PERCY SCHMEISER, MONSANTO & ‘SEEDS'

"SEEDS" is the title of a celebrated docu-drama by Anabelle Souter, retelling the true story of the legal battle between a Saskatchewan canola farmer, Percy Schmeiser and international bio-tech giant, Monsanto.

Percy in the 1990s

In the late 1990s, Monsanto Canada accused Schmeiser of patent infringement, planting their genetically modified canola seed without a license. Schmeiser fought back during a four-year legal battle that went to the Canadian Supreme Court. But that is not all that Schmeiser contested. Goliath mistakenly had intimidated David. Monsanto introduced GMO (genetically modified organisms) crops in 1996 in soya, corn, cotton and grapeseed (canola). Percy was a specialist in breeding and growing canola seeds and plants. He farmed his own organic seeds. Monsanto seed blew to his fields from neighbouring fields. Percy didn't desire Monsanto seed. Sure GMO seed came with promises of less chemicals, increased yields and greater nutrition. But Percy learned that GMO seeds required more chemicals and they dominated the fields and killed organic plants. Monsanto wanted a monopoly over the seed industry. Nonetheless Monsanto threatened Percy and was trying to take away his farm. The company succeeded with other farmers. Percy's view was that Monsanto was making a claim to own the seed that blew to his field, in fact to own all seeds. He questioned whether a gene can be patented and who owns life.

Eric Peterson in ‘Seeds'

The play is a Montreal based Porte Parole production. It features Eric Peterson (Corner Gas) as farmer Percy Schmeiser. It has received rave reviews. I want to see it. You should look for it too in your area. Here, locally, it can be see in January.

SEEDS

January 19, 2016 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Various Locations, Vancouver, BC Canada + Google Map

January 19 – 21, 2016 – Kay Meek Centre, West Vancouver

January 23, 2016 –The ACT Arts Centre, Maple Ridge

January 28 and 29, 2016  |  8:00pm
 Main Stage at the Surrey Arts Centre Box Office

Percy speaking at the University of New Mexico

Listen to Another Percy Moment

Another speaking engagement with Percy

Harvard Article on Genetically Modified Organisms

11 REASONS TO KEEP DRINKING COFFEE EVERY DAY

I have a new coffee travel mug.. keeps coffee hot a long time. Delish. Made me research the following. Keep drinking.

You can get more antioxidants from coffee than from anything else.

Not fruits or vegetables or anything else comes close.

Just smelling coffee could make you less stressed.

Coffee aroma changes brain proteins connected to stress.

Coffee could lessen the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Some studies reveal coffee drinkers are less likely to develop Parkinson's disease and some tests show coffee helps with movement symptoms of the disease.

NOT GOODBYE - A poem

 NOT GOODBYE

"Sixty-six years," he said,

As we stood with him to say goodbye

To Mom we thought. Not he. Instead

With truer view to live, to die

Dad spoke to her as though in bed

She lay waiting, apt to cry

Until his words reached her, tho dead.

"Good night sweetheart, I'll see you soon."

His love soothing our broken hearts

From somber notes to buoyant tune

He was master of language arts.

© Ron Unruh - Composed December 9, 2015 remembering a November 2008 evening when our family gathered with Dad after Mom died.

I’M A GLOBAL VILLAGER

I completed an online survey and discovered the following ...

YOU ARE THE FOLLOWING TYPE OF DOER

THE GLOBAL VILLAGER

It can strike you anywhere; that sublime moment, that feeling of complete connection with your surroundings, the dissolution of border between yourself and nature. The Global Villager turns mundane activities into hallowed rites, and is equal parts shaman, poet, and conservationist. You have always found a certain peace in solitude, a connection with the land, and a beauty in simplicity. You are fascinated with animals and comforted by the seasonal cycle. You like to build things and bear witness to new growth; you are independent and tranquil and you have come to cherish your time alone with your thoughts. You are a journal-keeper and an improviser, and a studied mindfulness permeates everything that you do. Your example and your methods hold up a mirror to society and help its members better understand how to truly live.

Synergistic Counterpart: Your meditative lifestyle is a study in how a single individual fits into the larger puzzle of society. Because your focus tends to be analytical and introspective, the Social Cartographer, who shows us the big picture and creates the vocabulary we need to understand it, can provide a perspective that rises above the tree line, and puts your work into a more objective context.

Patron Saint: Henry David Thoreau

Anthem: “Every Grain of Sand,” Bob Dylan