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County agriculture commissioner warns residents about unsolicited seed packages; advises bringing packages to office
Summary
Calaveras County agriculture commissioner told the board unsolicited seed packets arriving in mailboxes are a national concern; residents were urged not to plant or burn them and to bring packages to the Agriculture Commissioner's office for cataloging and disposal under USDA guidance.
The county’s agriculture commissioner and director of weights and measures briefed the board on a nationwide wave of unsolicited seed packages arriving in mailboxes and urged residents to avoid planting or burning unknown seeds.
"This is something weird. It's basically across the United States," said Jesse Fowler, Calaveras County agriculture commissioner and director of weights and measures. Fowler said packages appearing to originate from China have arrived in the county and warned the contents could include non‑native invasive species or plants toxic to livestock. "If you receive a package like that, please, please, please don't plant it. Don't burn it. Don't throw it out," he said, and asked residents to bring such packages to the county agriculture office so staff can catalog and dispose of them under United States Department of Agriculture disposal procedures.
Fowler said the county has posted more information on its website and social‑media channels and that residents may call (209) 754‑6504 with questions.
