A gift was given yesterday...

...I.. ...I feel like the richest man in the world after answering a Craigslist ad for free seeds. I was given several heirloom variety of seeds, some of which have very interesting stories behind them. For example, Victory Seeds, ((an Rare, Open-pollinated & Heirloom Garden Seeds company that signed the Safe Seed Pledge guaranteeing they are not treated with chemicals, hybridized, or GMO)) had this to say about Coyote tomato.

50 days, indeterminate — This variety was given to heirloom tomato collector Craig LeHoullier by Maye Clement during a Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Harvest Fair show, as a cluster of fruit on the vine. She indicated that it grew wild in her home country of Mexico. It is a tiny cherry tomato that ripens its prolific crop to an ivory, translucent yellow color, shading to darker yellow at the shoulders. Flavor is superb.

Heirloom seeds are wonderful, and generally have much better flavor, and resistance against various ailments in nature. Given that so many things are grown together here, I have little worry about diseases at all on my property as the soil gets better every year with my worm army.

So what is that Safe Seed Pledge really? Well, here is another quote for you from Victory Seeds .

The Safe Seed Pledge

"Agriculture and seeds provide the basis upon which our lives depend. We must protect this foundations as a safe and genetically stable source for future generations. For the benefit of all farmers, gardeners and consumers who want an alternative, we pledge that we do not knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants. The mechanical transfer of genetic material outside of natural reproductive methods and between genera, families or kingdoms, poses great biological risks as well as economic, political, and cultural threats. We feel that genetically engineered varieties have been insufficiently tested prior to public release. More research and testing is necessary to further assess the potential risks of genetically engineered seeds. Further, we wish to support agricultural progress that leads to healthier soils, genetically diverse agricultural ecosystems and ultimately people and communities."

Council for Responsible Genetics
5 Upland Rd, Suite 3 Cambridge, MA 02140
Phone: (617) 868-0870 Fax: (617) 491-5344
Email: crg@gene-watch.org

http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.org

Do I support this? Hell yes I do! Our food sources is not something that should be messed with for profit. People everywhere have the RIGHT to healthy food, and my life will be happy in that pursuit of happiness!

So, with all that said, I am beyond happy and deeply humble and thankful to my benefactor of seeds so that my family and friends can have healthy food this year, and with any luck, more years to come. Blessings upon them, and to you... ..stay green!