“To put it simply—these are good people with a small, historic business, selling important products during difficult times.”  — Ricki Carroll

Campaign to Save D. Landreth Seed Company
Purchase a catalog for $5 and help save the oldest seed company in the U.S.

The oldest seed company in the nation, D. Landreth Seed Company, is in danger of closing. This seller of heirloom seeds was founded in 1784 in New Freedom, Pennsylvania — even George Washington bought his seeds there! Barbara and Peter Melera bought the company in 2003 in an effort to reclaim it as a viable business, and to support a worthy cause. She borrowed capital and, unfortunately, her creditor recently called in her loan.

In order to keep this historic business from bankruptcy, the company is asking folks to pay $5 for their next catalog. They will be printing only the number of catalogs ordered in this campaign. If they can sell 225,000 catalogs, they will be able to pay their creditors and continue their business!

To order a catalog and help this company through a rough spot – click here

To make a contribution (scroll down to ChipIn) – click here

From the Organic Consumers Association:

A Few Reasons to Use Heirloom and Open-Pollinated Seeds

1. We need genetic diversity.  It is not good for human beings or any other living creatures to become dependent on a limited amount of hybrid seeds. One example of this problem is the Irish potato famine in the 1840s. Farmers planted only a few species of potatoes from seeds that originally came from the Andes mountains. Those seeds were not hardy enough to survive the climate in Ireland and, as a result, over two and a half million people either died or were forced to leave the country.  If there had been more diversity, the odds are there would have been far less damage.

2. Heirloom seeds produce the exact same type of plant every year.  Hybrids are only the same once (built in obsolescence).  This supports their sale by the large seed companies because, as a consumer, you have to buy new ones every year.

3. Heirloom seeds are hardier because they have withstood the test of time.  They are therefore more resistant to pests, diseases and weather extremes.

4. Heirloom fruits and vegetables offer us a wider variety of nutrients.  This contributes to our ability to survive as a species.

5. Hybrid seeds have been bred to yield fruit and vegetables that can withstand being transported long distances (to market). This has compromised the taste, whereas heirloom seeds yield the full taste experience.

6. Genetically modified corn has been found to cause organ damage in rats- the kidneys and livers (the detox organs).  Other organs were also adversely affected.