Thanks to the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department, as well as concerned community garden members and nearby organic farmers, all eight community garden plots in the Burlington area are GMO free! Another great step in the state, to protect our health and that of our farmers and gardeners.

If you are planning to garden in a community plot in Burlington and want to make sure that you are not purchasing GMO seeds and plants, just carefully read the seed packet labels and look for "not genetically modified" on the label or " certified organic". If buying plants at retail nurseries or farmers markets, ask the staff horticulturalists or farmer where their seeds/plants came from and if they can verify that they are not genetically engineered.
As of 2005, the majority of genetically modified plants and seeds are commodity crops-corn, soybeans, cotton and canola. Farmers who use these seeds are required to sign technology agreements with the corporations who have patented these crops-so for today, the likelihood of the community or home gardener buying GMO seeds is low.

Tomorrow may be a different story with multinational biotech corporations like Monsanto and Dupont testing genetically engineered home garden plants in plots across the U.S and abroad.

Knowing this, please read your seed labels and ask your nursery staff about the plants you are buying. It is your right to know!

Any additional questions, please email bayardl@hotmail.com
Happy Gardening!