Don’t Plant Those Seeds You Received In the Mail

This afternoon I received a news release from the USDA that really caught my attention. It was "Unsolicited Seeds From China." The USDA's Animal and Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has been become aware that United States Citizens all across the Country have received seed packets from China that were unsolicited in the last few days.

APHIS is working with State Department of Agricultures and the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Boarder Security to prevent the unlawful entry of prohibited seeds into the United States. These laws have been passed to protect United States agriculture from invasive pests and noxious weeds.

Anyone who receives seed packages from China, don't throw them away or plant them to see what might grow. Keep the packaging, mailing label and call 1-844-2234, call your local Farm Service Agency office at the USDA Service Center or call the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as soon as possible.