Plant Breeders and Keepers; Benefit Sharing and Royalties

Benefit Sharing and Royalties at Seeds

Indigenous Royalties

In 2018 we began paying royalties in recognition of the Native breeders and Seed Keepers of the past and present, whose varieties have endured and continue to sustain us here on Turtle Island. We are indebted to those keen eyes, practiced hands and seed relationships, so often overlooked. Fedco’s catalog is rife with references to probable Native provenances.

We will continue to pay royalties, this year for varieties that either hold a Wabanaki (from this bioregion) story or that have a tribal designation in the name. These royalties will go to Indigenous nonprofit Nibezun, here in Maine. According to Nibezun,

Nibezun resides on sacred Wabanaki land along the Penobscot River, where we celebrate culture as medicine, provide an inclusive space for healing, and promote sustainability for all people and future generations. Nibezun is dedicated to preserving and promoting all aspects of Mi’kmaq, Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Maliseet, and Abenaki ceremonies, traditions, customs, and language through practice and education. To advance this goal, we are deeply committed to the sacred, unbroken relationship between the People and the ancestral lands and waterways of the Wabanaki Confederacy. We believe that by working with our land and our cultural traditions, we can heal ourselves and promote healing in others, and in so doing we can heal the greater environment and recreate the symbiotic, reciprocal relationship with our Mother Earth enjoyed by the ancestors of the Wabanaki People.

In 2023:

• Fedco paid $9,379.50 in Indigenous Royalties.
• Customers donated an additional $836.60 to Nibezun from their refunds.

In 2022:

• Fedco paid $9,518.31 in Indigenous Royalties.
• Customers donated an additional $2,494.52 to Nibezun from their refunds.

In 2021:

• Fedco paid $9,307.86 in Indigenous Royalties.
• Customers donated an additional $3,843.31 to Nibezun from their refunds.

Black Benefit Sharing

When Black people were stolen out of Africa, torn asunder from their homelands and enslaved, they carried their seeds with them, to plant in new ground. Seeds: the memory and the culture of what was left and the hope of the future. Those plants became the basis of new food traditions in the Americas. The enormous debt for such a purloined treasure has yet to be fully acknowledged or repaid. As a small step, we’ve designated about a dozen varieties that originate in Africa, or are part of Black foodways, for Black Benefit Sharing. 10% of the proceeds from the sale of these seeds will go to the Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust for their work in helping farmers of color purchase their own farms.

2023’s benefit sharing totaled $1,051.80.

2022’s benefit sharing totaled $831.74.

2021’s benefit sharing totaled $1,491.09.

Breeder Royalties

For many years Fedco has been proactive in paying royalties to the current generation of “backyard breeders” whose varieties we purchase from other sources. We recognize the value of their work and appreciate that they are keeping these seeds in the Commons, available to all.

The label Breeder Royalties at the end of a variety description indicates we pay royalties to the independent breeder because they are not receiving income from our purchase of the seed.

In 2023 these royalties totaled $7,339.68.

In 2022 these royalties totaled $3,059.97.

In 2021 these royalties totaled $4,292.96.

Ω Independent plant breeders

Continuing a long tradition of adapting varieties to local tastes and conditions, independent plant breeders are the backbone of culture. For the most part eschewing plant patents, their work is their reward. Fedco is committed to buying seed from small breeders to give economic support to their work. Though we can find cheaper seed elsewhere, we prefer not to compromise on quality or ethics. We hope you agree—by purchasing seed from Independent Breeders.

Seed Farmers Resilience Fund

The growers who produce the seed we sell are vitally important to Fedco and to the thousands of gardeners and farmers who plant these seeds each year to feed their families and communities.

In 2022 we created the Seed Farmers Resilience Fund to help our seed farmers who are facing crop and livelihood losses due to climate disruption. The money comes from you, our customers, via two sources: through donations made when you place your Fedco Seeds order, and from purchasing our annual pay-what-you-wish item. For 2025, we've selected Packer’s lima bean!

