It looks like Michigan is not the only state with a Department of Agriculture that is adamant about the best interests of their citizens. Residents in Pennsylvania can now breathe a little bit easier since an illegal enterprise has been shut down.
The Joseph T. Simpson Public Library in Mechanicsburg was participating in an activity that put the entire ecosystem of the state at risk.
In an astonishing act of hubris, they were running a seed library, right there amongst the books, in the very facility where small children go to have stories read to them.
I’m not making this up. A SEED LIBRARY.
If you aren’t sure what this is, it allows patrons to go in and get heirloom seeds, for free. The borrower plants the seeds, then at harvest time, saves seeds and returns them to the library.
The horror.
Apparently this violates the “Seed Act of 2004.” That’s right, there’s a Seed Act that makes this illegal.
Luckily for the Cumberland County Library System, the state D of A decided that SWAT was not necessary and instead sent a high-ranking official and a team of lawyers to shut down the seed library.
Jonelle Darr, the Executive Director of the CCLS, said that 60 residents had signed up to participate in the seed library. She said that continuing the project isn’t possible, due to the rigorous requirements of the D of A.
Darr explained that the Seed Act primarily focuses on the selling of seeds — which the library was not doing — but there is also a concern about seeds that may be mislabeled (purposefully or accidentally), the growth of invasive plant species, cross-pollination and poisonous plants.
The department told the library it could not have the seed library unless its staff tested each seed packet for germination and other information. Darr said that was clearly not something staff could handle. (source)
Gosh, this makes me wonder when they are going to crack down on all of those GMO fields, with their grave concerns about cross-pollination. Look out, Monsanto…oh, wait. This only applies to regular people growing vegetables. GMOs aren’t considered an invasive species. Sorry, I digress.
You see, no one is aware of the struggles of the Department of Agriculture. They only regulate you to help you. They, like the EPA (remember the woodstoves?) and the BLM (remember those poor turtles in the Bundy Ranch stand-off?) are intent saving the environment. The D of A is on a mission to crack down on seed libraries because even if they don’t know it, libraries and patrons could be participating in…are you sitting down? AGRI-TERRORISM.
AGRI-TERRORISM.
Yep, that is what some folks call gardening these days. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is taking this threat very seriously, and has vowed to crack down on seed libraries across the state. Some of the Cumberland County Commissioners felt that this might not be the best use of time by the D of A, but one, Barbara Cross, has a higher understanding. Cross grasps the danger of gardeners run amok.
Some of the commissioners questioned whether that was the best use of the department’s time and money, but commissioner Barbara Cross noted that such seed libraries on a large scale could very well pose a danger.
“Agri-terrorism is a very, very real scenario,” she said. “Protecting and maintaining the food sources of America is an overwhelming challenge … so you’ve got agri-tourism on one side and agri-terrorism on the other.”
Cross said it made sense that the department would want to tackle the issue now while the efforts were small. (source)
Apparently, at this point, as long as the seeds do not pass through the hands of the library, area residents can get together and exchange seeds amongst themselves. So far, that’s still legal.
First, if the seed act specifically controls the “selling” of seeds then a law is not being broken. The Dept. of Agriculture
is trying to enforce a regulation. Ignoring a regulation is not a crime, it’s a civil matter. So the library can ignore the order and tie it up in court. Second, all they have to do is lease the seed library floor space to a citizen for $1 and
it is no longer the library involved so that will tie it up
in court for years with the state trying to prove standing
and therefore responsibility for the library trustees. Good
luck with fighting all the constitutional questions on that.
The state will be pounding sand for decades while the seed
bank continues unaffected.
I am very concerned that a massive shift in consciousness is needed. We can each help Uncle Sam Marry “Anti” (Auntie) GMO. Many more gardeners are needed. The original vision of the founding gardener presidents of the U.S. would see Seed Saving as integral to the principles of democracy. http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=2181365
This, however, is a state issue, not a Federal issue in this case. There are different laws in different states. Pennsylvania has many laws. This shutdown was from the State Department of Agriculture, not the Federal USDA.
