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Re: Increase in Seed Prices (OUCH!)

It is too bad that many of us will be suffering the costs of increased seed prices. As mentioned earlier these prices are probably due to increased demand (hurrah) for more lands set aside into grasslands, and native species at that! We are restoring 70+ acres in sand prairie and 40+ acres in oak savanna for the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly (KBB). The KBB population on our property is considered the fifth highest density in the state of over 200 sites and we are blessed to be surrounded by several other significant KBB populations on state and private lands.  We are working directly with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Wisconsin DNR to rehabilitate several relics and combine them in this restoration. We have been provided assistance for the purchase of seed from commercial producers when not available in large quantities from local relics. The USFWS handles all restorations through their "Partners for Wildlife Program" and the Wisconsin DNR through their "Ac!
res for Wildife Program".  We sincerely believe in what we are attempting to do for not only the KBB but a whole array of rare native species and that of all of you who believe that networks of land set asides are the key to conserving our grassland nesting birds, rare grassland and savanna insects, and the fascinating native plants. We have recently been selling seed collected from our restoration which represents over 200 species from 38 local relic sites. We are maintaining  our prices below the average retail prices of a collection of native seed retailers located in Wisconsin to make these native seeds available to more people and to hopefully encourage others to attempt what we all believe in, land without blacktop and concrete. If we don't sell our annual inventory, regardless of the size of the crop, we are obligated to plant it up on more lands available to us for seed production.  If anyone is interested in our restorations or our seeds you can contact us at the:  Wa!
upaca Field Station, E110 Emmons Creek Road, Waupaca, WI 54981.   
 restorations, especially during the growing season. Although, the colors and transition of autumn can be just as pleasurable to the eyes and soul as the blooming periods, we are busy collecting seed and putting our prairie to bed for the winter. Come and enjoy! Good luck with all your own projects. Bob Welch and Debbie Martin
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> At 03:56 PM 10/6/97 -0400, Richard Kamus <rkamus@trends.ca> wrote:
> >
> >There is a distinct difference between an ethical rise in prices which
> >reflects cost and other reasonable increases,
>
> Wow, you can buy stuff at cost-plus?  Wish I could do that.  Most
> stores and suppliers I know charge at whatever the market will bear,
> which explains why a can of Coke made of six cents of materials
> costs $3 in the hotel robo-bar.  And I had no idea that prices
> were determined by *ethics*!
>
> >Barter, of course, is the
> >wonderfully ethical enemy of greed and demand.
>
> You mean with barter, I wouldn't think that one thing was more
> valuable than another, that a pound of thistledown was just as
> nifty as a pound of columbine seed?  Or that two honest people
> might never disagree about the swap-price of something?  It doesn't
> matter whether you're using barter or cash, price is determined
> between a buyer and a seller.
>
> > No one has ever offered me a raise similar or anywhere near the
> >rise in the prices of these prairie seeds.
>
> I haven't seen enough evidence.  One anecdotal report of the price
> of bluestem isn't enough, is it?  Was this a wholesale or retail price?
> Is this a regional phenomenon?  Anyone else care to post their
> local prices, or help to explain this alleged increase in prices?
>
> >I would not buy products from a person espousing your attitude.  I helped
> >save many a family farm in my time.  I hope yours was not one of them.
>
> Why, thanks, but it wasn't.  I bought my own family farm, rescuing
> it from bankruptcy in the hands of another family farmer.  That's a
> nifty set of ethics you have there, only wanting to help people who
> say things you agree with.  Or that purchasing something entails a
> full-scale investigation into the seller's attitudes.
>
> CarmenTK@aol.com wrote:
> >Let's be gentle with each other.
>
> Flames aside, good sentiments there.  I'll agree to be kind to the
> seed suppliers, and not call them greedy if indeed the prices are
> higher next summer.  I'll be happy to get the seed from anywhere.

>
> - John
>
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