 2007 at 05:21 PM
Argh. Keep us updated, please.
Posted by: kim (blackswamp_girl) | January 10, 2007 at 05:42 PM
Don -
Yes. Yes it is. And if they do to Burpee what Burpee has done to others? Which they might. They might.
hmmm. Interesting world.
Posted by: Jenn | January 10, 2007 at 05:42 PM
Fedco Seeds has a compelling essay on why they stopped offering Seminis seeds. They dropped them last year and are selling the last of their stock. I like a bit of politics with my seed ordering! Especially when it agrees with my own views. But I will miss Cloud Nine eggplant when I run out of seed. Fedco is looking for satisfactory replacements for the popular Seminis varieties.
Posted by: Sally | January 10, 2007 at 07:57 PM
This information is false, Burpee is NOT owned by Monsanto nor has it ever been. Burpee remains an independent privately owned seed and plant purveyor with a proud 131 year history of fulfilling the needs of home gardners across America.
Posted by: Harry | January 11, 2007 at 01:53 PM
I just spoke with the Communications Director and here's what I found - included is a list of ALL the companies that buy Seminis seeds.
Angela
Posted by: Angela England | January 11, 2007 at 02:49 PM
Thanks, Angela!
Posted by: Jenn | January 11, 2007 at 02:54 PM
More on this topic:
Interesting reading, and opinions from all over the map>
Posted by: Jenn | January 11, 2007 at 03:14 PM
After reading down about halfway on the thread (link posted in comments above) I think what is needed is a complete list of product/seed names coming out of the Monsanto family.
Buyers can then not buy from Monsanto, while perhaps supporting the seed company distributors. This would provide a much more accurate target for a boycott.
Posted by: Jenn | January 11, 2007 at 03:22 PM
The current Seeds of Change catalog features the Podolls, half-century family farmers in North Dakota whose "diversity of grains, vegetables, and seed crops stand in stark contrast to the vast monocultures of corn and soybeans that surround them." Can't help but wonder how much longer until the Podolls' 480 acres of heirloom crops are cross-pollinated by Roundup-ready, genetically engineered crap from Monsanto et al. And then Monsanto gets to sue for patent infringement, to boot!
Posted by: John Black | January 19, 2007 at 02:27 AM
I was looking for information that I can trust, and excellent seeds.
I find however that you did not get it right.
Mansanto did not create BGH better known as Bovine Growth Hormone, it is a naturally occuring hormone in bovine.
They did however create rBGH or rbST.
If you are going to black ball someone please Get it Right.
{Ed: Gotcha! Thanks}
Posted by: Lisa | January 28, 2007 at 07:03 PM
It is worse that you had mentioned,
they now own more seed companies
http://us.seminis.com/products/hg_dealer.asp
Posted by: gramma pecos | November 10, 2008 at 07:35 AM
here are a few more semenis varieties, from their website and dealers. by no means all, but a place to start.
