Gary Rinehart clearly remembers the summer day in 2002 when the stranger walked in and issued his threat. Rinehart was behind the counter of the Square Deal, his “old-time country store,” as he calls it, on the fading town square of Eagleville, Missouri, a tiny farm community 100 miles north of Kansas City.

The Square Deal is a fixture in Eagleville, a place where farmers and townspeople can go for lightbulbs, greeting cards, hunting gear, ice cream, aspirin, and dozens of other small items without having to drive to a big-box store in Bethany, the county seat, 15 miles down Interstate 35.

Everyone knows Rinehart, who was born and raised in the area and runs one of Eagleville’s few surviving businesses. The stranger came up to the counter and asked for him by name.

“Well, that’s me,” said Rinehart.

As Rinehart would recall, the man began verbally attacking him, saying he had proof that Rinehart had planted Monsanto’s genetically modified (G.M.) soybeans in violation of the company’s patent. Better come clean and settle with Monsanto, Rinehart says the man told him—or face the consequences.

Rinehart was incredulous, listening to the words as puzzled customers and employees looked on. Like many others in rural America, Rinehart knew of Monsanto’s fierce reputation for enforcing its patents and suing anyone who allegedly violated them. But Rinehart wasn’t a farmer. He wasn’t a seed dealer. He hadn’t planted any seeds or sold any seeds. He owned a small—a really small—country store in a town of 350 people. He was angry that somebody could just barge into the store and embarrass him in front of everyone. “It made me and my business look bad,” he says. Rinehart says he told the intruder, “You got the wrong guy.”

When the stranger persisted, Rinehart showed him the door. On the way out the man kept making threats. Rinehart says he can’t remember the exact words, but they were to the effect of: “Monsanto is big. You can’t win. We will get you. You will pay.”

Scenes like this are playing out in many parts of rural America these days as Monsanto goes after farmers, farmers’ co-ops, seed dealers—anyone it suspects may have infringed its patents of genetically modified seeds. As interviews and reams of court documents reveal, Monsanto relies on a shadowy army of private investigators and agents in the American heartland to strike fear into farm country. They fan out into fields and farm towns, where they secretly videotape and photograph farmers, store owners, and co-ops; infiltrate community meetings; and gather information from informants about farming activities. Farmers say that some Monsanto agents pretend to be surveyors. Others confront farmers on their land and try to pressure them to sign papers giving Monsanto access to their private records. Farmers call them the “seed police” and use words such as “Gestapo” and “Mafia” to describe their tactics.

When asked about these practices, Monsanto declined to comment specifically, other than to say that the company is simply protecting its patents. “Monsanto spends more than $2 million a day in research to identify, test, develop and bring to market innovative new seeds and technologies that benefit farmers,” Monsanto spokesman Darren Wallis wrote in an e-mailed letter to Vanity Fair. “One tool in protecting this investment is patenting our discoveries and, if necessary, legally defending those patents against those who might choose to infringe upon them.” Wallis said that, while the vast majority of farmers and seed dealers follow the licensing agreements, “a tiny fraction” do not, and that Monsanto is obligated to those who do abide by its rules to enforce its patent rights on those who “reap the benefits of the technology without paying for its use.” He said only a small number of cases ever go to trial.

Some compare Monsanto’s hard-line approach to Microsoft’s zealous efforts to protect its software from pirates. At least with Microsoft the buyer of a program can use it over and over again. But farmers who buy Monsanto’s seeds can’t even do that.

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Greetings:

Well, with the cooler temperatures and shorter days, Fall is on its way! Barn Bash '10, the farm's annual fall harvest celebration, will be on Sunday, September 26 from 1:30-4:00 PM RAIN or SHINE! Arcadia Way (Acoustic Folkgrass musicians) will be entertaining, starting around 2 PM. Family and guests are welcome to attend, but please RSVP to ruthie@greengardensfarm.com by Sept. 20 so we can plan accordingly. Click here for directions if you have not been to the farm before.

This is a big potluck! A farm-inspired dish is required for entry, preferably with a farm ingredient. There will be plenty of good food, music, and fun. No need to bring silverware, plates, cups, chairs, or pets. For those who haven't seen the farm, you will be welcome to walk around to view the crops growing in the field and high tunnel.

A $5-10 donation is encouraged to help the farm cover the costs of the band and putting on the party.

Hope you can make it!

Your Farmers, Trent & Ruthie

Photo from last year's Bash of the band seting up. Good people, music, and food followed.

Green Gardens can be found at the Kalamazoo Farmers' Market SAT with salad mix, garlic whistles, swiss chard, lettuce, green mustard, radishes, salad turnips, cilantro, and purple-top turnips. The hunt to find us will continue for a few more weeks, so keep your eyes open. We'll be there and happy to see you!

The tomatoes in the high tunnel look positively amazing. Some even have a few tomatoes on them! I still think we are looking at late June for the first tomato harvests! YUM! The salad mix and radishes also are looking incredible this week for the farmers markets in Richland and Kalamazoo, as well as for the online farm stand on Thursday evening. The farm now has a permanent spot at the Kzoo market on Bank Street. It is on the NE corner on the road side, right next to Maria's Victorian Bakery. We look forward to seeing you soon! Best, Trent

The first produce of the season will be for sale on Thursday at the farm. Order at the online farm stand on WED and pick up at the farm on Thursday night from 4-7 PM. We will have salad mix! Best, Trent