Mysterious seeds from China should be turned over to Department of Ag

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If you stay up to date with local, state, and national news, you’ve likely heard that random mailboxes are receiving unsolicited packages of unknown and unordered seeds from China. These packages possibly have Chinese writing included on the wrapping. The Georgia Department of Agriculture along with many other states and the United States Department of Agriculture are working to identify and prevent the spread of possible invasive plant species, which wreak havoc on the environment, destroy native species, and can severely damage agricultural crops.

If you receive packages that includes unsolicited or unordered seeds, you should not open a sealed package of seeds, plant them, trash them, or burn them! So, what should you do? Contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture at 229-386-3145 or simply mail the seeds to the Tifton Seed Laboratory at PO Box 1507, 3150 U.S. HWY 41 South, Tifton, GA 31793. If you choose to send the seeds to the seed lab, make sure you include your contact information. Questions or concerns should be directed to your county’s Extension office.