BROCCOLI
Captain
Castle Dome
Coronado Crown
General
Heritage
Ironman
Legacy
Liberty
Major
Pacman
Tlaloc
Tradition
CAULIFLOWER
Cheddar
Cielo Blanco
Cornell
Freedom
Freemont
Juneau
Minuteman
Whistler
CABBAGE
Ambrosia
Atlantis
Blue Dynasty
Constellation
Golden Dynasty
Huron
Missouri
Platinum Dynasty
Red Dynasty
Rocket
Rona
Ruby Dynasty
Spring Flavor
Tobia
TOMATO
Apt 410
Applause
Biltmore
Beefmaster
Better Boy
Big Beef
Brilliant
Bizarr
Burpee's Big Boy
Cabernet
Caspian Pink
Celebrity
Classica
Cluster Grande
Corona
Crown Jewel
Cupid
Debut
Early Cascade
Earli Girl*
Ever
First Lady I & II*
Floralina
Florida 47 R
Florida 91
Glory
Golden Girl
Health Kick
Husky Cherry
Hypeel 108
Hypeel 303
Hypeel 849
Idool
Ivone
Jetsetter
Keepsake
Lemon Boy
Margherita
Patio
Phoenix
Picus
PS 01522935
PS 01522942
PS 345
PS438
Pink Girl
Polish Linguisa
Quincy
WATERMELON
Apollo
Companion
Cooperstown
Delta
Jade Star
Majestic
Olympia
Royal Majesty
Royal Flush
Royal Star
Sentinal
Stargazer
Starbrite
Stars'n'Stripes
Tiger Baby
Wrigley
Yellow Doll
MELON
Alaska
Ambrosia
Bush Whopper*
Casablance*
Cabrillo
Destacado
Dixie Jumbo*
Dorado
Durango
Earli-Dew
Early Crisp*
Eclipse
Fastbreak
Magellan
Pulsar
Saturno
Sugar Nut
Vienna
Yellow Star
BEAN
Alicante
Brio
Bronco
Bush Blue Lake 94*
Cadillac
Carlo
Cyclone
Distinction
Ebro
Etna
Eureka
Ex 08120703
Excalibur
EZ Gold*
Fandego
Festina
Firstmate
Golden Child
Gold Dust
Goldmine
Goldrush
Grenoble
Hurricane
Helda
Hercules
Kentucky King*
Liana
Lynx
Magnum
Matador
Opus
Romano Gold
CUCUMBER
Babylon
Burpee Hybrid II
Conquistador
Cool Breeze
Dasher II
Daytona
Early Triumph
Expedition
Ex 4506143
Ex 04506117
Ex 14501043
Eureka
Fancy Pack
Fanfare HG
Fanfare
Holland
Homemade Pickles
Impreza
Indy
Intimidator
Journey
Kenia
Llanoverde
Loustik
Marketmore 76
Orient Express
Palomina
Patio Pickles SG
Pearl
Poinsett 76
Rockingham
Speedway
Spoetnik
Sweet Slice
Sweeter Yet*
Talladega
Thunder
Thunderbird
Turbo
Vlaspik
Yellow Submarine*
TOMATO CONT.
Royesta
Sausalito
Small Fry
Sunsugar
Super Marzano
Sweet Baby Girl
Sweet Million*
Sanibel
Solarset
Sunbeam
Sunbrite
Sunchief
Sunguard
Sunoma
Sunpride
Sunrise
Sunsation
Sunshine
Timotion
Tygress
Tona Verde(Tomatillo)
Viva Italia
Window Box Roma
Yellow Pear(1 strain)
LEEK
Arkansas
POPCORN
Seneca Popcorn
SWEET CORN
Absolute
Devotion
Obsession
Passion
Seneca Arrowhead
Seneca Dancer
Seneca Horizon
Seneca Spring
Seneca Sweet
Sensor
Synergy
Temptation
Vitality
LETTUCE
Brave Heart
Baby Star*
Blackjack*
Clemente
Conquistador
Del Oro
Del Rey
Desert Spring
Esmeralda
Grizzly
Honcho II
Ideal
Lolla Rossa*
Mohawk
Monet
Outback
Raider
Red Butterworth*
Red Hot
Red Line
Red Sails
Red Tide*
Sahara
Sharpshooter
Simpson Elite
Sniper
Sureshot
Summertime
SPINACH
Avenger
Barbados
Bolero
Correnta
Cypress*
Hellcat
Interceptor
Melody
MIG
Tigercat
Unipack 151
BEAN CONT.
