Washington, DC, USA
July 15, 2026 

Yesterday, Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Greg Casar (D-TX) introduced the Fair Seeds for Farmers Act. Over the past few decades, the continued consolidation of the seed industry has driven up costs for those who grow food and those who buy it at the grocery store. The future of sustainable and organic agriculture and local, affordable, healthy food systems across the country – along with farmers’ ability to meet the challenges of climate change and food security – depends on reigning in corporate control of seeds.

“The hyperconsolidation and commodification of seeds have eroded farmers’ resilience and diminished the agrobiodiversity of crops cultivated in the US at an alarming rate. Farmers play an important role in seed development by nurturing adaptable seed varieties that can help create a more resilient and affordable food system – yet commodification has recently hindered farmers’ ability to participate in this essential first component of farming,” commented Nick Rossi, NSAC Policy Specialist. 

“The Fair Seeds for Farmers Act takes an important step in curtailing corporate abuse of US Patent Law and reaffirms farmers’ and researchers’ ability to breed, experiment, propagate, and save seeds without fear of retaliation from large seed companies,” added Rossi.

Specifically, the Fair Seeds for Farmers Act would:

• Limit the patentability of seeds to the Plant Variety Protection Act and the Plant Patent Act. This applies to all pending and future patents, but existing patents are unaffected.
• Prevent corporate seed companies from limiting researchers or farmers from breeding, experimenting, propagating or saving seeds – including through burdensome contracts.
• Defines certain breeding specific terms under federal law to ensure the integrity of IP claims for seeds and plants.

Read more about the Fair Seeds for Farmers Act here.

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About the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is a grassroots alliance that advocates for federal policy reform supporting the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. 

Learn more and get involved at: https://sustainableagriculture.net