Several years ago in 2022, BYGL Published the following article:

Additional Information From ODA About The Mystery Seeds https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1658

The Ohio Department of Agriculture along with USDA_APHIS is asking Ohioans to please send in information on unsolicited seeds. Earlier this week the ODA distributed the release that included a BYGL Alert.

ALERT: Unsolicited Seed Packages: "Brushing Scam"

Several of our gardens have reported that their community members are receiving unsolicited seed packages falsely labeled as originating from their organization. This activity appears to be part of a broader "brushing scam," similar to those reported previously.

across the U.S., involving packages marked with foreign labels and unfamiliar seeds. To protect our local ecosystems and agriculture:

·Do NOT open or plant these seeds. They may contain invasive plants or harmful pests.

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·Keep seeds sealed in their original packaging.

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·Immediately contact your state plant regulatory official. You can find contact information here: National Plant Board State Contacts.

Your vigilance helps ensure the health and safety of our environment and agricultural communities. Please share this information with your networks.

The instructions are very similar to the ones before from APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ). The new addition to the instructions is for the submitter to send the following information:

pictures of the seeds

pictures of the shipping label/packaging

pictures of any other pertinent information, (i.e. invoice, labels/labelling on seeds, or other documents that may be in the package)

if PPQ is not in close proximity to collect material, ask the recipient to place seeds in a sealed bag and store in a freezer temporarily to determine if State Departments of Agriculture, county, etc. may be able to collect material.

The above information can be forwarded to: USDA-APHIS Ohio Director Rachael Brown at: Rachael.brown@usda.gov

This information can be collected and forwarded to the USDA-APHIS Ohio Office.

All of this is the current guidance we have and is subjected to change.

Seed that is sold in Ohio needs to be labeled correctly. Sample label

Ohio Department of Agriculture lists the following information on their website regarding seed that can legally be sold in Ohio:

Seed Labeler

A Seed Labeler Permit is required if you label agricultural, vegetable, or flower seed to be sold in Ohio. Separate permits for each name and address are required if a person labels seed under more than one name or at more than one address.

Permits expire each year on December 31 and are renewable with a $10 application fee.

Agricultural, vegetable, or flower seed sold in Ohio must have a percentage of germination test that was completed within:

12 months prior to sale, if the seed is not a cool season grass seed and not in hermetically sealed containers
15 months prior to sale, if the seed is a cool season grass seed or mixture and not in hermetically sealed containers
36 months prior to sale, if the seed is in hermetically sealed containers

The seed must also:

be labeled in accordance with sections 907.01 to 907.17 of the Revised Code;
contain no prohibited noxious-weed seed;
contain less than 0.25% by weight of restricted noxious-weed seed and less than 2.5% of all weed seed;
contain less than 15% by weight of inert matter;
be certified by The Ohio Seed Improvement Association (OSIA) if the seed is sold by a protected variety name.

Unlabeled seed falls outside of the above criteria.

After increasing reports of US citizens receiving packages of unsolicited seeds in the mail, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is again urging the public to report and submit any unsolicited seed packets to ODA in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine Office.

Lettuce Seeds Image

The USDA-APHIS and ODA are asking Ohioans who have received these unsolicited packages not to open, plant, or throw them away. Instead, citizens should report receiving seeds.

Cucumber Seeds Image

If APHIS determines the actual variety of seed, it may recommend the recipient proceed with the destruction of seeds and planted seeds:

USDA Preferred Option:

Voluntary Surrender of Material for Destruction

Surrender material to any PPQ Office. Contact your respective USDA State Plant Health Director for locations and options.
Other locations to consider include local State Departments of Agriculture or County Agricultural Commissioner’s offices.

Other USDA Approved Options:

Disposal Option for Seed Packages

Do not open the seed packet.
Completely wrap and enclose the packet with duct tape.
Place the wrapped seed packet in a zip-lock bag, squeeze out any air, and seal.
Place inside another zip-lock bag, squeeze out any air, and seal.
Fold over to reduce size and completely cover the folded bag with duct tape. This will help prevent the bag from bursting and will keep water and sun from reaching the seeds.
Discard in trash.

Destruction Option for Potted Seeds/Plants:

Remove the plants, including soil, and place inside a plastic bag. Use the thickest plastic bag available. Squeeze as much air out of the bag as possible and seal.
Place inside a second plastic bag. Squeeze as much air out of the bag as possible. Seal the second bag.
Dispose of the double-bagged plant material/soil into trash, do not compost.
Dispose of the planting container in 2 trash bags as described above (recommended).
If you wish to keep the container, remove as much soil as possible from inside the pot with a paper towel
Wash the planting container with soap and water to remove any remaining dirt. It's important to wash the container over a sink or other container to catch the run-off. Put the run-off down the drain or flush down a toilet.
Soak the planting container in a 10% bleach solution for 30 minutes and rinse.

Destruction Option for Seeds/Plants Sowed in Ground:

Remove the seeds or plants and at least 3 inches of the surrounding soil and place inside a plastic bag.
Squeeze out the air and tightly seal the bag.
Place the bag inside a second plastic bag, squeeze out the air and seal it tightly. Put the bag in the municipal trash. Do not compost it.

The frequency of unlabeled/unsolicited seeds is very low in Ohio at this point. Image

This may be a non-issue for most but to be safe, it takes all of us to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species.

Happy Gardening!