Sea Biscuit
Secretariat
Slenderpack
Spartacus
Stallion
Storm
Strike
Sunburst
Tapia
Teggia
Tema
Thoroughbred
Titan
Unidor
Ulysses
Valentino
Veronica
Volcano
CARROT
Abeldo
Achieve
Caropak
Chantenay #1*
Chantilly*
Dominion
Enterprise
Envy
Karina*
Lariat*
Minicor
Nutri-Red*
Propeel
PS 07101405
PS 07101441
Prodigy
Pursuit
Recolete
Sweetness II
Sweet Sunshine*
Tastypeel
Thumbelina
WINTER SQUASH
Ambercup
Autumn Delight
Autumncup
Buckskin Pumpkin*
Bush Delicata
Butternut Supreme
Burpee Early Acorn
Early Butternut
Pasta
Really Big Butternut*
Seneca Autumn
Table Ace
Taybelle
Taybelle PM
PEPPERS-HOT
Aquiles
Ancho San Martin
Ball Park
Big Bomb
Biscane*
Cherry Bomb
Cardon
Caribbean Red
Chicken Itza
Chichimeca
Corcel
Coyame
Fresnillo
Grande
Garden Salsa
Gypsy
Habanero
Holy Mole
Hot Spot
Inferno
Ixtapa
Jalapa
Kung Pao
Kukulkan
Mariachi
Mucho Nacho
Mesilla
Mitla
Nainari
Nazas
PS 52095
Papaloapan
Rebelde
Rio de Oro
Sahuaro
Salvatierra
Spanish Spice
Super Chili
Tajin
Timebomb
Tuxtlas
Senorita
Serrano del Sol
Vencedor
Victorioso
ONION
Arsenal
Affirmed
Bunker
Caballero
Candy
Cannonball
Caveat
Century
Champlain
Charismatic
Citation
Damascus
Flare
Fortress
Gazelle
Gelma
Golden Spike
Granex 33
Grateful Red
Hamlet
Joliet
Mackenzie
Mercury
Mars*
Monarchos
Nicolet
Orizaba
Red Zeppelin
Savannah Sweet
Sierra Blanca
Sterling
Superstar
Tioga
Verrazano
Vision
EGGPLANT
Cloud 9
Dusky
Epic
Fairy Tale
Galaxy
Hansel
Madonna
Night Shadow
Orion
Twinkle
OKRA
Cajun Delight
PEPPERS-SWEET
Aladdin
Aristotle
Baron
Bounty
Camelot
Cherry Pick
Chocolate Beauty
Early Sunsation
Enterprise
Ethem
Excalibur
Fat and Sassy*
Key West
King Arthur
Luzon
Morraine
North Star
Orange Glory
Petite Sirah
Pimento elite
Plato
Pritavit
PS 9915776
PS 9927141
PS 9928302
Ramiro
Red Knight
Red Glory
Satsuma
Socrates
Striker
Sweet Spot
Wizard
PUMPKIN
Appalachian
Jamboree
Mini Treat
Orange Smoothie
Phantom
Prizewinner
Snackjack
Spirit
Spooktacular
Trickster
Wyatt's Wonder
SUMMER SQUASH
Ambassador
Blackjack
Butterstick
Conqueror III
Daisey
Declaration II
Destiny III
Dixie
Fancycrook*
Gold Rush
Independence II
Judgment III
Justice III
Lemondrop
Liberator III
Lolita*
Papaya Pear
Portofino
Patriot II
Prelude II
Quirnal
Radiant
Senator
Seneca
Seneca Prolific
Sunny Delight
Sungreen
Sunray
Terminator
XPT 1832 III
Peter Pan
PEA
Ashton
Cabree
Crecendo
Durango
Estancia
Ex 08530726
Ex 08530731
Ice Pack
Ice Breaker
Mr Big
Nitro
Pendalton
Romance
Sherwood
Solution
Survivor
Utrillo
Posted by: marion Yoder | January 09, 2009 at 07:58 PM
I just want to thank you for this list...I don't want to support these companies, and it is ridiculous the time I'm spending trying to find this stuff out!
Posted by: Deborah Raven-Lindley | January 12, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Thank you very much for the information I really appreciate it!!
Posted by: Gardening Seeds | March 07, 2009 at 07:19 PM
helpful site, keep the good work!!!!
Posted by: buy kamagra | March 12, 2009 at 01:42 AM
I am a friend of Marino Cortez Giron, I visited him when he used to produce Flower Seeds for the company that worked for. He is at the production site at Rancho El Milagro, San Quintin, Baja California. Mexico.
all that I want is his telephone number. Thank You......David
Posted by: David Fletes Santini | April 07, 2009 at 04:51 PM
Terribly sorry, David.
I am in Arizona and have no contact with your friend. Good luck!
Posted by: Jenn | April 07, 2009 at 07:40 PM