Good News for Seed Sharers

Rebecca Newburn has been a leader in promoting seed sharing and seed libraries.

Seed sharers can celebrate a new law, just signed by Governor Brown, that removes regulatory barriers which previously threatened seed libraries and other non-commercial seed sharing. The California Seed Exchange Democracy Act, an amendment to the California Seed Law, exempts non-commercial seed-sharing from the labeling, testing, and permitting required by commercial seed businesses. The new law promotes urban agriculture and access to nutritious food through its support for seed saving and sharing. Oakland’s Sustainable Economies Law Center partnered with dozens of state and local organizations to develop and advocate for this new law. Edible East Bay covered this issue in a feature story by Jillian Steinberger and a video by Scott Peterson featuring local activist Rebecca Newburn (pictured in the photo above by Scott Peterson). Special thanks to readers who voted for Scott’s video in the Edible Communities Eddy Awards competition, helping us win a Reader’s Choice Best Digital Award.