JWR:
My name is Tom Johns. I just read a letter in your blog that mentioned my company; Territorial Seed Company (TSC). With regards to your reader’s comment about “with the change in management” concerning Territorial Seed Company, he implied that there has been a recent change. The facts are that my wife Julie and I purchased Territorial from Steve in 1985. Steve founded Territorial in 1979, and operated TSC for five years, and Julie and I have had the company for 25 years now.
Also, the reader mentioned that we are decreasing the amount of Open Pollinated or Heirloom seed varieties that we sell. The truth in the matter is that since 1985 we have increased our Open Pollinated offerings by hundreds of varieties. In addition I think it’s important to note that at the time we purchased TSC, Territorial did not have a seed production program, nor did it really need one. But over the years good home garden varieties started to become discontinued from the world’s largest seed houses. This was primarily from consolidation of major seed companies. About 15 years ago in response to this loss of varieties, we started our own seed production program. Today, we have become a much more self-sufficient company, as 25% of all the vegetable seed we sell comes from our own certified organic seed farming operation.
In addition, we now also own Abundant Life Seed. Founded in Port Townsend, Washington this company sells only certified organic seed. For more information about our efforts you can learn more at:
http://www.territorialseed.com and http://www.abundantlifeseeds.com
– Tom Johns President, TSC
JWR Replies: Since that reader made some false assertions, I have removed the original post that Mr Johns mentioned.