Hampton Bays Nonprofit To Show 'Seed' Documentary

Seeds are among the most vital things in the world for human survival. Some of the most common foods consumed in America trace back to a handful seeds—including soy, corn, and wheat.

But over the past century, biotech companies have expanded their market share of the seeds used by farmers in the Corn Belt and across America, leading environmentalists to worry about the future of the country’s food diversity.

Marc Fasanella of Hampton Bays, who started the nonprofit Ecological Culture Initiative last year, said he is concerned about the health issues that could come along with biotech companies taking over control of seeds.

“That’s the threat,” Mr. Fasanella said. “The risk is that by having this sense of ownership over seeds, and patenting seeds, and making only certain seeds available—it’s bad for the ecosystem and our health.”

To raise awareness of the issue, the Ecological Culture Initiative is organizing a showing of the film “Seed: The Untold Story” in Hampton Bays. The documentary tells the story of farmers, scientists, lawyers, and indigenous seed keepers who are fighting to defend the earth’s food. Throughout the film, the characters rekindle a lost connection to the Earth’s most treasured resource—seeds—and revive a culture connected to seeds, according to the filmmakers.

After the screening, experts will speak about the issue and answer questions.

The film will be shown on Thursday, January 19, at the UA Hampton Bays 5 movie theater on Montauk Highway. Tickets cost $11 and can be purchased at https://gathr.us/screening/18759.