Extension agent warns of mystery seed packages
While Arkansans are making adjustments to function productively during the COVID- 19 pandemic, other odd scenarios have occurred since the outbreak and spread of the virus.
Recently, there have been situations of people receiving usual items and packages in the mail.
For months, people have been very critical and concerned about receiving seeds from overseas such as China. For a while, these seeds have been a mystery and considered very critical to use due to its unfortunate status and effects.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is requesting Arkansans to let the department know if they received unsolicited packages in the mail.
Rachel Bearden, county extension staff chair of the U of A System, Division of Agriculture Hot Spring County Cooperative Extension Service, mentioned no one really knows where these seeds are from.
Because these seeds are a mystery, it is uncertain what type of result may happen if they are planted, Bearden noted.
"It is a scary thing. We don't know what they are, which is more of the reason why people need to turn them in so research can be done," Bearden said.
People in Arkansas have received packages of these seeds from a variety of different countries since the pandemic. Bearden mentioned there have been residents in the county that have received packages of seeds in the mail and a few bags have been turned into the HSC Extension Office.
"So far we have only had a hand full of seeds turned into the extension office. We keep identification confidential when
someone turns a bag into our office. We don’t want anyone to plant them, flush down the toilet, so research can be done on them,” Bearden said.
When these bags are turned in, Bearden mentioned the extension office contacts its government based office, the Arkansas Plant Industries Division, immediately for research.
Bearden noted, people receiving packages of seeds that they did not order should contact Arkansas Plant Industries Division at 501- 225- 1598, or by email: Paul. shell@ agriculture. arkansas. gov or Mark. stoll@ agriculture . arkansas. gov.
She feels it is important that these bags of mystery seeds be brought to the office to help protect residents from any dangerous issues it may cause.
According to information released by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture pertaining to these mystery seeds, cooperative extension service agents around the state mentioned residents in their counties have received the seeds and asked agents what they were.
Agents have been asked to place any seeds in a zip top plastic bag to send to the Arkansas Agriculture Department. It has also been noted, some of the packages were marked as containing jewelry. Others had no content description on the outside. Return addresses indicated origins in China, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Bearden added, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture has been made aware that private citizens in several states have received unsolicited packages containing seeds that appear to have originated from China. She added the Ark. Dept. of Agriculture noted, the types of seeds in the packages are unknown at this time and may be invasive plant species.
“We urge people not to plant them, but report them to us,” she said.
If anyone receives these seeds, Bearden said bags can be taken to the extension office in Malvern.
Due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, masks are required before entering the office. Bearden also said, there is a drop off box outside the office if anyone doesn’t feel comfortable entering the extension office. Bags of seeds may be placed in the drop off box after hours as well.
The extension office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a. m. until 4: 30 p. m.
For more questions, please call the extension office at 501- 332- 5267.