# Offensive Horticulture When a mommy flower loves a daddy flower, pollinators exchange their love letters; flowers create seeds together, which grow into baby plants. ...or an ameteur botanist reproduces a genetic clone from some "floor finds" at Walmart. ...or an entire plant is poached from Peru and shipped to a collector in Italy. ...or a farmer purchases seeds whose DNA is edited to resist cycles of new pests and newer pesticides. ...or a corporation synthesizes sacred biomaterials for pharmaceutical profits. ...or a college student grows felonious fungi in a dormroom closet. [^note]: Fungi are [_not plants_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungus) -- like, not even remotely close -- nor are [lichen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichen) (which are plant/fungi chimeras!). But language/law words are older than science words; "plants" sometimes means "stationary creatures" and sometimes means "Kingdom Plantae". In this series, I'll be using the definitions interchangably because I'm not a good writer. Anyway, plants are weird. Humans are weird too. 1. **Theft:** [Proplifting, Plant Piracy, and Dumpster Chocolates](/oh-theft) 2. **Poaching:** [Profitable Plant Propagation Prevents Poaching](/oh-poaching) 3. **Infringement:** [Seizing the Means of Re-Production](/oh-infringement) 4. **Colonialism:** [Kimba Syndrome](/oh-colonialism) 5. **Possession:** [Legalize Life (and Living)](/oh-possession) 6. **Trespassing:** [A Georgist's Guerilla Gardening Guide](/oh-trespassing) 7. **Activism:** [Further Reading](#activism) [^note]: I am neither a lawyer nor biologist. My only qualifications here are a mild interest in plants and a burning passion for ~~committing crimes~~ obeying the law. Please email me at [hello@taylor.town](mailto:hello@taylor.town) if you have any suggestions on how to improve this essay or evade prison (asking for a friend). --- ## Further Reading {activism} [^note]: Email me at [hello@taylor.town](mailto:hello@taylor.town) if you have any suggestions for how to make these lists better. ### Tutorials & Inspiration - [Grow a Vegetable Garden on a Broke Poor Budget](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyOk1Zh-_RI) - [Guide to Fermenting Every Single Vegetable](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZghX4Mrg7kw) - ["One Straw Revolution"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj7nrOjhMtk) - [What is Permaculture?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwobAJtfuDw) - [Make gallons of vinegar](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53h7LmFJBso) - [Best Vegetables to Grow in Containers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ybjXTEy9sM) - [Transforming a vacant lot into urban community garden](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf8pmI-CTxg) - [Natural Farming with Masanobu Fukuoka](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzs8iFGNdBo) - [Turn Your Lawn Into A Vegetable Garden](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shIfzNOcNvs) - [Start Seedlings from Paper Towel Method](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp0x6wisDgs) - ['Urban Garden' turns vacant lot into fruitful orchard](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbTVK1JA_EQ) - [She Grows 50% Of Her Groceries At Home](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O15KVPn36us) - [Propagate any Plant](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_taBmwyRSyc) - [Food Dehydrating Tips](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygE6PlbZKGA) - [The Guide to Lacto-Fermentation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u80eGi6pTso) - [Raising Backyard Chickens](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F79a92yg3U8) - [Transforming Vacant Lot into a Community Garden (Detroit)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMzTT7ZVAlw) - [Community garden built in Phoenix vacant lot](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4et19HI99WA) - [Grow your own Algae at Home](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlHwlMFuEE4) - [Learn Fermentation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94KhDUapXbQ) - [Empty lot transformed into a massive garden](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiSNWXfU7s4) - [Urban Gardening on Vacant Lots](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUC7Op4FVbc) - [Our 9 sqm backyard kitchen garden](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKF0ZcbIwfY) - [Vacant Lot Gardening](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Yz4mD_p-D0) - [Richmond woman transforms vacant lot into thriving community garden](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rScAtpkFsE) - [Designing a permaculture food forest](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjKzvvOA6Zg) - [I'm Growing my own Shiitake Mushrooms](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHL4OuJfRic) - [Grow an Indoor Survival Garden](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUGD0p-03Os) - [Guide to Proplifting](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhiwSYmT52w) - [Start a Community Garden](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiNo5T75E_k) - [Make a Monotub to Grow Mushrooms Indoors](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjfpEW5IHp4) - [Volunteers turn vacant lot into a community garden in Lincoln Heights](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1dNZEUAFXQ) - [Regenerative Agriculture on a Small Scale](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct3CL22RpTg) - [Gardening inside a garage grow tent](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reQhdZTuV0g) - [Quick Dehydrated Meals](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIgN-B6whiU) - [Grow mushrooms at home](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibkXqKe4ebE) - [Fukuoka Masanobu, Natural Farming](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKrYuKlsJkI) - [Germinate Seeds Fast](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1VtZ1vqo8s) - [Massively Productive Small-Scale Suburban Vegetable Garden](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XraLIgNfTc) - [Food Dehydrator Guide](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl4wTcCPJu0) - [Harlem Vacant lots to community gardens](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmoB8IkCaSw) - [Home Hydroponic Farm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWebs3ID6Hw) - [Planting seeds vs paper towel germination](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1o4_w1nin8) - [Grow Mushrooms From Uncle Ben's Ready Rice](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cZe1Og2tro) - [Save seeds](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gcWG3O4xc0) - [Make