In the spring of 2024, we had $9,142.03 in the fund to distribute to seed farmers. We invited farmers challenged by weather, natural disasters, or other issues beyond their control, to apply. There are no stipulations on how farmers use the money; our goal is simply to soften the blow of a difficult season.

The funding cycle was very competitive, with requests totaling more than $72,000. We were able to share funds with eight of our seed growers across the country. While we are saddened by the vast unmet need for additional support many of our farmers have, we are also heartened by the positive feedback we’ve gotten from both customers and growers about this fund.

One recipient in western Nebraska used the money to help repair a greenhouse that had been decimated by a tornado. “Experiencing the tornado left us awestruck!,” they wrote. “For a while we thought about trashing the greenhouse, but it had electricity and water to it and it seemed such a waste. Rebending the pipes back into shape and seeing the hoophouse back in use was strengthening for us as farmers. It cost around $2,700 to get it back in shape but it gave a necessary mood uplift to be able to untwist the gnarled pipes to a usable shape in time for us to honor our contracts! We are very grateful for Fedco’s team spirit of generosity toward farmers with this Resilience Fund!”

To help sustain the symbiotic relationship between our co-op and our network of seed growers, consider contributing to the Seed Farmers Resilience Fund when you place your Fedco Seeds order.

Benefit Sharing and Royalties at Organic Growers Supply

Indigenous Royalties

Indigenous Royalties— A few years ago, Fedco began to pay a portion of our seed sales of certain varieties—like Hopi Blue corn and Jacob’s Cattle bean—to Nibezun, a Wabanaki project here in Maine that is working to rematriate Penobscot land and to create dialogue on healing throughout the extended community. Our Indigenous Royalties program is one small way to appreciate and recognize the native breeders and seed keepers whose varieties have endured and continue to sustain us here on Turtle Island. In 2021, we extended the program to our Organic Growers Supply and Potatoes, Onions & Exotics catalogs, and began paying royalties for varieties that bear Native American names. Search for OGS items receiving Indigenous Royalties.

Benefit Sharing and Royalties at Potatoes, Onions, and Exotics

Indigenous Royalties

Indigenous Royalties— A few years ago, Fedco began to pay a portion of our seed sales of certain varieties—like Hopi Blue corn and Jacob’s Cattle bean—to Nibezun, a Wabanaki project here in Maine that is working to rematriate Penobscot land and to create dialogue on healing throughout the extended community. Our Indigenous Royalties program is one small way to appreciate and recognize the native breeders and seed keepers whose varieties have endured and continue to sustain us here on Turtle Island. In 2021, we extended the program to our Organic Growers Supply and Potatoes, Onions & Exotics catalogs, and began paying royalties for varieties that bear Native American names. Search for potato varieties receiving Indigenous Royalties.

Benefit Sharing and Royalties at Trees

Indigenous Royalties

A few years ago, Fedco began to donate a portion of our seed sales of certain varieties—like Hopi Blue corn and Jacob’s Cattle bean—to Nibezun, a Wabanaki project here in Maine that is working to rematriate Penobscot land and to create dialogue on healing throughout the extended community. Our Indigenous Royalties program is one small way to appreciate and recognize the native breeders and seed keepers of the past whose varieties have endured and continue to sustain us here on Turtle Island.

Three years ago, we extended the program to our Trees catalog by donating royalties from any plant that bears a Native American name. We recognize that Waneta plum, for example, was given a Sioux name by a white person. These plants were likely named without permission. While this practice continues in the nursery trade, it is a not something we embrace. At the same time, we can appreciate a plant as an innocent third party, inherently independent of language and names and holding merit in our landscape.

Long before breeding stations and universities, there were Tree Seed Keepers. Many of our named cultivars likely carry the genetics of the old trees tended long before European arrival. Where you see Indigenous Royalties at the end of our description, you will know we are dedicating 10% of our sales of these plants to Nibezun.

In 2022 Fedco paid $9,518.31 in Indigenous Royalties (Seeds $1,718.70, Trees $5,563.34, and OGS/ POE $2,236.27).