Don't open seed packets

Carlton county land commissioner Greg Bernu is asking local residents who receive mystery seed packets in the mail to not open them. Instead, drop them off at Bernu’s office in the County Highway Building at 1630 County Road 61 in Carlton, and he will send them to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for inspection/destruction.

The MDA continues to receive reports of citizens getting unsolicited seed packages in the mail. To date, over 700 Minnesotans have made reports to the department.

The packages have contained a variety of seeds. Seed analysts with the MDA laboratory have identified some as cosmos, radish, mung bean, juniper, basil, cucurbit, and zinnia. While these are not seeds from invasive plants, seeds may carry disease, and pests can hide in packaging. So far, there is no indication these unsolicited seeds have gone through appropriate inspection or are properly labeled.

The MDA is working with the United States Department of Agriculture USDA on the issue. All seeds collected in Minnesota are being sent to the USDA for additional identification and destruction. Federal officials are investigating the source of the seeds, and the USDA is currently referring to the situation as a “brushing scam” where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales.