I had a big rant written but decided to make my Earth Day wish simple…. Let’s all put an end to GMO seeds and food. Here’s what you can do:
1) Urge the FDA to require the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods. You have a right to know about the food you eat and what you feed your family. Go to http://justlabelit.org/ and sign the petition.
2) Do not buy seeds from Companies that sell GMO seeds. Which is basically the majority of them. Here are a couple of links to companies not to buy from: http://myfolia.com/groups/250-life-wants-to-be-free/topics/2867-companies-that-sell-monsanto-products/posts and http://www.garden-of-eatin.com/how-to-avoid-monsanto/
3) Buy locally from Organic Farms – Even if they don’t have the ‘Organic’ label but believe in sustainable farming and do not use GMO’s. I buy from the Amish in my area. They aren’t certified by the government but they also don’t use pesticides.
4) Spread the word. Tell your friends and family. Post it on Facebook. Write to your local congressman or state rep.
5) Don’t invest your money in biotech stock. Move it into something else.
- Genetically engineered foods are required to be labeled in the 15 European Union nations, Russia, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries around the world.
- A recent poll released by ABC News found that 93 percent of the American public wants the federal government to require mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods.
A Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) results from a discipline called Genetic Engineering which involves taking genes from one species and inserting them into another. For example, genes from an arctic flounder which has “antifreeze” properties may be spliced into a tomato to prevent frost damage. It is impossible to guide the insertion of the new gene. This can lead to unpredictable effects. Also, genes do not work in isolation but in highly complex relationships which are still not fully understood. Any change to the DNA at any point will affect it throughout its length in ways scientists cannot predict. The claim by some that they can is both arrogant and untrue. – Baker Creek Seed Website
Next Week: Chris Vogliano from Kent State University will be writing a Guest Blog on Monsanto.
Thanks for the action plan.
Totally with you on this. We only buy organic and heirloom seeds from a handful of suppliers in Canada where we live.
Reblogged this on heritagebreedfarms and commented:
I was expecting to see a blog focused on earth day. I believe that every day it is our responsibility to take care of the earth. However, I am anti-earth day as it is nearly a religion of earth worship in my humble opinion. So back to the article above, I was pleasantly surprised to see that people want to take action against things that may harm us. The post was not simply a reduce, reuse, and recycle article; but a great post about supporting local organic farms and demanding knowledge on what products contain GMO product.
One of my favorite seed companies, Johnny’s Seeds, is on that list of providers that do business with Monsanto and I feel like boycotting Johnny’s would do more harm than good.
I found this story on the Johnny’s Seeds website that explains what’s going on: http://www.johnnyseeds.com/t-ownership.aspx
Short summary: Johnny’s has been buying seeds from a provider named “Seminis” for like 20 years. Seminis supplies about 4% of Johnny’s total stock.
This reselling is pretty typical. Very few seed companies only sell their own stock. For example, I’ve gotten onion sets and seed potatoes from one catalog provider that still had the labels from the individual farms with their farm website.
Monsanto bought Seminis four years ago. Johnny’s is looking for replacement providers.
Boycotting all of Johnnys because they get 4% of their stuff from a company that got acquired by Monsanto seems a little drastic and might hurt a company that does so many things right.
Good point Matt but why not get rid of the 4% of their stock? It seems easier to do that then deal with being associated with Monsanto.
Even better point!
Useful references here. Thanks for raising my consciousness about this aspect of our crazy world! Paul
It’s terrifying how our food has been altered, and we just let it happen. Thanks for posting the links!
This is very enlightening. Thanks for making your readers aware!
Reblogged this on northernhomesteader and commented:
Such a well-written post…ha to share!
an excellent way to “celebrate” Earth Day – so appropriate!
Reblogged this on House of the Moon and commented:
This is truly a way to celebrate Earth Day!
