Our Seed

Our Seed Collection: We grow and source a broad selection of premium quality vegetable seed, herb seed, flower seed, bulbs & tubers, and cover crop varieties that have survived the test of time based on their dependability, usefulness and distinctive characteristics. The seeds we source come from our network of skilled regional growers and independently-owned North American seed producers.

Open Pollinated Seed: Sow True Seed exclusively offers open-pollinated seed (non-hybrid, non-GMO seed) that is not treated with fungicides or pesticides of any kind. When properly saved and replanted, open-pollinated varieties will reproduce “true” to the characteristics of the parent plants, providing the primary link to sustainability and food sovereignty. Conversely, replanting seeds from F-1 hybrid and genetically modified varieties will reproduce unstable and unreliable characteristics that result in a seasonal dependence on the corporations that hold their patents. Each open-pollinated variety remains protected in the public domain as the common property of everyone.

Heirloom Seed: Heirloom seeds are defined as open-pollinated varieties that were in circulation in 1940, prior to the introduction of F1 hybrids. Many heirlooms are much older and have been passed down by families and traditional cultures for generations.

Organic Seed: Sow True Seed offers organically grown varieties, indicated by the word ORGANIC printed after the variety name on the seed packet. Organic seed is grown and processed in accordance with the USDA’s National Organic Program. Sow True Seed is inspected and Certified Organic by the USDA accredited agency, Quality Certification Services (www.qcsinfo.org).

Ecologically Grown Seed (ECO): A seed industry term that indicates varieties that are grown with ecological farming methods that are free from synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers and genetically modified seed.

Certified Naturally Grown Seed (CNG): An international, peer-reviewed certification program for direct market growers of produce and livestock that prohibits the use of synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, hormones and genetically modified seed.

Quality Testing: To ensure our customers receive the highest quality seed, we perform germination tests with in-house standards that exceed the USDA’s minimum percentages for germination.

Safe Seed Pledge

Sow True Seed is aligned with over 70 seed companies that have signed the Council for Responsible Genetics’ “Safe Seed Pledge” (reproduced below).  We feel that GMO varieties threaten botanical diversity through indiscriminate cross-pollination and the resulting abandonment of non-GMO, open-pollinated varieties.  Participating companies have taken the pledge to not engage in the trade of genetically modified seed. Sow True Seed takes the pledge further by exclusively offering untreated, open-pollinated seed that can be reliably saved and replanted in the future.  We recognise that the unlimited production and distribution of open-pollinated seed is primary to the growth and endurance of sustainable, regional, farming communities.   Sow True endorses the basic right of all the earth’s people to enjoy a safe, ethical and sovereign food production and distribution system.  We call for your support in these efforts – please sign our GMO-FREE WNC petition – keep seed safe!

The Safe Seed Pledge: “Agriculture and seeds provide the basis upon which our lives depend. We must protect this foundation 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 healthy people and communities.”