There is a Fed move to support GMO Seeds and Biotech in the farm field. Note HIliary Clinton’s comment at a recent BIO (Biotechnology Industry Organization meeting:
Hillary Clinton at BIO Hillary Clinton Cheers Biotechers, Backing GMOs and Federal Help
“I stand in favor of using seeds and products that have a proven track record,” she said, citing drought-resistant seeds she backed as secretary of state. “There’s a big gap between the facts and what the perceptions are.”
She does not understand that Heirloom Seeds are the seeds that protect our future. GMO Seeds are based on a shortsighted vision.
Many deep issues involved here. Thanks for all the comments.
It’s official. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is a terrorist organization.
And who pays the salarys of these American Officials? Thst have nothing more pressing than protecting the profits of corporate seed growers, ot shall we more correctly say, seed manufacturers.
IT is not protection of the people involved here, It is more a personal need and an agency need for recognition, and so to “project” that power they choose the most blatant example of over kill to grab peoples attention.
It is indeed a terrorist action, by an agency of US government employees undrr the guize of Law.
Get used to it, as the new bureaucratic system loves closeted sadist and sociopaths that are just doing their jobs and following orders; all for the hood of nation of course.
This is just one of the numerous things that make me ‘angry’. This is local to me and my family.
I did a search on the ‘big’ news media for this area:
http://search.pennlive.com/seed+library/
Nowhere to be found is anything related to the ‘real’ news, that is the crackdown on the seed bank…just plenty of attention given to the opening of the seed library. -Interesting¿
Also, I more recently realized that my local supplier of raw milk was closed. I was out of the loop with them for awhile, and suspected that the food-nazis would go after them, and indeed, the place is closed.
“… instead sent a high-ranking official and a team of lawyers to shut down the seed library.”
Actually they must charge the Department of Agriculture employees with felony breaking the Oath to support and defend the US Constitution the supreme LAW of this land (Which requires all federal employees to take that personal responsibility upon themselves and be lawfully responsible for their actions – The three branches of our government, the military, all law enforcement, the heads of the States, all federal employees are required to take an Oath to support and defend the Constitution and NOT an individual leader, ruler, office, or entity to get into the Office or Position they want.
They then must keep that Oath until they leave office or position they currently occupy to be able to stay in that position. If they do not keep that Oath, they no longer meet the legal requirements for them to stay in that position or office and must be replaced).
*Amendment 9 makes it clear that the natural rights listed and protected from those who serve within our governments are not all listed. Such things as gardening, use of water, air, owning pets and livestock, fishing hunting, traveling locally/within the USA/foreign travel, the means of traveling, etc are all natural rights protected but not listed (enumerated).
The US Constitution defines our government and assigns the duties that those who serve within the federal government are to carry out. EVERYTHING not listed specifically there belongs to the states and to the people to decide upon. It PROTECTS our natural rights FROM those who serve within our governments – state and federal.
The Preamble t the Bill of Rights makes it VERY clear that the US Constitution puts LIMITS and forbids those who serve within our governments from doing certain things (a lot of things).
Preamble to the Bill of Rights: “Congress of the United States
begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.
THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, IN ORDER TO PREVENT MISCONSTRUCTION OR ABUSE OF ITS POWERS, THAT FURTHER DECLARATORY AND RESTRICTIVE CLAUSES SHOULD BE ADDED: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution….” (Caps are mine)
So when they go against the US Constitution and all that is in Pursuance thereof it, they also commit perjury, felonies, and terrorism against the USA and her people:
28 C.F.R. Section 0.85 Terrorism is defined as “the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives”.
* Amendment IX: “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”
The supreme law of the land doesn’t appear to be supreme.
Agri terrorism by way of “invasive species”.
I can see it now. Someone labels an envelope with “Herbs: C.Sativa” and the growers are arrested next year for growing a banned “invasive” weed.
Seed-saving to become an underground activity? You are no longer the Sovereigns in your own land.
I once watched an interview of a Mexican Civil Rights activist that had just been released aftrr two years for crimes of agitation in protest for teachers and schools it was quite informative as to just how two facedUS realy is.
