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This theme addresses sovereignty, commonly understood as supreme authority or the right of something to govern itself, in the context of seeds and food. “Sovereignty” is used here alongside justice to encompass a sense of autonomy with the fight for fairness and equity in seeds and food. “Borderless Seed Stories” seeks to uplift these missions of sovereignty through an exploration of how those things have been systemically depleted and how we might rebuild them.
Useful Terms
Useful Terms
Food Sovereignty
Food Sovereignty
Termed by La Via Campesina in 1996: the human right of all people to healthy, culturally appropriate, sustainably grown food, and the right of communities to determine their own food systems
Green Revolution
Green Revolution
The modernization of agriculture, based on the industrialization of farm input, occurring in the mid-to-late 20th century.
Seed Poetry
Seed Poetry
land that is nobody’s —
therefore, ours.
see our seeds being seeded
drive by the median and let the lemons drop
feed the hungry and curious in a few decades’ time
find yourself in the shape of the land slowly
being ceded and seeded by its foremothers
— Julian Creutz
Food Sovereignty
Food Sovereignty
“Food Rebellions! Forging Food Sovereignty to Solve the Global Food Crisis”by Eric Holt-Giménez and Raj Patel discusses the global food crisis at the time, pointing out that hunger is almost entirely a social problem and has been manufactured by companies motivated by profit above all. They discuss the Green Revolution, saying “Though credited for saving the world from hunger, the Green Revolution led to the monopolization of seed and chemical inputs by Northern companies, the loss of 90% of the South’s agricultural biodiversity, the global shift to an oil-based agricultural economy, and the displacement of millions of peasants to fragile hillsides, shrinking forests, and urban slums” (Holt-Giménez and Patel 24). In fact, the Green Revolution caused as much if not more hunger in the world as it claimed to solve.
Still, even with these disheartening realities of corporate greed and increasing injustice, much is being done to push for seed and food sovereignty and justice. La Via Campesina, for example, has been doing incredible work in these areas since 1993, organizing countless protests and holding membership in 81 countries around the world. More and more research is being done on sustainable organic farming methods and agroecology, and it has been found that a return to these methods (as proven by a 2007 study by University of Michigan researchers, who compared alternative and conventional agriculture in 293 examples from 91 studies [Holt-Giménez and Patel 107]) can produce just as much if not more food as we are currently producing, with a much more positive impact on people and the planet. Food Policy Councils are popping up around the country to advocate for food justice (including one right here in Washtenaw County!). There is much more work to be done, but the movement for seed and food sovereignty and justice is strong and proves that we have the power to change our circumstances.
A Shift to Seed Sovereignty: Seed Patenting
A Shift to Seed Sovereignty: Seed Patenting
“A Guide to Seed Intellectual Property Rights” by Paulina Jenney outlines the confusing and contradictory nature of seed patents and the creation of an oligopoly in the seed market resulting from the production of seed patents and genetic modification, powerfully stating “Today, just four companies control more than 60% of proprietary seeds worldwide”. This is confusing because seeds by their very nature defy patenting, as they reproduce on their own, leading to many small seed holders becoming fearful of planting seeds that might lead to retribution from major seed companies who claim to “own” certain seeds and even certain traits.
Jenney exemplifies this issue with the following scenario: a German company called Badische Anilin und Soda Fabrik (BASF), primarily dealing in chemicals, baselessly threatened local and regional seed companies, stating that if these small seed companies used ‘germplasm covered by one or more claims,’ it would be considered a violation of the company’s intellectual property rights, which is amoral, illegal, and untrue.
The actions of BASF are in direct opposition to seed sovereignty, not only claiming ownership of seeds, but also intimidating small companies and farmers from engaging with seeds in a way that may promote their sovereignty. The patenting of seeds and the consolidation of their purported ownership is a flagrant violation of the rights of smallholders, farmers, and others who steward seeds from being able to meaningfully and comfortably engage in their work, and also a violation of the seeds themselves and their autonomy. It is imperative to engage with local community efforts to share seeds and resist the expanding hold that corporations have on seeds.
Puerto Rico and Agroecology
Puerto Rico and Agroecology
In an exploration of Puerto Rican agriculture, Nina Lakhani covers the rise of agroecology in Puerto Rico, defined as “…low impact agriculture that works with nature and local conditions to produce food sustainably so as to protect biodiversity and soil quality while drawing carbon out of the atmosphere” (Lakhani). Puerto Rico, once a major agricultural hub, is now a net-importer of food, meaning the country imports more food than it currently grows to support its population. The agroecology movement seeks to change that.
Ian Pagán-Roig, founder of Josco Bravo project, a farm and school, asserts: “The agroecology revolution on the island is about psychological and social transformation to achieve food and political independence because it recognises our land and people as our most valuable resources.” As a social and political movement, agroecology directly supports the sovereignty of food and seeds, reaffirming the connections between land and people, people and seeds, and seeds and land that allow all of those things to flourish and thrive. Graduate student and member of El Puente: Latino Climate Action Network Marissa Reyes-Diaz asserts that agroecology “has always been a form of resistance against colonial capitalism,” and a way to push back against individualism through fostering connections between land, people, and seeds. Cooperative agroecology efforts in Puerto Rico and elsewhere allow communities to take agency over their food and seed systems that have been systemically depleted by colonial practices.
Interactive Activity: How to Get Involved
Interactive Activity: How to Get Involved
Food Policy Councils
Food Policy Councils
There are food policy councils instated all around the country. Many of them have meetings that are open to the public to attend, or opportunities to join and/or lead a committee!
Community Gardens
Community Gardens
Start, or volunteer with, a community garden! Community gardens are integral to protecting food sovereignty and providing food on a local level, and they are almost always in need of volunteers!
Shop Local
Shop Local
There are several shops and organizations that support local, national, and global food sovereignty efforts who would benefit from your patronage!
Some wide-reaching efforts to support include Ujamaa Seed Collective, Organic Seed Alliance, Seed Broadcast, and so many more! It is worthwhile to look into food sovereignty efforts to support in your community. Check to see if your community has a local seed library or seed keepers network to get involved in. Email UMSeedLibrary@umich.edu for help identifying seed libraries in your region.
Feel free to right-click the image above and hit "download" or "save" for a printable mini version of this Theme Exploration! Click here for a helpful tutorial for how to fold a one-page zine.
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