Thanks for this very good article. I strongly recommend “The world according to Monsanto” (documentary) for everyone with an interest in learning more about GMOs – You can watch the full documentary at http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-world-according-to-monsanto/
The problem I have with the Amish is that they’re big on running puppy mills, which are evil. That guy in New York state last year gassed 93 dogs before he got raided, and it’s a pervasive problem in the Amish community. Please make sure you’re dealing with folks who don’t do that. http://www.care2.com/news/member/325453706/2431784
Sorry, year before last. I spend most of my time these days on animal rescue, and I don’t care who the abusers are, they need stopping.
AMEN! ♥
Great post- thanks for the helpful links. I am wondering if you know whether seeds from Henry Fields are also linked to Monsanto? I am not having much luck so far finding that out, although since I already have my seeds for this year in hand, I will be better informed for next year.
Thank you for all the links! I just started planter gardening and am about to prepare my first above ground bed (will have to do until I get my composter and make some soil in this desert clay). Love your tips for non GMO.
Simply put and to the point–thanks!
I just tossed a seed catalog in the recycling from a company I used to buy a lot from–someone else forwarded me their concerns, so I guess the issue is getting around. Your story is fascinating and I love the Project Garden Share work you are doing!
Thanks for spreading the word!
Great post! Off topic but I tried adding you to my blogroll 5 times to no avail. (My Garden blog) Will try again. I wonder why it wouldn’t work?
I finally got you on my blogroll. I didn’t know it was limited to ten links unless you change the settings.
Thank You!
Ew, had no idea my tomato seeds could be mixed with actic flounder. That just feels soooo wrong on soooo many levels. Guess I’ve got some more educatin’ to get! Thanks!
Thanks for not ranting. I do like the eco friendly product sales that are associated with Earth Day 🙂
Reblogged this on heritagebreedfarms and commented:
This was supposed to repost earlier
I am so happy to discover you here. This is more than a typical blog; it’s a valuable resource. I intend to share this, not only on FB, but with friends and relatives and strangers and with anyone who will listen. We vote with our dollars. The sooner people begin to understand that if they don’t buy it, with either cash or with intelligence, it will fade out. We must have intelligent conversation to promote awareness of what each of us can do to stop the madness of GMOs. Thanks for this wonderful, albeit haunting blog. Also, I’ll be nominating you for Versatile Blog Award in the next few day. Thanks. And keep up the great job.
Reblogged this on Jan Deelstra.
nice post.
I think it’s plain wrong to stand firmly against GMO research and plant modification for the reasons detailed in my recent blog post. I can understand the concern over what some giant corporations are doing. The problem is that some genetic modifications really are good and non-harmful! Decided to respond to every genetic modification the same way is not smart. Instead, it would be better to require specific information about what specific modification has been done to an organism. Right now the entire sustainability community is reacting with fear based sweeping and inaccurate generalizations, rather than completely educating themselves, embracing the good, and standing against the bad.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I don’t know why you’d want to put anything ‘genetically modified’ into your body instead of something grown naturally. Also, keep in mind that the GMO market is about $ and getting as much out of a crop as possible. Which means a carrot grown today has 50% less nutritional value then a carrot grown 40 years ago.
The genetic modifications themselves are not what create the nutritional deficiency you’re referring to- the farming practices that use artificial fertilizer and continually strip the soil are what cause that. Genetically modified organisms can be grown naturally. The growing method has nothing to do with the genetic modification and most genetically modified organisms can be grown using organic methods. I should add that to my list of common misconceptions. I completely agree that the giant corporations using GMO science in their plant production are evil and do bad things with it. However, they are now also causing the entire science to be misunderstood as a result of their irresponsible practices. I hope people educate themselves more thoroughly about what GM actually is and everything that it does. Each genetic modification should be researched on a case by case basis. As I mention in my post, some of them are literally incapable of harming you or the environment while increasing crop production. Others are only dangerous when they are combined with chemicals made by the harmful corporations. More public education about the field is needed.
I read your post listing the misconceptions about GMO. It’s very informative, thank you. You have insight into genetic modification that the majority of us don’t, so it’s helpful when someone such as yourself shares. However, I think you may be taking this post a little too personal, as you have such a close connection.
