The
idea of knowing your seeds brings us full circle. Read your seed
catalogues very carefully, including the codes and policy statements.
That’s not always easy. Johnny’s uses the inside front cover, first
page, and multiple middle pages to tell me everything I ever wanted to
know about the company and the products. What a treat. The
Jung’s catalogue is a different story. The President’s letter and
helpful symbols are prominently displayed on the first page. The
Jung’s Philosophy on Genetically Modified Seed is buried on page 46.
My longstanding fondness for this company has been a bit diminished, and
the catalogue is going in the recycle bin as soon as I’m done writing this
article... Transparency is one of my core values!
Don’t let your independent streak stop you from asking questions. Other
gardeners, online sites, and the seed companies themselves can offer great
ideas, regardless of what stage you’re in with your homesteading. The
Gardening Game article I mentioned earlier actually started with a
humorous but sobering phone call leading the author to recognize the
corporate monopoly in the seed business.
Know
your neighbors. The homesteaders I know are great at networking with each
other, but less so with those big corporate farms we scoffingly pass on
the way to the local farmer’s market. I’m blessed to be bordered by
wetland, woods, and open pasture on my homestead. The neighbor up the
road has cattle, but they water downstream in the creek that runs through
my place. He didn’t grow one decent crop last year, but I have no idea
what kind of corn he tried to grow. Maybe I need to visit with him at a
time other than when we’re chasing his cows out of the road.
Who
are your neighbors? Who’s upwind or downwind? What did they plant? What
pesticides did they use? And how can you engage in a dialogue that’s
positive for everyone?
I’m
also redefining neighbors to include a wider circle of people supporting
biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. I’m not a joiner… not a meeting
person… not a politician. But I do spend a fair amount of time online.
That means my circle of influence can be worldwide - one conversation, one
person at a time. Maybe that’s a whole new garden I can plant!
Know
your records. Ugh. I’d rather dig in the dirt all day than keep files on
what seeds I purchased, where I planted them, and how much they produced.
And I still like doing business on a handshake. But truth be told, I have
to do better. My garden clipboard has already moved to my computer,
although there’ll still be a water-spotted and dirt-streaked version, I’m
sure. Filing shipping invoices and empty seed packets is now on the to-do
list. Did you know that by simply opening a bag of corn containing
Monsanto technologies, you may be bound to their Technology Agreement,
valid even after you stop planting their corn? It may be paranoia, but
I’m not taking any chances with my vegetable seeds.
The
ultimate responsibility is to know our values. How much of this is really
important to you, and why? How much are you willing to read and research?
How meticulous are you willing and able to be? Where is the line in the
sand that you are unwilling to cross? As a teacher, I value knowledge and
exploration and creativity. As a homesteader, I value independence. As a
gardener, I value hope. As a mother and grandmother, I value the future.
I’m
reminded of the first Jurassic
Park movie. In addition to all the action, it offers a great think piece
on the pros and cons of genetic engineering. One of my favorite parts is
when Dr. Ian Malcolm, one of the scientists brought in to do an assessment
of the park, is addressing park creator John Hammond on his lack of
humility before nature. Malcolm challenges Hammond that the scientists
were so preoccupied with finding out whether or not they could do
something that they didn’t stop to think if they should. Later, another
of the scientists speaks of the illusion of control.
I
can’t control nature, or neighbors, or GMOs. But I can control my
choices, and I know what I should do. Starting this year, with this
garden, I will only use organic seed from select companies. I will
legally and appropriately save that seed and participate with others who
do so. I will ethically steward my five acres, with a healthy respect for
creation and the Creator. And I will continue the dialogue at every
opportunity that arises. Those are my “seeds of control.” What are
yours?
