Organic Growers Challenged to Embrace Organic Seed at OGS

A diverse panel advocated for the increased production and adoption of organic seed during the Challenges of Organic Seed Production session at the Organic Grower Summit (OGS) held in Monterey, California, two weeks ago. 

While regulations for other aspects of the USDA organic certification process are quite strict, using organic seed remains a less stringent aspect of certification. The USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) requirements do state that producers "must use organically grown seeds, annual seedlings, and planting stock"; however, the law has multiple exceptions, including the allowance of conventional seed in cases where organic seed is not commercially available.

Zea Sonnabend, an organic farmer at Fruitilicious Farm in Watsonville, California, provided behind-the-scenes insight into organic seed production’s relationship with the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Sonnabend worked on the team that developed California’s original organic regulations, which then inspired much of the national certification standards, she said.

Zea Sonnabend, Organic Farmer, Fruitilicious Farm

The original intent, explained Sonnabend, included a gradual tightening of regulations around organic seed to help the seed industry develop and grow alongside the overall organic industry. However, the regulations’ initial wording included language that provided an exception for farmers who could not source organic seed in the “form, function, and quality that was required for production,” said Sonnabend.

Now policy advocates are working to try and undo the unexpected hurdles presented by the initial wording of the NOP’s organic seed regulations, said Sonnabend. “It is the intent of activists and regulators in the seed world to try and strengthen these recommendations to encourage the use of more organic seed,” she said.

In spring 2019, recommendations to NOP from the NOSB included one to strengthen organic seed guidance. The NOSB has made more than 600 recommendations regarding organic standards since its founding in 1992. This joins similar recommendations from 2005 and 2008 but includes an emphasis on continuous improvement for the first time—a “founding principle of organics,” said Sonnabend. The recommendation received unanimous approval from the NOSB but joins dozens of other approved recommendations on the to-do list, said Sonnabend.

“It is the intent of activists and regulators in the seed world to try and strengthen these recommendations to encourage the use of more organic seed." - Zea Sonnabend

Regulatory pressure helped boost the organic seed market in Europe, said Jared Zystro, research and education assistant director at the agricultural advocacy nonprofit Organic Seed Alliance. But demand for organic seed in the United States is low, he said.

Jared Zystro, Assistant Director of Research and Education, Organic Seed Alliance

“There is real interest in growing the organic seed market but the challenge for seed producers is the demand side,” Zystro said. “If we want to see investment in the needs of organic growers, we need to see some increased uptake in organic seed among growers."

Through the 5-year process of publishing Organic Seed Alliance’s 2022 State of Organic Seed report, Zystro noted the most room for opportunity existed in vegetable farms of more than 50 acres. “There is a lack of growth or decrease in use of organic seed among the largest vegetable farms,” Zystro said. 

Michael Willey, North America production lead at Bayer Crop Science, appealed to audience members to reach out and tell seed companies if they want organic seed. Breeding programs can take between 10 to 12 years to produce seed at a large scale, Willey said.

“We’re really hoping to partner with many of you and hopefully get into this space of producing organic seed if that is where you, our customer, are willing to go,” Willey said.

Michael Willey, North America Production Lead, Bayer Crop Science

Wholesum Chief Operating Officer Theojary Crisantes encouraged fellow growers to explore using or producing organic seed. Wholesum has grown organic peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, squash, and cucumbers in the US and Mexico since 1928 and began producing organic pepper and cucumber seeds in partnership with a Dutch seed company two years ago.

“There is a lack of growth or decrease in use of organic seed among the largest vegetable farms." - Jared Zystro

Crisantes described some of the drawbacks of growing seed, including getting adjusted to a one-time payment for seed versus the constant cash flow of growing vegetables. He also listed benefits of growing organic seed, such as the predictable, set prices for the crop and the rewarding relationships built with seed scientists.

“I encourage everybody to think about [organic seed] and be part of the solution,” said Crisantes.

Theojary Crisantes, Chief Operating Officer, Wholesum

Other benefits of growing organic seed include becoming exposed to the possibilities that lie within the genetics of each crop, said Zystro. Unique strains of genetics are frequently discarded because the market is not robust enough to support diverse varieties, he said.

“There could be varieties addressing your production challenges or opportunities for new markets that you could capture with unique colors and flavors,” Zystro said. “There could be a lot more options and more organic-tailored genetics if there was more investment.”

“I encourage everybody to think about [organic seed] and be part of the solution." - Theojary Crisantes

Using organic seed does matter, said Zystro. Organic seed reinforces organic integrity and standards while also maintaining trust with consumers, who believe organic produce comes from organic inputs, he said.

“Whenever there is a discrepancy between consumer expectation and the realities, it’s a risk point for everyone,” Zystro said.