Jackson County Conservation District Issues Public Service Announcement Regarding Unsolicited Seed Packages

July 15, 2025

On July 15, 2025, the Jackson County Conservation District posted a Public Service Announcement on their social media page providing information and instruction regarding unsolicited seed packages from China. The Conservation District reported:

"There are once again unsolicited seed packages from China showing up at residences across the US, mainly on the east and west coasts. These unsolicited packages may contain invasive plant species, or seeds contaminated with nonnative plant diseases, pests, or pathogens that, if planted or otherwise introduced to the environment, may harm crops and ecosystems throughout the area. At worst, this could affect food production, natural resources, and rural economies. These packages are NOT believed to pose any risks to humans. Such incidents have happened multiple times over the last several years. In 2021, a federal investigation found that unsolicited seeds being distributed at that time were part of a “brushing” scam – something online sellers do to falsely boost their reviews and ratings.

If you receive an unsolicited package containing seeds:

· DO NOT plant them,

· DO NOT feed them to livestock, pets, or wildlife,

· DO NOT dispose of them outdoors, and

· DO NOT throw them away in the trash.

Instead:

· DO keep the seeds and packaging, including mailing label

· DO put all of this into a Ziploc bag,

· DO fill out an “unsolicited foreign seed” form, here, and

· DO mail all of this to:

USDA-APHIS PPQ

PO Box 475

Hebron, KY 41048

If you receive unsolicited seeds and want to send them to the USDA-APHIS location in Hebron, and you need assistance with the “unsolicited foreign seed” form, our staff can assist you with printing.

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