There were actually many grievances agains the Meican Government and the officials in many of its Districts; they ranged from different forms of corruption to individualy corrupt officials, price of water, abuses by American trained and assisted hunter killer NARCO teams but many were seperate and only one was from every district; That of teacher pay and need for more moy invested in schools..
Education funds on federal bills was used for every damned thing but schools as each local bureau from govenors down to village cop got a cut leaving a pittance for schoolchildren and teachers needs.
The recently released man when asked about opinions of r ecent increase in jailed and massive beatings and cases of police abuse What he thought was their reasoning.
His answer; US military, police and FBI; DEA training and funding of non employable trouble makers who work for them by causing chaos.
Until the US began interveni g in riot control there were not hardly any incidents of violence and even strikes meant protest but do not shutdowm buisness or interfere other than in ways of” benign neglect”.
BENIGN NEGLECT was a tactic whereby the people ignored officials and their proclomations by forming their own shadow governments to remedy their grievances among local official and whatever groups cause was they all were treated as equally rated.
They would attend public issue meetings and if they were not allowed to speak they set up mini committee hearigs in and by the audience.
They wrote minutes raised resolutio ns to fix by own efforts ” all the time ignoring the officials whe eventuall arrested or threw them from room.Next meeting same sce ario. And this went on sometimes for a year or more but gradually they were getting the officials attentions as the shadow governments began to take on actual public order duties. FIRE MEN GOT A WAGE INCREASE FROM THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES WHEN DENIED OFFICIAL HEARINGS
You see militia of honest citizens today fighting police and drug partnerships.
Then US targets leaders and jails them, pepper spray beat and shoot with hard rubber bullets and use massed police ranks to beak protestors ranks and then massive round ups with fines at level they knew demonstratos could not afford.
Swat trainedand assissted by US advisors raidedunio halls and members homes sometimes killing husband and wives and kids because the people were not conditioned to having homes broken into without warning by police and military
Familys hearing windows and doors being broken thinking it was bad men bega. Shooting only to die in hail of US weaponsband ammo from Lakr City military manufacture.
No benign neglect he said was no good as they just begin killing, and, when he complained he was jailed two years.
He said at least he was still alive, no thanks to US and many peacefull people now lived in fear of nightime raids by Americano and Mexican thugs.
I canNOT believe the insanity that is going on in this country! Has everyone gone psycho? No money was changing hands, no person mad a profit, gardeners were simply helping other gardeners. This is illegal now?? I truly am ready to run to a mountaintop and hide. I’m ordering extra packs of heirloom seeds while I can still buy them. This country is a scary place!
“ready to run to a mountaintop and hide.”
I get the grist of what you’re saying, but keep something in mind. Big brother will find you no matter where you go when the shtf. LOL
finding is one thing; seizing is another
Just remember whats good for the goose is good for the gander! Monsanto should have the same claim against them. If they are not a terrorist organization determined to undermine american agriculture then what is?
All bureaucrats and law enforcement are not evil. However, the overwhelming majority have traded in their common sense for lock-step compliance; all for big salaries and fantastic perqs. They are nothing more than useful idiots who endanger We The People. Getting scarier by the day, by the hour, by the minute. What to do, what to do? All we can do is to pray for the best and prepare for the worst. The rest is up to God. +
they’re not evil, they’ve just given up their common sense and their consciences and as a result they are harming the rest of us?
wait a minute, that IS evil!
oh, I see … that is what you said … they are not all evil, but some of them are
they’re not evil, they’ve just given up their common sense and their consciences and as a result they are harming the rest of us?
wait a minute, that IS evil!
This is Agenda 21. What they are doing is making sure that all seeds are ultimately controlled by Big Food/ Big Biotech (Monsanto, Du Pont) and that they are all GMO. This is why they are trying to destroy all independent sources of seeds. The whole idea is that you only eat if you serve the system. This is why they are also destroying gardens. Control the food and you control the people to paraphrase Henry (actually Heinz) Kissinger.
ABSOLUTELY SPOT ON! That is exactly what this is.
I suggest that people continue to grow their heirloom seeds. Those that want to share seeds should begin a “gardening club” that meets monthly. People can hat about the various seeds they are using, how well they grow in various gardens, etc. And at the end of the season they can conspire to share seeds with each other. WOW!
