• Cascadia Seed Guild

  The True Value Of Seeds

  Posted by Mike on April 22, 2024 at 2:04 pm

  We will start this discussion off with a conversation with GPT4, as follows.

  What is the financial status-classification of plant seeds, for instance are they classified as an asset?

  “In financial terms, plant seeds can be classified as assets, specifically as inventory for businesses involved in agriculture, gardening, or retail sale of gardening supplies. An asset is anything of value owned by a business or individual that can be used to produce positive economic value.

  For businesses that deal with plant seeds, such as nurseries, farms, or garden supply stores, seeds are considered a current asset. This is because they are expected to be sold or used in the production of goods (like crops) within a year. In this context, seeds are part of the inventory that is bought and held primarily for the purpose of resale in the ordinary course of business. The value of this inventory is recorded on the balance sheet and can affect both the income statement through cost of goods sold and the cash flow of the business.

  For individual gardeners or non-commercial purposes, seeds could be seen more as a consumable item rather than a capital asset. They are purchased for personal use in gardens or small-scale food production and are not typically intended for resale.

  In either scenario, the way seeds are financially accounted for hinges on their intended use and the context of their owner, whether a business entity or an individual.”

  Thank you, in the case of a farm I assume they would be classified as an asset?

  “Yes, that’s correct! On a farm, plant seeds are indeed classified as assets, more specifically as a part of inventory. For farming operations, seeds are a critical component of the production process, where they are planted and cultivated to produce crops. These crops can either be sold, contributing to the farm’s revenue, or used within the farm for purposes like feeding livestock or as seed for future planting seasons.

  The seeds are accounted for as current assets because they are typically expected to be sold (through the production of crops) or fully used within a year. The cost associated with purchasing or producing these seeds is considered an investment into the farm’s operational assets, impacting financial statements through various costs and valuation adjustments until the crops are sold or consumed.”

  Is there any information on using seeds as a medium of exchange or a store of value?

  “The use of seeds as a medium of exchange or a store of value is a concept that harkens back to ancient times when agricultural products, including seeds, were used as barter items before the widespread use of currency. In modern contexts, while less common as a formal currency, seeds still hold significant value in certain systems and can function in similar roles, especially in community-oriented or localized economies. Here are a few ways seeds can be viewed in terms of economic and social value:

  1. Community Seed Banks: These are community-driven initiatives where seeds are collected, stored, and shared or exchanged among community members. Seeds in such banks serve as a store of value, preserving plant diversity and providing a buffer against crop failure, climate change, and loss of genetic diversity. Members can “deposit” seeds and withdraw them for planting in subsequent seasons.

  2. Seed Exchange Programs: These programs allow gardeners and farmers to exchange seeds, thereby diversifying their crops and sharing plant varieties that may not be commercially available. In these exchanges, seeds can be seen as a medium of exchange, where the intrinsic value of the seeds (genetic, cultural, or utility value) determines their worth in trade scenarios.

  3. Permaculture and Sustainable Practices: In permaculture, seeds can be considered both a medium of exchange and a store of value in the sense that they contribute to sustainable agriculture practices. Saving seeds from year to year reduces dependence on commercial seed suppliers, promotes biodiversity, and enhances food security.

  4. Economic Resilience: In regions where access to conventional banking is limited, or during economic downturns, seeds can represent a vital economic resource. They are a tangible asset that can be planted to produce food, thus serving as a buffer against food insecurity and economic instability.

  While not commonly used as formal currency in contemporary economic systems, seeds carry implicit value and can function effectively in systems where goods are exchanged more directly and locally. This ability to store genetic information and potential food production makes them a unique and powerful component of sustainable economic practices.”

  Mike replied 3 weeks ago 1 Member · 0 Replies
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