The Root Of The Conflict: 5 Shocking Controversies That Rocked Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

The world of heirloom gardening, often seen as a peaceful haven of sustainability, has a dark side, and at its center is Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. For years, the Missouri-based company, founded by Jere Gettle, has been a dominant force in the rare seed market, but a series of high-profile controversies have cast a long shadow over its mission. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the company is still navigating the fallout from a major blunder involving a genetically modified (GMO) tomato, adding to a long list of cultural and political disputes that have led many gardeners to question their loyalty to the popular brand.

The allegations against Baker Creek are not just about business; they touch on core issues of ethics, cultural appropriation, and political alignment, making the debate surrounding the company a microcosm of larger battles within the modern food movement. This deep dive uncovers the most significant controversies that have defined the company's public image.

The Controversial Figures Behind Baker Creek: Jere Gettle and Family

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, also known as Rare Seeds, was established by Jere Gettle, a self-taught seed enthusiast who began collecting and selling seeds at a very young age. His personal and professional life is intrinsically linked to the company's public identity.

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• Name: Jere Gettle
• Role: Founder and Owner of Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company (Rare Seeds)
• Born: 1980s (Exact date often unconfirmed in public sources)
• Location: Mansfield, Missouri, USA
• Company Founded: 1998
• Spouse: Emilee Gettle (Co-owner and active in the business)
• Family: Jere and Emilee Gettle have several children, including both biological and adopted children.
• Public Image: Known for his dedication to preserving heirloom and rare seed varieties, traveling globally to source seeds, and publishing the popular, free Baker Creek seed catalog.
• Controversy Link: His strong personal views, political affiliations, and company's communication style have been central to many public disputes.

The 2024 GMO Purple Tomato Scandal: A Non-GMO Nightmare

The most recent and perhaps most damaging controversy to Baker Creek’s core mission erupted in late 2023 and early 2024. Baker Creek has built its entire brand on a staunch, often aggressive, anti-GMO stance, promising customers 100% non-GMO, open-pollinated seeds.

Accidental Listing and Public Backlash

In their 2024 seed catalog, which is widely distributed and highly anticipated, Baker Creek listed a new variety called the 'Purple Galaxy' tomato. It was quickly revealed by the public and other seed advocates that the 'Purple Galaxy' was, in fact, the same as the new, commercially available genetically modified purple tomato developed by Norfolk Healthy Produce.

This accidental listing of a known GMO product was a catastrophic public relations failure for a company that aggressively markets itself as the antithesis of biotech agriculture. The error directly contradicted their core promise to gardeners.

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The Company's Defensive Response

Instead of a straightforward apology, Baker Creek’s response was highly defensive, described by some as a "tantrum." In a long Facebook post, the company suggested they had been "hoodwinked" by their supplier, implying the GMO seeds were intentionally slipped into their inventory. They removed the listing from their website and issued a statement, but the damage was done. Critics pointed out that a company dedicated to seed purity should have rigorous testing protocols to prevent such a fundamental error, especially given their outspoken position on GMOs.

Allegations of Seed Appropriation and Cultivar Renaming

A long-standing ethical issue surrounding Baker Creek involves their seed sourcing practices, specifically accusations of "seed appropriation." This controversy centers on the claim that the company rebrands and resells seeds without proper credit to the original, often indigenous, cultivators.

Critics allege that Baker Creek has a history of taking established cultivars, particularly those with deep roots in Indigenous or non-Western cultures, and renaming them to be sold under their "heirloom" label, effectively erasing the intellectual property and cultural history of the original growers.

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This practice is viewed as highly unethical within the seed-saving community, which values the preservation of seed lineage and the recognition of the people who developed them. The company has been accused of denying the indigenous origins of certain seeds, an act that undermines the work of smaller, culturally focused seed banks.

Political Alignment and Controversial Speakers

Beyond seed ethics, Baker Creek has repeatedly faced intense scrutiny for its political and ideological leanings, which many customers find incompatible with the progressive values often associated with the organic and heirloom gardening movements.

• Right-Wing and Ideological Accusations: The company has been labeled as "right-wing" and "Christo-fascist" by some, based on perceived political stances and social media messaging.
• The Cliven Bundy Incident: Baker Creek invited and then un-invited controversial rancher Cliven Bundy—known for his armed standoffs with the federal government—to speak at their annual Heirloom Festival in Santa Rosa, California. This move drew significant criticism and highlighted the company's willingness to associate with polarizing political figures.
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Association: Jere Gettle has also associated with and hosted other controversial public figures, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., further cementing the company's image as one aligned with anti-establishment and politically charged views that alienate a large segment of their customer base.

These associations have led to boycotts and a fierce debate among gardeners over whether it is possible to separate the quality of a company's seeds from the politics of its owners.

Business Practices and Customer Service Issues

While the cultural and political controversies garner the most media attention, Baker Creek has also faced significant criticism regarding its fundamental business operations and customer service.

The company has an "F" rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a rare and serious indictment for a company of its size and reputation. Furthermore, on popular gardening forums like Garden Watchdog, Baker Creek has accumulated over 100 negative ratings and numerous complaints.

Common complaints often revolve around:

• Order Fulfillment: Delays in shipping and incorrect orders, particularly during peak season.
• Customer Service: Difficulty in resolving issues, with customers citing poor responsiveness.
• Seed Quality: While known for variety, some customers have reported issues with germination rates, leading to frustration.

These operational failures, combined with the ethical and political controversies, have created a perfect storm of negative publicity, making the decision to purchase from Baker Creek a complex ethical choice for many contemporary gardeners.