This was downright scary to read. At first, someone sent me a link from a “conspiracy theory” website, so I did not think much of it, then I did some research and the story appeared in the town’s local newspaper. That made it legit in my mind. So who’s next?
You had best stop discounting things simply because you believe they are “conspiracy theory”. That attitude will end up leaving you WAY BEHIND THE 8 BALL, pal.
Nothing more foolish that buying the NEO mind control that tells you to look at all no mainstream news as “conspiracy”. That is EXACTLY how the CIA successfully trained the American public to avoid any and all investigation re. JFK murder that was not the “official” gov. Story.
These mind control freaks are centuries ahead of most people and you have been trained like Pavlov’s dogs. And that,my friend, is exactly how they refer to those of you who avoid “conspiracy theory”……………just ask any retired CIA person…….
It is well known around the globe that Americans are overly prideful and that they want to avoid looking stupid or gullible at all costs. So, in order to get you silly dogs to avoid looking for truth THEY…..aka the GOV. Simply call any information that THEY have not dispensed “conspiracy”!!!!!
Do you see how simple you are to train??????
Easier than a dog!
Wood, woof, woof………..
I Googled for “Seed act of 2004” and in addition to additional stories about this particular nonsense I got hits on article in India about their seed act in the same year. Suspicion on that. And in 2004. But I read parts of the act and it applies to commercial sellers of seed to farmers and gives farmers exemption from doing the same for themselves as well claim compensation if the seeds do not live up to expectations.
“The Bill exempts farmers from the requirement of compulsory registration. Farmers are allowed to sow, exchange or sell their farm seeds and planting material without having to conform to the prescribed minimum limits of germination, physical purity and genetic purity (as required by registered seeds). However, farmers cannot sell any seed under a brand name.”
Here is the link to the article I just quoted from:
http://www.prsindia.org/billtrack/the-seeds-bill-2004-104/
Okay, just because I try to give the benefit of the doubt, I can see why an open seed library might cause an issue. What if someone deposited seeds for a noxious species and someone planted/ate it? What if someone put a packet of anthrax in among the seeds?
Seems extremely unlikely, but you never know. And I say that as a firm believer of “those willing to sacrifice liberty for security will receive neither.”
As long as they allow for individuals to still maintain/share seeds among themselves, with people they know and trust, fine. I share my heirloom seeds all the time, and inform people who buy my produce that something is heirloom so they can save/grow the seed if they like (tomatoes, squash, cucumbers). Many do. It’s all about developing a self-sufficient community.
I hope someone in Mechanicsburg keeps up the seed library, but in a way that protects the quality of the seeds being “deposited” into it.
And how do we know the librarians aren’t planting bombs in the books?
Do you realize that the produce section of every grocery store is insecure? Any terrorist could sprinkle anthrax on our food!
And did you know that AGRICULTURAL FIELDS ARE OPEN TO THE AIR?????
Any terrorist could sprinkle anthrax on our food before it even gets to the grocery store!
(p.s. “real scenario” is an oxymoron, unless she’s saying it’s happened, in which case, let’s have the facts)
By the way … nobody ever put needles or razor blades in Hallowe’en goodies — another “very, very real scenario”
OH PLEASE!
CAN WE JUST AVOID THESE EXTREME AND DUMB EXAMPLES OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN?
GOOD GRIEF….THE SEEDS MIGHT BE ENGINEERED TO GROW GIANT HUMANS TOO…..LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
“Agri-terrorism is a very, very real scenario,” she said. “Protecting and maintaining the food sources of America is an overwhelming challenge … so you’ve got agri-tourism on one side and agri-terrorism on the other.” Cross said it made sense that the department would want to tackle the issue now while the efforts were small.”
You bet put a stop to the seed library EVIL before it starts! I’ll bet this woman was one of the first in line for Hillary’s most recent book. She probably thinks politicians are there to serve their constituents too. LOL
As long as the person distrubitng the seeds is know an reputable in the area I dont see a problem with this.
The towns can through the select bodies allow this and tell the government to go to hell.
Who was the traitor that reported this seed sharing?
Just like the traitors in NAZI Germany.