Seeds: Finding, Choosing, Ordering, Saving, & Planting Heirloom, Organic, Open Pollinated & Non GMO Varieties
Links to organizations and websites that provide lists of companies selling and providing information (See below our list of organic seed companies):
- The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA) has a recently updated Searchable Database of Organic Seed Suppliers produced by Katherine L. Adam (NCAT Ag. Specialist). It provides sources for organic seed of both agronomic and horticultural crops. Some national, mail-order suppliers of untreated seed are included, with the emphasis on small alternative seed companies offering open-pollinated vegetable, flower, and herb seed. See More details about this database. And be aware that certified organic buyers need to ask to view a seed supplier’s documentation, including certification credentials. NCAT has not inspected certificates of any company listed in the database or their certifiers, nor does the listing make or imply any claims about the trustworthiness or business practices of any company.
- The Seedsaving and Seedsavers’ Resources Web Page has links to sources of heirloom, organic, open pollinated & non-GE seeds and includes lots of useful information about seed purchasing, seed saving, and seed exchange networks. Also includes articles and information about the politics and policy of the seed industry, and how to choose the right sources. (International)
- The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) has a Searchable Organic Seed Database. Browse seed and nursery stock listings in one of two ways: select a crop and click Browse, or enter a search phrase and click Search. Their goal is to provide a single place to find commercially available organic seeds and planting stock, but though their List of Suppliers if far from complete. Data represented here is provided by seed suppliers, and OMRI does not make any claim to the validity or accuracy of the data published here.
- The Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association develops, protects and promotes the organic seed trade and its growers, and assures that the organic community has access to excellent quality organic seed, free of contaminants and adapted to the diverse needs of local organic agriculture. Their List of Members Websites includes a number of reputable organic seed companies.
- Greenpeople.org has a List of Companies Selling Organic, Heirloom, and Untreated Seed in the US and Canada.
Many Tracks has a List of Independent Seed Companies Selling Open Pollinated and Heirloom Garden Seeds.
- The Sustainable Mountain Agriculture Center is involved in identifying, collecting and sustaining family and community heirloom seeds and plants and coordinating the activities of growers of heirloom fruits and vegetables in the southern Appalachians. They have a number of resources including a Local Heirloom Bean and Tomato Seed Catalog
- Organic Consumers Association has a List by State of Companies Selling Organic, Heirloom, Open Pollinated, and Untreated Seed.
- BC Seeds is a project of Farm Folk/City Folk to encourage seed saving, support BC based Seed companies and provide a space for knowledge and seed exchange. They also provide a List of Organic Seed Producers and Retailers in Canada.
- Organic Seed Alliance supports the ethical development and stewardship of the genetic resources of agricultural seed. They accomplish our goals through collaborative education, advisory services, and research programs with organic farmers and other seed professionals. They also have a List of Companies Selling Organic Seed.
- California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) has an Organic Seed Resources Page with information about organic seed, organic rules, and a list of organic seed suppliers.
- The Heritage Grain Conservancy is dedicated to researching and preserving heirloom grains, and Sells Heritage Winter Wheat and Other Grains.
- The Council for Responsible Genetics maintains a List of Seed Companies that signed the Safe Seed Initiative stating they will “not knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants.”
- Michigan State University, in partnership with other institutions, hosts an Organic Seed Resource Guide compiled by Micaela Colley, Organic Seed Alliance; Alex Stone, Oregon State University; Linda Brewer, Oregon State University; and Brian Baker, Organic Materials Research Institute. It features a number of publications mainly geared toward producers and agricultural professionals seeking information about organic seed production.
- Also check out Seedsavers Exchange.
Companies Selling Organic Seeds
High Mowing Organic Seeds, 76 Quarry Rd, Wolcott, VT 05680, (802) 472-6174 www.highmowingseeds.com
Fedco Seeds, PO Box 520, Waterville, ME 04903, (207) 873-7333 www.fedcoseeds.com
Johnny’s Selected Seeds, 955 Benton Ave, Winslow, ME 04901, (207) 861-3900 www.johnnyseeds.com
Seed Savers Exchange, 3094 N. Winn Rd, Decorah, IA 52101 (563) 382-5990 www.seedsavers.com
Seeds of Change, PO Box 15700, Santa Fe, NM 87506, (888) 762-7333 www.seedsofchange.com
Harris Seeds, 355 Paul Road, P.O. Box 24966, Rochester, NY 14624-0966, (800) 544-7938 http://www.harrisseeds.com/storefront/s-133-organic-vegetable-seed.aspx
Southern Exposure Seed, PO Box 460, Mineral, VA 23117, (540) 894-9481 www.southernexposure.com
Albert Lea Seed House, PO Box 127, Albert Lea, MN 56007 (800) 352-5247 www.alseed.com
Blue River Hybrids, 27087 Timber Rd, Kelley, IA 50134, (800) 370-7979 www.blueriverorgseed.com
DLF Organic, PO Box 229, Halsey, OR 97348, (541) 369-2251 www.dlforganic.com
Environ. Seed, PO Box 2709, 1851 W. Olive Ave, Lompoc, CA 93438 (805) 735-8888 www.espseeds.com
Great Harvest Organics, 6803 E. 276th St, Atlanta, IN 46031, (371) 984-6685www.greatharvestorganics.com
Mt. Baker Organic Seed Growers, 39306 Cape Horn Rd, Concrete, WA 98237, (360) 826-4400
Organic Bean & Grain, Inc, 1795 W. Akron Rd, Caro, MI 48723, (989) 673-6402 www.orbng.com
Rose-AgriSeed, 29975 S. Barlow Rd, Canby, OR 97013(503) 651-2130 www.roseagriseed.com
Snow Seed Organics, 21855 Rosehart Way, Salinas, CA 93908 (831) 758-9869 www.snowseedco.com
Sow Organic Seed Company, 1573 Wilson Ct, Eugene, OR 97402 (541) 345-7498 www.organicseed.com
Welter Seed and Honey Co, 17724 Hwy 136, Onslow, IA 52321, (800) 470-3325 www.welterseed.com
SeedWay, 99 Industrial Rd, Elizabethtown, PA17022, (800) 952-7333 www.seedway.com
Filaree Farm, 182 Conconully Hwy, Okanogan, WA 98840, (509) 422-6940 www.filareefarm.com
Gourmet Garlic Gardens, 12300 FM 1176, Bangs, Texas 76823, (325) 348-3049 www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com
Sow True Seed, 146 Church St., Asheville, North Carolina 28801, (828) 254-3049 www.sowtrueseed.com
Consolidation in the Seed Industry
Visualizing Consolidation in the Global Seed Industry: 1996-2008 – By Phil Howard: This post is part of a series. You can also see Part I HERE; Part III HERE; and Part IV HERE.