Open-Pollinated, Pure, Natural, Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds
Our Commitment to Seed Purity
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. strives to only offer seeds that are non-treated and GMO-free with the best of our efforts. This has been and will continue to be our guiding principle. Why is this so? It's because we are guided by the Golden Rule: we would not sell anything that we would consider potentially harmful to the health of others or the environment.
UNDERSTANDING WHAT THESE TERMS MEAN
Open Pollination: Nature's Way of Breeding
Open pollination is achieved by insects, birds, wind, or other natural mechanisms. The seeds of open-pollinated plants will produce new generations of those plants, maintaining genetic diversity and adaptability.
One of the bigger challenges in maintaining a strain by open pollination is avoiding introduction of pollen from other strains. Based on how broadly the pollen for the plant tends to disperse, it can be controlled to varying degrees by greenhouses, tall wall enclosures, or field isolation.
Popular examples of plants produced under open pollination conditions include the heirloom tomato. Baker Creek is using tent enclosures in its own gardens to house the plants. Bumble bees are then introduced to control the pollination. This prevents cross-pollination from undesirable sources, as well as preventing cross-contamination between strains.
Pure and Natural Seeds: Untreated and Chemical-Free
Pure and Natural seeds begin with untreated seed and are free of added chemical seed treatments. While our seeds are not certified organic, they can be confidently used in organic gardens, and many are grown by organic farmers. They are not genetically modified. We do our best to maintain seed purity and do not knowingly offer seeds that contain any genetically modified material.
Heirloom Seeds: Preserving Our Agricultural Heritage
In sharp contrast to hybrids, Heirlooms trace their ancestry back many years to a time when pesticides and herbicides were not in use. As Jere Gettle, the owner of Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. puts it, "Basically, an Heirloom seed is one that has been passed down through families and is usually considered to be over 50 years old. Some varieties even date back to Thomas Jefferson's garden and beyond."
Unlike hybrids or GMO's which often have problems reproducing to the parent strain, Heirloom seeds can be saved and replanted, ensuring a trustworthy supply of family food year after year.
Non-GMO: No Genetic Engineering
A Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) results from a discipline called Genetic Engineering which involves taking genes from one species and inserting them into another. For example, genes from an arctic flounder which has "antifreeze" properties may be spliced into a tomato to prevent frost damage.
It is impossible to guide the insertion of the new gene. This can lead to unpredictable effects. Also, genes do not come with an "off switch," and therefore they keep functioning as they were programmed to do in their original organism, potentially creating unforeseen consequences in food crops.
WHY THIS MATTERS
At Baker Creek, we believe in preserving biodiversity, maintaining seed sovereignty, and providing our customers with seeds that are safe for their families and the environment. Our commitment to open-pollinated, pure, natural, and non-GMO seeds ensures that gardeners can save seeds year after year, maintain control over their food supply, and grow vegetables the way nature intended.
