Last edited 8:19 a.m., April 13, 2011The owner of the Mansfield-based Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. LLC, who has joined a group of 60 farmers, seed businesses and organics organizations in a suit challenging the patents of seed-giant Monsanto Co., will speak at 1 p.m. April 15 at Mama Jean’s Natural Market, 1110 E. Republic Road. The suit questions Creve Coeur-based Monsanto's ability to claim patent infringements on its genetically modified products.
Jere Gettle, a supplier of heirloom seeds to the natural foods store, is among a group of speakers for a vendor meet-and-greet, called Eat, Think and Drink Local, that will run noon-3 p.m.
“It’s designed to bring awareness and support for local growers and vendors,” Susie Farbin, co-owner of Mama Jean’s, said, adding that representatives from Millsap Farms and JB Kobe Farms will be among the vendors speaking.
Farbin didn’t know if Gettle would specifically address the suit that was filed in a Manhattan federal district court on March 29, but felt certain he’d be willing to address audience questions. She said this is the first event Mama Jean’s has held to highlight the local growers and vendors from the Springfield area.
Vendors planning to attend are:
- Milsap Farms;
- Oovvda Winery;
- Whispering Oaks Vineyard-Winery;
- Crown Belly Beer;
- JB Kobe Farms;
- organic fertilizer supplier Seth Entwhistle;
- Katie Made Marshmallows; and
- emu-oil distributor Backcountry Naturals.
On March 29, New York-based Public Patent Foundation Inc. filed suit as a pre-emptive strike to strip away the patent privileges of Monsanto and prevent the company from suing farmers who avoid using its gene-altered products.
Baker Creek spokesman Jerry Orton said a judgment in its favor was vital to the future of the organic and pure foods movement.
“Not only do large companies control the majority of the seed market in the United States and much of the world, they are also, in our opinion, taking actions against small farmers that have no validity,” Orton said. For example, Orton said if an organic farmer is downwind of a farmer who uses genetically modified or transgenic seeds, and those organic plants are contaminated by those that have patent protection, the organic farmer is at risk for litigation.
Gettle, who did not return calls for comment by deadline, is expected to speak about “food security, local food sources and government moves that may adversely affect small farmers,” according to Mama Jean’s co-owner Diana Hicks.
For more information about the lawsuit, read the April 18 edition of the Springfield Business Journal.[[In-content Ad]]