In the past few months, thousands of people across the country received mysterious packages of seeds in the mail from China.
The USDA now says the packages contain seeds for more than a dozen different plants including mint, morning glory, cabbage rosemary and sage.
Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer looks at the growing concern for a few in Siouxland as well.
Local extension experts once again say if you do happen to end up with the seeds do not plant them because they could be damaging.
Following segment appeared on "The Exchange", August 12, 2020:
2020 brought COVID-19, national unrest, and even an invasion of mysterious seeds from China.
In the past few months, thousands of people across the country received mysterious packages of seeds in the mail and we’re hearing about it hear in Siouxland as well.
Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer unearths the issue with a local gardener and spokesperson with
Woodbury County ISU Extension and Outreach. We start with Connie Reynolds who grows a huge garden at her home in northeast Nebraska.
The USDA says the packages contain seeds for more than a dozen different plants including mint, morning glory, cabbage rosemary and sage.
Connie Reynolds who lives in northeast Nebraska prides herself on a well-stocked garden.
“I plant lots of berries, sweet corn, watermelon, cantaloupe, peppers tomatoes, you name it; eggplant, cabbages, cauliflowers, Brussel sprouts and more.
The fruits and vegetables of her labor, all organic.
“I don’t use any chemicals at all.”
Since, Reynolds says she couldn’t find the seeds she wanted in stores during the beginning of planting season she turned to the internet for the first time. And, one package that arrived in early May seemed a bit seedy.
“I saw that is weird. It’s from China. I’m not going to plant those. I stuck them away and forgot about it. Luckily, I didn’t plant them.”
Reynolds wasn’t the only person in Siouxland seeing the seeds.
“It’s just another thing to add to the craziness that is 2020”
The Woodbury County ISU Extension Office says a master gardener who lives in their jurisdiction also received a similar delivery.
Here’s Public Relations and Communications Coordinator, Kevin Pottebaum.
“When she was opened the package that said earrings on the outside and when she opened we believe that morning. And some guidelines from the USDA.”
The USDA told people not to plant or eat the seeds. The agricultural agency then collected them for study. One suspected theory, isn’t based on science fiction or illegal activity, but economics for certain companies.
“The seeds are just a cheap item they can send out and boost their ratings on Amazon and other internet shopping sites.”
The packaging for Connie Reynolds' mysterious seeds says it contained a decoration. Inside, unidentified small brown seeds.
Reynolds is waiting for a mailer from the USDA to send them away.
“On Facebook people were saying there is a parasite. I think it’s the strangest thing that seeds come from China.”
Reynolds now focuses on the safe seeds she planted this year and the incoming harvest.
“Huge water melons, huge ears of corn, abundant tomatoes and more. I have tons of delicious foods and full of vitamins.”
