Spread the word! We have the nation's first Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified seeds
High Mowing Organic Seeds is proud to announce that we now offer the nation's first and only line of 100% certified organic, Non-GMO Project Verified seeds!
This has been a long journey, one that started for us six years ago, and which we are pleased to say is now complete. When the Non-GMO Project first asked us to provide support in developing standards for seed production, we knew we would push for the most stringent standards possible. We’ve always been certified organic, but with so many new GM (genetically modified) crops on the market, we knew we had to do more to protect the integrity of our seeds. So we began the process of Non-GMO Project Verification.
What are GMOs?
Genetically modified organisms (or GMOs) are varieties that have been created by adding genetic material from one species into the DNA sequence of another species, with the intention of introducing new traits. The result of genetic modification by laboratory methods is a combination of genetic materials that could never occur naturally. This is unlike traditional breeding, wherein pollen is moved between closely-related plants to produce controlled crosses of two individuals.
If Your Seeds are Organic, Why Verify?
GMOs are not allowed in certified organic production and we have never sold GM seeds. As new GM crops are grown experimentally or released to the general public, however, there is an increased risk of GM crops cross-pollinating organic crops and resulting in seeds with GM contamination; we verified our seeds as part of our process to mitigate these risks.
Through a combination of testing of stock seed, field isolation and inspection and harvesting and handling policies we focus on prevention of GMO-contamination in our seeds. All seed lots of corn, summer squash, soybeans and alfalfa are also tested to confirm that our preventative measures are working and to ensure that no contaminated seed lots will ever be sold. Our policy is that only seed lots with a detectable level of zero contaminated seeds in 10,000 seeds will ever be sold. This standard goes beyond what is otherwise required by the Non-GMO Project because we know our customers care deeply about High Mowing’s exceptional quality. Similarly, our germination and organic certification standards exceed the national requirement for the same reason. We are applying the same standards of prevention for all of our seed crops and are closely monitoring the ongoing risks posed by GMOs. Additionally, we are increasing our testing of other crops to ensure that they are also non-GMO, and all policies are reviewed and strengthened on an annual basis.
The Non-GMO Project is a third-party voluntary labeling system that helps companies develop procedures and testing protocols to avoid GMOs in their products. The Project has the highest standards in the US and not only examines the full supply chain but also facilitates testing for the presence of GMOs to validate the effectiveness of GM-avoidance procedures.
Safe, Healthy Seeds for the Future
It has always been our goal to provide seeds that are safe and healthy for people and the planet. We believe that consumers have a right to know what’s in their food and should be able to make informed decisions based on accurate labeling of food and the seeds used to produce food. To that end, we want to give our customers complete confidence that our seeds are tested and verified non-GMO. For us, it is also about protecting genetic resources so that they can be utilized by future generations for traditional breeding.
As one of the founding companies and a primary supporter of the organic seed industry, we feel it is our responsibility to raise the bar for all seed. At a time when GM crops are entering our food supply and wild ecosystems, it is more important than ever to preserve the purity of our seed resources. We are not willing to take any chances with our seeds—and we know you aren’t either. Providing our customers with an additional layer of safeguards against GMO-contaminated seeds helps ensure the future we want to see. An organic, non-GMO food supply should, after all, begin with organic, non-GMO seeds.
Categories: GMOs & About High Mowing Organic Seeds
Posted On: October 16 2014
Posted By: High Mowing Organic Seeds
14 Comments
Search
Recent Posts
Categories
- About High Mowing Organic Seeds
- Articles by Farmer Paul Betz
- Articles by Megen Hall
- Ask The Expert
- Beginner Gardeners' Guide
- Breeding / Research Program
- Commercial Growing
- Contests
- Covid-19 Updates
- Crop Talk
- Events
- Farm Ethics
- Farmer Authors
- GMOs
- Greenhouses
- Growing Tips
- Health and Wellness
- Kids and Gardening
- Philosophy
- Plant Diseases
- Plant Pests
- Recipes
- Seed Bin Article - 2011
- Seed Saving and Production
- Soil Health
- Story of a Seed
- Trials
- Uncategorized
- Variety Highlights
- Winter Growing
Archives
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- January 2008
Recent Comments
- Janet Kellar on Our Garden Starter Giveaway!
- vivorn sophamisay on Our Garden Starter Giveaway!
- vivorn sophamisay on Our Garden Starter Giveaway!
- vivorn sophamisay on Our Garden Starter Giveaway!
- Roseanna LaCourse on Our Garden Starter Giveaway!
My Wish Lists
Best,
Maarten