- Author: IPM Program
- Contributor: Karen Giovannini
Author: UC Integrated Pest Management Program
Have you had unexpected seeds show up in the mail? Unknown seeds could be invasive plants, contain invasive insects, or have plant disease causing agents. Here's what the United States Department of Agriculture Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) has to say about it. APHIS Stakeholder Announcement July 28, 2020 (Language from their website)
USDA Investigates Packages of Unsolicited Seeds
USDA is aware that people across the country have received suspicious, unsolicited packages of seed that appear to be coming from China. USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection, other federal agencies, and State departments of agriculture to investigate the situation.
At this time, [USDA does not] have any evidence indicating this is something other than a “brushing scam” where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales. USDA is currently collecting seed packages from recipients and will test their contents and determine if they contain anything that could be of concern to U.S. agriculture or the environment.
USDA is committed to preventing the unlawful entry of prohibited seeds and protecting U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and noxious weeds. Visit the APHIS' website to learn more about USDA's efforts to stop agricultural smuggling and promote trade compliance.
What to do with the Seeds
Do NOT plant or dispose of these seeds!
Please hold onto the seeds and packaging, including the mailing label.
In Sonoma County
Anyone who receives an unsolicited package of seeds can drop the seeds and packaging off in the Drop Box at the Agriculture Department, 133 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa CA 95403 or contact the department:
- SonomaAg@Sonoma-County.org
- 707-565-2371
Other Counties
Contact your County Agriculture Commissioners office.
Best Practices: do not plant seeds from unknown origins
/h3>/h3>/h3>/h2>/h2>- Author: Linda Peterson
This is Sonoma County UCCE's third and final year managing the USDA funded Agropreneur training program (Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program, BFRDP). Before class even started, we were able to invite three of our students, who are veterans, to a film screening in Berkeley, called “Battlefields to Farmfields”; about veterans taking up farming. Ground Operations made the film, and the event was hosted by the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC). It was an amazing and quite moving film; with a panel of veterans, filmmaker and FVC Executive Director – Michael O'Gorman. Our students were able to attend thanks to O'Gorman's generosity, and had an opportunity meet and talk with him.
The first week in June, we took two more students, who have experience in swine production, on a road trip to Magruder Ranch in Mendocino County to learn about pastured pig, lamb and grass fed beef operations. Grace Magruder, fifth generation rancher who came home to the farm, was our host and shared their land management strategies; how they encourage native grasses and let the land rest as needed, using pasture rotation. We had lunch in their beautiful historic home, with a breeze blowing through the screened in porch, and chatted with Mac Magruder, Grace, and her husband Kyle. Wonderful conversations flowed up and down the dining table, as people shared the challenges and joys of ranching.
The first “official” day of class was on June 6th. This is a nine week race to the finish to complete a business plan. As we've done the past two years, we offer opportunities to visit farms and ranches; grow specialty crops at Shone Farm, with support from our graduates from 2012 and 2013; partner with SBDC counselors to develop and hone their business plans; connect with a broad range of resources, including organic certifiers, lenders, marketers, ag tourism experts, SBDC counselors and more.
Each year, people come to us with their vision, determination, and the hope that they can manifest a sustainable Ag business. Their interests range widely, including hydroponics (fish), medicinal herbs, pigs, chickens, beef cattle, goats, value-added products, mushrooms, row crops, agri-tourism, and bees.
Let us know if you want to come for a visit! Our classes are every Friday, through August 8th, except for July 4th.
Linda Peterson, BFRDP Coordinator lipeterson@ucanr.edu