China sends unidentified, unsolicited seeds to Vermonters

By Guy Page on August 3, 2020

Don’t plant them, report them, VT Agency of Ag says

July 28, 2020 -The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) has been notified that several Vermont residents have received unsolicited packages containing seeds that appear to have originated from China. The types of seeds in the packages have not yet been identified. Unsolicited seeds could be invasive species, could introduce diseases to local plants, or could be harmful to livestock.

At this time, it is unknown what types of seeds are being delivered. There is concern that if germinated they could wreak havoc on the environment, displace or destroy native plants and insects or disease could severely damage crops. Taking steps to prevent introduction is the most effective method of reducing both the risk of invasive species infestations and the cost to control and mitigate those infestations.

Here’s what to do if you receive unsolicited seeds from another country:

1) DO NOT plant them. If they are in sealed packaging do not open the sealed package.

2) This is known as agricultural smuggling. Report it to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets at 802-828-5050 or fill out a complaint form at https://agriculture.vermont.gov/form/environmental-complaint-form. Maintain the seeds and packaging and VAAFM staff will contact you. The seeds may be needed as evidence.

The seed packets may look like this:

Photo credit: Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

* * * * * *

ANALYSIS: Provoking pro-police crowd part of protesters’ plan

Last Saturday, I witnessed one of the great modern dramas that are now playing out in the streets of America every day. Only I didn’t know what it was that I had witnessed—until a Twitter post opened my eyes.

This epiphany made me realize that there is nothing random or spontaneous about the “peaceful protests” we see on the nightly news. None of the riots that incite violence, looting, and vandalism are “our youth expressing their frustration,” as our liberal governors and mayors would have us believe. – Shannara Johnson

LETTER: No Emily, Vermont doesn’t need a state bank

We do not need another state run organization. We need to pare down the state government we have now. Emily, thank you for running, but we do not need any more socialist agendas in the foreseeable future. The need to return to government by the people and for the people is needed more now than ever. – Madeline Kerstetter