Simply put, organic seed comes from organic farms. When your customers ask you for organic seeds they have two goals in mind: one is to support this farming method in order to increase demand for it; and the other is to complete the organic cycle by using the seed to organically grow their own garden and consume the produce.

Organic farming uses integrated pest management methods, such as crop rotation, compost and green manure for crops and pastures. One important goal is to restore the natural balance of land that has been damaged by decades of use of manufactured fertilizers and pesticides, plant growth regulators (hormones) and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Organic agricultural methods are internationally regulated and legally enforced by many nations. In 1972, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) was established to give the international farming community a uniform set of standards. IFOAM defines the goal of organic farming as:

“Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved.”

The US Department of Agriculture is the regulating agency here. Every region in the US has certification agencies for farms that enforce the requirements of the USDA National Organic Standards. You will see their mark on every packet in our Organic line. As a seed wholesaler, Livingston Seed is thoroughly inspected every year in order to maintain our status. Our mission is to search out the best growers and provide you with the best seed possible.