Seedless Tomatoes and.....the future

[Ladyhawke1]

http://www.burpee.com/text/content/email/2010_01_SweetSeedlessTomato-A.html

My heart goes out to those that cannot eat seeds. However, I want to know that I can save seed for the future. And, yes, right now there are a zillion other varieties to choose from. But what about the future and what about tomatoes and other vegetables cross pollinating themselves into extinction because they have no seeds to set?

And....and then maybe the only other place you can get seed.....and that is a BIG maybe is MONSANTO. The world's food supply could be held hostage and we turned a blind eye and contibuted to it.


I like to ask those provocative questions. It makes people think. Yes, I know, I am just the Blue Bird of Happiness. But then, I like to think ahead.

 

[nittygrittydirtdigger]

You know, I'm usually a mild-mannered and easy going person, but that M-word makes my blood boil, for exactly the reason you mention. Before we were fortunate enough to buy our few acres a couple years ago, I had No Idea of the politics of food, but boyoboy my eyes are sure open now!

It gives me hope when I read about the posts on this forum about people using op, heirloom seeds only, and when I read the Baker Creek and Seed Savers catalogs and see how invested some people are in saving the genetic diversity of seeds. We are doing our small part by planting op seeds only, and saving them as best we are able.

We (hubby and I) talk to our families and friends about the loss of genetic diversity in seeds. They are starting to understand why it is URGENT that we don't rely on just a few types of corn or fieldsful of RoundupReady soybeans.

Sadly, most of the population doesn't even know that there is an issue. Forums like this sure help.

 

[Ladyhawke1]

You know, I'm usually a mild-mannered and easy going person, but that M-word makes my blood boil, for exactly the reason you mention. Before we were fortunate enough to buy our few acres a couple years ago, I had No Idea of the politics of food, but boyoboy my eyes are sure open now!

It gives me hope when I read about the posts on this forum about people using op, heirloom seeds only, and when I read the Baker Creek and Seed Savers catalogs and see how invested some people are in saving the genetic diversity of seeds. We are doing our small part by planting op seeds only, and saving them as best we are able.

We (hubby and I) talk to our families and friends about the loss of genetic diversity in seeds. They are starting to understand why it is URGENT that we don't rely on just a few types of corn or fieldsful of RoundupReady soybeans.

Sadly, most of the population doesn't even know that there is an issue. Forums like this sure help.

I am so glad that someone else understands and knows what is going on. I usually am slammed for opening my big mouth. If we do not educate then all is lost. This is not about one's opinion; it is about saving the diversity of this world.

That is how the world was able to evolve...seeds diversified to overcome obstacles and survived to the next generation in order to feed us and the rest of creation.

 

[nittygrittydirtdigger]

I don't care if I get slammed for opening my big mouth.

I have three kids, six grandkids and two great-grandkids, not to mention a passel of nephews and great-nephews and nieces. They are worth being thought a bit of a nutcase if it helps one iota to improve the world they are inheriting.

As for me, I'm the third of six generations of living first-born daughters. My grandmother is in her late 90s and still lives in her own apartment. She goes to church, makes items to sell at the church bazaar, has friends in and participates in many family events. Given that, I feel that I am just now (in my mid-50s) in my middle age. There were some bumps along the road getting to this point, so I do all that seems reasonable to assure that I can live the second half of my life in a hale and hearty manner. That includes talking about matters that I feel are vital to this world. Granny tells me old age aint for sissies, and I tell her there's no sissies in this family!

So my big mouth will continue to flap about things that I find urgently important for the wellbeing of my family, and for the wellbeing of this planet. And I will continue to try being part of the solution here at my little corner of the world.

 

[Ladyhawke1]

WhoYa! Girl friend! :rose

 

[journey11]

What is it, diverticulitis, where you can't have seeds? Anyhow...seems kinda pointless to me. It's not that hard to scoop the seeds out of a tomato if you have to.

I tell ya what though, we Americans are awfully comfy cozy in our way of life and we don't think something like what happened in Haiti (or anywhere else for that matter) could ever happen to us. Not too wise to be that complacent. I don't want to be totally dependent on the grocery store to feed me.....

 

[boggybranch]

Maybe it's just me.....but I think there's more flavor in the seeds, than in the mater.

Tomatoes without seeds......not interested.

 

[wifezilla]

Did someone say the M word?

 

[Ladyhawke1]

I tell ya what though, we Americans are awfully comfy cozy in our way of life and we don't think something like what happened in Haiti (or anywhere else for that matter) could ever happen to us. Not too wise to be that complacent. I don't want to be totally dependent on the grocery store to feed me.....

Well you got that right!

I live in shaky country. That is California earthquake country to you. After the last big earthquake in 1991, all of the insurance companies ran from this state and now they do not provide earthquake insurance. They want you to buy it from the California Earthquake Authority. That means a deductable of 15% down before they do any to rebuild your property. Who in the heck has that kind of money? I have news for my insurance company and California. I am going to sit on my pile of rubble with a barrowed shotgun and wait with the rest of the Californians until someone comes and helps me rebuild because that is what I am paying when I pay my taxes.

Or, do they abandon us as they did to those in New Orleansand now in Haiti. Telling the people of Haiti there are no more emergency medical trips to the STATES because they do not know who is going to pay for it. What kind of people does that make us look like to the rest of the world?

There goes my big mouth again.

 

[nittygrittydirtdigger]

Ahhh, earthquakes, just one more reason I don't miss California as much as I thought I would. (Although I still feel the urge to duck and cover whenever I hear that certain noise that accompanies the start of a trembler, which sounds remarkably like the small plane that goes over my house a few times a year)

We lived in Paso Robles during the big 6.8 quake there a few years back, just a few days before Christmas. We lost two citizens in that quake, and it was horrific to see our lovely old-fashioned downtown turned to rubble. FEMA was pathetic. The guy who inspected our house didn't even have the sense to wear a rain jacket.....in December...in California....in a heavy rainstorm. Our insurance guy was okay, but we got ridiculous settlement fees, such as $12 for removal of the remains of our brick fascia that had covered about 200 sf. FEMA infuriated many people by using ancient valuations of property.

So, here I am, learning by doing, and by reading forums that teach me how to live a lifestyle that is more compatable with my beliefs, and planting an extra row of veggies, so that I can give back a bit to my new community.