us govt free seed? Nope.

[wazzappenning]

spotted this on the net. in the comments roddy? says the govt ships out free seeds, but never came back to give details. this is a few years old, but anyone ever heard of this?

http://www.howtogrowstuff.com/how-to-grow-tobacco/

i was going to plug this site as comments seem to still be open (i think) but ill let an admin with better site promoting skills do it.

 

[Jitterbugdude]

Re: us govt free seed?

The Government used to send out free seeds but they were supposed to be for research purposes. A lot of people on this site had obtained seeds from them (GRIN). The funding for tobacco seeds has dried up so you can longer get them from the government site "GRIN" .You can however still obtain seeds for things like peppers, tomatoes, squash etc.

Edit: I should note that when I say "government" I mean the U.S. government

 

[FmGrowit]

Our seed bank will re-open at the end of this growing season. Not all seeds will be available for personal use as there are quite a few varieties that need refreshed first.

The most common and popular varieties will be available to all members.

Members who donate seeds to the seed collection and can verify their flower heads have been bagged, will have there choice of seeds on a first come first serve basis.

 

[SmokesAhoy]

After seeing deluxe's grow I think sacred cornplanter will be next years thing. This year is some high test cigar fillers which will be bagged for the bank (even tho I'm convinced I'm the only one growing in at least 10 miles).

We're really fortunate to have such a diversified bank when you think of it now that for all intents and purposes the grin is gone.

 

[Chicken]

i got mine bagged,

but i have no problem with being 5'th in line

EDIT; aint the gov, against tobacco?

yet give away free seeds,,,,,,silly gov, tricks are made for kids,

 

[FmGrowit]

Smokes,

Most home growers (as well as commercial growers) plant several varieties each season. The issue with bagging isn't one from cross contamination from another grower, but from ones self.

Now that the GRIN is shut down, what we have might be the last ever available...ever. Enough care can not be taken to preserve the strains.

 

[Tom_in_TN]

Now that the GRIN is shut down, what we have might be the last ever available...ever. Enough care can not be taken to preserve the strains.

Has the plug been pulled, officially? If not then someone, anyone, could go in, with guns a'blazin if necessary, to rescue the seeds trapped within the confines of the vault the 'politically correct' crowd has set up. Hey, call Bill Gates for seed. He has established the 'DoomsDay Vault' with lots of seeds supposedly to preserve them from the coming catastrophe.

 

[Jitterbugdude]

You can still request seed from GRIN, just not tobacco seed. The seed has to be for research. It's been 1 year since GRIN shut down its tobacco seed distribution due to lack of funding. A few more years and it will be a moot point as to whether or not you could get any. Tobacco is just such an evil bastard ( as seen through the Government looking glass) that I don't ever expect funding to be restored to allow GRIN the ability to distribute the seed.

FmGrowit's seed bank has now become extremely valuable.

 

[deluxestogie]

Nicotiana species have been, and continue to be used extensively for fundamental genetics research worldwide. It is certainly difficult for politicians and appointed government employees to take a stand in favor of anything having to do with tobacco. But given the clear importance of Nicotiana to basic research, it's not clear that it will be totally abandoned. My take is that limited funding will be restored to the ARS-GRIN Nicotiana program, but with more restrictive distribution policies. Time will tell. I'll see if I can learn the current status of the situation.

Bob

 

[Tom_in_TN]

Bob, you are the right man to keep up with making any 'official' contact with the good people in charge of the seeds. The funding could easily be restored and if it were restored that fact would not even make it onto the radar of 99.9% of the people. Far too many other strange happenings going on these days including the day-to-day political strife.

JBD has hit the nail-on-the-head, FmGrowit's seed bank is the model to follow. I can see the day when he forms a private, tax exempt foundation for the care and preservation of the seeds outside the government's control. There would be grant money available that could be stuck inside some important piece of legislation. Hey, you might even persuade Bill Gates, or others like him, to toss in a few dollars if it was a tax exempt foundation. There could even be grant money made available to growers who specialize in raising the plants for seed. The big question is how does someone get the seeds away from the current caretakers?

 

[FmGrowit]

If anyone has a specific variety in mind that they think is too important to be without, let me know why you think this and I'll put a list together.

I have a friend who owes me a favor...not that that's why I do favor...I'm just saying.

 

[trek]

I the south, my neighbor used to grow acres of tobacco. No free seeds. I wonder if you or anyone knows how Nicotiana quadrivalvis variant bigelovii does i the southern climate, where it rains 3 days a week. Also, does anyone try chewing indian tobacco? I wonder if it is stronger than twists. Trek.

 

[Tom_in_TN]

Your neighbor probably bought hybrid tobacco seed that grew well in his climate/location.

The term 'Indian tobacco' is highly subjective and it really doesn't tell us much of anything much to go on in order to give you a helpful answer.

 

[BarG]

Bob
Didn't you mention that you you had a contact afilliated with ARS-GRIN Nicotiana program at one time. I agree with you that the program may continue, for research but with different guidelines for distribution.

 

[deluxestogie]

Tim,
Yes. A week ago, I sent an email to two different people: one at NCSU (seed bank location) and one at the USDA (potential funding source). No response from either. But it's vacation time.

Bob

 

[SmokeStack]

I also sent out an email in regard to seed availability to the Plant Germplasm Program Specialist (Mark Bohning) on June 13, 2012. I have not yet received a response.

 

[deluxestogie]

There should be some news in about two weeks.

Bob

 

[SmokeStack]

There should be some news in about two weeks.

Bob

Any news yet? What are the chances of GRIN supplying tobacco seeds again. I want to grow Trabzon next year. Anyone know where I can get the seeds?

 

[deluxestogie]

No news yet. I don't want to pester the folks too much.

Bob