Hey everyone, I'm on the hunt for seed companies that are either union-friendly or employee-owned. I really want to support businesses that align with those values rather than the corporate giants like Monsanto. Do any of you know of any good options?
3 Answers
I've had fantastic experiences with Territorial Seeds in Oregon too! They’ve got a good selection and are pretty reliable. And you're right; local heirloom seed businesses usually have great varieties and support local farming.
Definitely check out Fedco! It's an employee-owned cooperative based in Maine. Southern Exposure Seed Exchange in Virginia is also worker-owned and has a great reputation. You might want to look into Johnny's, another employee-owned choice from Maine. Sow True Seeds out of North Carolina is also a good option since it's a worker-owned cooperative. Just be cautious with companies like Seed Savers Exchange since they've been accused of union-busting in the past; I personally won't buy from them anymore.
Wow, I didn’t know that about Seed Savers! Good to know.
You can't go wrong with Johnny's and Fedco. Also, Southern Exposure has been great for me over the years; they really focus on quality. If you’re looking for more options, try googling "heirloom seeds" in your area, as smaller businesses typically offer non-GMO seeds that are worth checking out.
Thanks for the heads up on Seed Savers! That's really disappointing to hear.