Smart Seed Shopping
Knowing how your seed is produced is just as important as the final fruits and vegetables you grow. To help you make your decision, we've compiled a list of seed vendors for your reference, with ownership information, organic availability and GMO policies for each:
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Ownership: Jere and Emilee Gettle
Organic? Some
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
Botanical Interests
Ownership: Family-owned
Organic: Some
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
Burpee
Ownership: George Ball
Organic? Some
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
Chas C. Hart Seed Company
Ownership: Family owned and operated
Organic? "Untreated, suitable for organic use"
GMO Policy? No genetically engineered seeds
Fedco
Ownership: Worker/consumer owned cooperative
Organic? Some
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
Fruition Seeds
Ownership: Privately owned
Organic? Yes
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
Gardens Alive
Ownership: Privately owned
Organic? Organic flagship catalog
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
Germania Seed Company
Ownership: Rich Kane, President and Founder
Organic? No
GMO Policy? Seed descriptions do not specify GMO/non GMO, but do specify heirloom varieties
Growers Exchange
Ownership: Family-owned
Organic? Not specified
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
Gurney's Seed & Nursery
Ownership: Owned by Gardens Alive
Organic? No
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
Harris Seeds
Ownership: Privately owned
Organic? Some
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
Heirloom Seeds
Ownership: Family operated
Organic? Some
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
High Mowing Organic Seeds
Ownership: Family-owned
Organic? Yes
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
Johnny's Selected Seeds
Ownership: 100% employee owned
Organic? Some
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
The Natural Gardening Company
Owndership: Privately owned
Organic? Yes
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
Park Seed
Ownership: Privately owned by JPPA Inc.
Organic? Some
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
Renee's Garden
Ownership: Renee Shepherd
Organic? Yes
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
Seed Savers Exchange
Ownership: Non profit organization
Organic? Some
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
Seeds of Change
Ownership: Privately owned by Mars, Inc.
Organic? Yes
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
Select Seeds
Ownership: Marilyn Barlow
Organic? Some
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
Ownership: 100% employee owned
Organic? Some
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
Territorial Seed Company
Ownership: Tom and Julie Johns
Organic? Some
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
Victory Seeds
Ownership: Family owned
Organic? Certified naturally grown
GMO Policy? Non-GMO
This list is a work in progress, and we invite you to contact us with additional details and suggestions.
When searching for seeds, another good resource is the Council for Responsible Genetics' Safe Seed Resource List, a directory that includes local, national and international GMO-free vendors. If your goal is to avoid seeds directly linked to conglomerate seed companies,we also recommend the Safe Seed Pledge, a voluntary pledge companies can take to commit to selling non-GMO seeds.