Reading Soulsby’s post, I most certainly don’t think he’s “firmly against research.” It’s pretty clear he’s firmly against unnecessary food modification, and the corruption behind it. (ie. not labeling) I don’t even think he specifically mentioned research.
On your post you mentioned the large strawberries. I don’t think anyone complaining about strawberries (or insert plant of choice) is concerned with the size. It’s the fact that’s it’s been modified specifically to survive dousing with hazardous chemicals with the intent to be consumed by humans. It seems you agree on this point.
Also you stated on your post that people would be dead by ten years of age if it weren’t for GMOs. Again, no one said anything about hating GMOs in medication, insulin, etc.
You’re correct that if someone is painting with a broad brush and saying all GMOs are bad, they are ill-informed. But it seems to me that in this circumstance, you are the one painting with the broad brush by implying that everyone in “the sustainability community” assumes all GMOs are bad.
I think the main argument is we want access to the science of what we are eating. We want to be able to have a choice in what we are eating.
You said SOME GMOs are good, and I think all we’re saying is SOME GMOs are bad.
Good points. To clarify, I hope that they label foods with specific information about what GM procedures have been used on them. My worry is that all GM food research will be abandoned because the labels are not specific, leading to the metaphorical baby getting thrown out with the bathwater. I’m glad to hear I misunderstood the post and that many are aware of the food GMs that happen. I’ve met people who literally think that all GM work is to be shunned. Thanks for helping me see otherwise 🙂
I’m curious to see what you think of my latest post: https://soulsbyfarm.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/the-truth-about-genetically-modified-organisms-gmos/#comments
Reblogged this on The Goat Granny and commented:
Dan at The Soulsby Farm has written a wonderful article for earth day, yes I know I am late I was busy doing my own earthy things around here;) This is a must read. He has included some great links of companies that sell/support mon-satin-oh! and we should all steer clear of GMO’s. I felt that a reblog was necessary FYI and as a standing ovation & recognition of a blog post well written by Dan! Thank you!!
BRAVO Dan!!!
Loving your blog from Little L.A. (Lower Alabama)!
THANKS for putting this all in once place for me. great earth day post.
AMEN to all your suggestions!
Thank you for the links to the seed companies to avoid…that’s a valuable reference and an eye opener!
Reblogged this on Three Loving Christians and commented:
I can not fathom the audacity of the human mentality to think using dna from a human inside of a plant would be good since nature has no plant even close to our dna. Nature already picked the best of the best when it started and this is why the combinations we had were here. We as humans are so arrogant to think we know best for the rest of the species. I am growing organic as I can since soon this will be unheard of in america. Soulsby Farms is a great place to learn from. It is my top pick of sites to help you with your farming needs.
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YAY! Great post!! Thank You!
Love the action plan! And, thanks for regularly stopping by my part of the internet.
Reblogged this on Growing Up in the Garden and commented:
A great post on how to take action to stop GMOs. This is a great follow up to my last post.
I just reblogged this too.
When we start messing with the genetics of what was given to us we can find ourselves in a terrible spot! Nothing should be genetically engineered. Thank you for this article and the information contained within! Barb
Genetic modification horrifies me. I buy local whenever I can afford to – which isn’t as often as I like but we’re getting there, slowly but surely. We’re starting out with chickens this spring – I’ve got my very first flock in my bathtub as I write. 🙂 And I’m trying to get hubby to plant a garden – but one step at a time, we’ll get there eventually.
My only beef with buying from the Amish is that they are well-known for running puppy mills, and tend not to believe that all animals deserve to be treated well, regardless of whether they end up on the dinner table in the end. My understanding from HSUS investigators is that it’s more of a cultural/religious belief than any actual cruelty, but that doesn’t make any difference to the animals that are suffering. 😦
Great post! 🙂 Thanks for more great info (as usual!) …Also, I nominated The Soulsby Farm for the Versatile Blogger Award on my page 😉 Happy blogging! http://loveandstories.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/blogger-award/