Did you know that well over half of all seeds sold globally are controlled by just four companies? And consolidation in the seed industry is only getting worse.

This infographic shows how seed companies have been bought and sold over the years to create a small cadre of powerful agrochemical-seed companies.

This type of consolidation has become commonplace in our food system, with industries like farming equipment, meat processing, dairy, and retail grocery sales all dominated by just a small number of companies.

Seeds are a foundational part of our food system – after all, they represent the genetic potential for all of our future meals.

Consolidation in the seed industry – and the shrinking array of seeds available on the market as a result – represents a major loss of that genetic material.  Heirloom varieties of all sorts of crops are endangered or lost to time.

That means a loss in the taste & nutrition of foods available to communities over the world. And, concerningly, it means that farmers have lost the ability to choose crops that are adapted to their ecosystem, or that show traits that might prove resilient in the face of a changing climate.

The USDA recently released a report calling for more publicly-funded seed research and antitrust enforcement in the seed industry, aiming to tackle consolidation at the industry level.

There’s also a huge role for farmers, gardeners, and eaters to promote seed sovereignty at a community level. Read on for ideas!

What can I do?

As you’re gathering seeds for your farm, garden, or containers this Spring, consider taking these steps:

  • Read more about the importance of seed sovereignty – check out the resources from groups like the Freed Seed Federation, and learn about the importance of seed sovereignty to Native & Indigenous communities through the work of organizations like the Native Food Sovereignty Alliance. 

  • If you’re buying seeds, look for non-profit organizations, cooperatives, or community groups that prioritize saving, sharing, and expanding access to seeds – like Seed Savers Exchange or Ujaama Seed Cooperative.

  • Or, buy seedlings from a local farm (& ask about where they get their seeds from!) Check out the NOFA/Mass Member Seedling Sale List below).

  • Join a community group or online forum that facilitates seed sharing among members in your region.

  • Attend or host a seed swap!

How to Host a Seed Swap

A seed swap is an event where growers gather and share extra or leftover seeds with each other.

Growers bring as many seeds as they like, and take as many seeds as they realistically expect to grow in a given season. It’s a great way to find new-to-you varieties, meet other growers, and reduce waste in the food system.

Seed swaps can be as simple or as elaborate as you’d like – here’s a few ideas to inspire you this growing season:

  1. Start small! While it’s great to get the whole community involved, if you haven’t hosted a seed swap before, start with a smaller group. Invite a few friends or neighbors to bring any seeds they have to a small gathering at your home or garden, a community center or library, or even a local park.

  2. Bring supplies! Pens, labels, and small envelopes or bags for swappers to label & take seeds home are all essential to a smooth seed swapping experience.

  3. Connect with community gardens! If there are community garden organizations in your area, connect with them about the seed swap. They may help recruit fellow gardeners and farmers, and can serve as an outlet for extra seeds. You may have seeds leftover at the end of the event, and it’s great to know what you’ll do with those seeds ahead of time.

Check out these resources for more detailed advice, and let us know how your seed swaps go!

Natick Community Organic Farm Seedling Sale
(Natick, MA)

Organic annual & perennial vegetables, herbs, flowers

Sale dates: May 11 & 12
Location: On the farm, 117 Eliot St, Natick MA 01760
Preordering is not available • SNAP/EBT is accepted
More info: Web: www.natickfarm.org  Facebook: facebook.com/natickfarm

Natick Community Farm is a nonprofit, certified-organic farm, providing productive open space, farm products, and hands-on education for all ages, year-round. The Natick Community Organic Farm is about farming in the public eye. Visitors to the farm learn what food looks like before it gets processed, refined, or packaged. We demonstrate how to take good care of the land and the animals, and we’re excited to teach the next generation about stewardship, ecology, and personal responsibility.

Needham Community Farm Seedling Sale
(Needham, MA)
Annual vegetables, herbs, flowers

Sale date: May 18 from 9am – 12pm
Location: Newman Elementary School, out front: 1155 Central Ave, Needham, MA 02492
Preordering is not available • SNAP/EBT not able to be accepted at this time
More info: Web: www.natickfarm.org
Facebook: facebook.com/needhamfarm  Instagram: @needhamfarm

Needham Community Farm’s mission:  Our mission: to deepen our community’s connection to nature, our food system, and each other. We focus on three intertwined program areas: providing farm-based educational opportunities for learning about sustainable growing and nutrition; increasing access to healthy produce for those in our community who experience food insecurity; and building community through volunteerism

Berkshire Conservation District’s Native Plant Sale

Why so late in the season? Cooler temps arrive with great conditions for root establishment: typically between Sept. 1 through the end of Oct.

Sale date: August 31 / Rain date: Sept 1  Cash or check only accepted on site.
Location: Holiday Brook Farm, 100 Holiday Cottage Rd, Dalton, MA 01226
Preordering is encouraged • SNAP/EBT not able to be accepted at this time
More info: Keep an eye on the website: berkshireconservation.org for the online plant catalog.

Limited number of discounted plants available for sale at the end of the day.

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