At first glance, it seems like there’s not much to do in January. Although it’s 41F degrees right now, it won’t stay that way for long. Yesterday, we took a family walk to enjoy the sunshine.

Kelly and I are actually pretty busy right now. We’re planning our first year at the Farmers Market, so we are working on all the details that will result in tasty tomatoes and vibrant blossoms. It’s not terribly easy to get to that point, especially when you consider seed.

Seed catalogs are one of the joys of winter. It gives the mind a chance to imagine a green world instead of a white one. We spend many hours leafing through the colorful pages. A giant problem lurks behind the photos. Many of the seed companies are owned by or get their seed from companies like Seminis and Monsanto. Since we are opposed to genetic modification, chemical dependency and a host of other “agri-business” concepts, we need to identify the sources of our seeds before we order. It takes a little digging, but it’s worth the effort.

If you want to order seeds for your personal garden from a “safe zone,” try Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa. They specialize in preserving heirloom seeds, so you can find exciting food treasures that help continue a long line of human agriculture.