broadcastseed

Genesis 1:29
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

Vigorous animal and plant life were created with the ability to generate similar offspring. Gardeners began to collect seeds and hold them in reserve for the next seedtime. Seed was harvested from the healthiest plants.

US corporations now exist that specialize in marketing seeds to farmers. The farmer was relieved of the time he used to spend to manually secure seed while the corporations gained a profit. Concerned only with the collection, storage and sale of seeds, these corporations flourished.

With new developments in science, it became possible to modify seeds and increase profits. However, the farmers, consumers and food quality did not always benefit from these new methods. Hoping to eliminate other sources, seed corporations set into motion a plan to become the only suppliers of seeds for farmers. Seeds were altered so that the resulting plants produced flawed seeds that either did not germinate, or did so in an unpredictable manner.

Today, there are 3 commonly used methods to accomplish this: Terminator Technology, genetically modified (GM) seeds, and hybrid plants.

Because hybrid plants are a cross of differing varieties, their seeds aren't likely to produce a similar plant. Genetically modified seeds (GM seeds) are designed to withstand many chemical applications. These GM plants allow farmers to use stronger chemical treatments that affect the microbes and nutrient content in the soil which, in turn, affects the nutrient content of the crops. Plants grown from seeds that have Terminator Technology will produce seeds which are sterile and cannot produce crops the following season.

A seed bank is one way that an individual can insure fertile seeds are available in the future. Farmers aren't the only ones that can participate in this project. Find sources for your seeds that state they sell only NON GM seeds. Limit your purchases to unaltered, heirloom seeds. Choose from the foods and ingredients you normally find in your kitchen for cooking and medicinal uses.

Dry your seeds from vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs at room temperature on stiff paper. Make a notation of the date and the variety of seed on the paper as a reminder. Place the dried seeds into a labeled paper envelope. The envelopes can be kept in a glass jar in the refrigerator for great lengths of time. For most purposes, seeds will store well in a cool, dry, dark place. Seed balls are a good choice for grasses and grains that will be used to plant large areas.

Is there a reason that a person would store seeds that he isn't planning to grow?

The United States Congress is currently considering a piece of legislation named H.R. 875 which could potentially make it impossible for you to get produce from organic farmers or backyard gardeners. So far it is unknown whether the bill will pass or how it will be enforced. With this in mind, it may be best to store seeds while it is still legal to do so.

While you may not grow them yourself, think about saving a variety of seeds. The botanical name and the common name should both be used on the label; you may have to do a little research. On the internet, people regularly trade seeds through the mail. By trading your surplus seeds, you could secure the seeds you do want in an equal exchange.

If heirloom seed companies shut their doors, the seeds they offer might no longer exist. Current politics and the economy make this an uncomfortably realistic possibility. Having your own source of heirloom seeds may be one way you can insure a steady source of good organic foods, whether you normally grow your own or purchase from the roadside stand.

A bi-monthly publication, No Greater Joy Magazine features articles on simple living and building strong families. Get your free subscription at Mike and Debi Pearl's web site www.nogreaterjoy.org.