Compost](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxTzuasQLFo) - [Container Gardening On A Budget](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld6dLPDQXDI) - [No-till farm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYDy6hu57NE) - [Propagate Plants](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHiv1OvXGcI) - [Self-Sufficiency Tips](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acjpwIxZzlA) - [Making vinegars from scratch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9nfVu9zGxk) - [Raising Chickens](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuOd5_M9yDQ) - [Community Transforms Vacant Lot Into Garden](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6zL1OREBsQ) - [Backyard Garden](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qnp0IdAbDKo) - [Vacant lots into gardens](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZy9sHNfpD4) - [Tax breaks encourage Sacramento vacant lot owners to make their gardens grow](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NufLI8HxIs) - [Organize a Seed Swap](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx3TZVi0aH8) - [Permaculture Demystified](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnSAY7nWo8U) - [Milk, Honey, and Plants: All About Agriculture](https://www.bottlestore.com/milkhoneyandplantsallaboutagriculture) - [DIY Gardening Projects and Landscaping Ideas to Save Money](https://couponfollow.com/research/diy-gardening-and-landscaping-ideas) - [Composting 101](https://www.avasflowers.net/composting-101) - [The Basics of Flower Gardening](https://wizardpins.com/blogs/blog/the-basics-of-flower-gardening) - [Vegetable Garden Guide](https://grillio.com/blog/vegetable-garden-guide/) - [Urban Gardening on Small Lots: How to Grow Food While Protecting It From Wildlife](https://deerbusters.com/blog-and-tips/urban-gardening-tips) ### Cool Organizations | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | [American Community Gardening Association](https://communitygarden.org/) | promotes community gardening across the U.S | | [American Farmland Trust](https://farmland.org/) | works to save America’s farmland and promote sound farming practices | | [Biodynamic Association](https://www.biodynamics.com/) | promotes biodynamic farming practices | | [Bioneers](https://bioneers.org/) | champions innovative solutions to global environmental and bio-cultural challenges | | [Botanic Gardens Conservation International](https://www.bgci.org/) | plant conservation and biodiversity | | [CAFF](https://www.caff.org/) | advocates for family farmers and sustainable agriculture | | [Center for Food Safety](https://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/) | advocates for organic and sustainable agriculture, and opposes harmful food production technologies | | [Center for Plant Conservation](https://saveplants.org/) | conservation of endangered plants | | [Couchiching Conservancy](https://couchichingconserv.ca/) | protecting natural habitats and plant species | | [ETC Group](https://www.etcgroup.org/) | works to address the socio-economic and ecological issues surrounding new technologies | | [Earth Island Institute](https://www.earthisland.org/) | supports environmental activism and conservation projects | | [Earthjustice](https://earthjustice.org/) | environmental law organization fighting for the preservation of plants and natural resources | | [EcoFarm](https://eco-farm.org/) | promotes sustainable agriculture and supports farmers | | [Food Not Bombs](https://www.foodnotbombs.net/) | provides free vegan meals from rescued food | | [Forest Peoples Programme](https://www.forestpeoples.org/) | supports forest peoples’ rights to control their lands and resources | | [Friends of the Earth](https://foe.org/) | advocates for environmental and social justice | | [Gaia Foundation](https://www.gaiafoundation.org/) | works to secure land, seed, and water rights for indigenous communities | | [Global Greengrants Fund](https://www.greengrants.org/) | provides grants to grassroots environmental initiatives | | [IATP](https://www.iatp.org/) | promotes fair and sustainable food, farm, and trade systems | | [IIED](https://www.iied.org/) | promotes sustainable development and addresses environmental issues | | [IPPC](https://www.ippc.int/) | aims to protect cultivated and wild plants by preventing the introduction and spread of pests | | [IUCN](https://www.iucn.org/) | works to conserve nature and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources | | [Indigenous Environmental Network](https://www.ienearth.org/) | advocates for environmental and economic justice for Indigenous peoples | | [International Society of Ethnobiology](https://www.ethnobiology.net/) | supports the conservation of biological and cultural diversity | | [Land Institute](https://landinstitute.org/) | develops and promotes perennial crops and polycultures for sustainable agriculture | | [MAPS](https://maps.org/) | psychedelic research and policy reform | | [National Young Farmers Coalition](https://www.youngfarmers.org/) | advocates for young farmers and sustainable agriculture | | [Navdanya](https://www.navdanya.org/) | seed saving and biopiracy resistance | | [Open Source Seed Initiative](https://osseeds.org/) | promotes open-source seed sharing | | [Organic Consumers Association](https://www.organicconsumers.org/) | advocates for organic agriculture and food safety | | [Permaculture Association](https://www.permaculture.org.uk/) | supports the development of permaculture systems for sustainable living | | [Permaculture Research Institute](https://www.permaculturenews.org/) | supports permaculture education and research | | [Pesticide Action Network](https://www.panna.org/) | advocates for alternatives to pesticides and supports organic agriculture | | [Plant Amnesty](https://www.plantamnesty.org/) | advocacy against improper pruning and plant poaching | | [Plantlife International](https://www.plantlife.org.uk/) | conserves wild plants and their habitats | | [Plants For A Future](https://pfaf.org/) | information resource for edible and useful plants | | [Pollinator Partnership](https://www.pollinator.org/) | promotes the health of pollinators through conservation, education, and research | | [Psychedelic Science Funders Collaborative](https://psfc.co/) | funding for psychedelic research | | [Rainforest Alliance](https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/) | works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices | | [Rainforest Foundation US](https://www.rainforestfoundation.org/) | supports indigenous peoples to protect their rainforest homes | | [Rodale Institute](https://rodaleinstitute.org/) | pioneers organic farming through research and outreach | | [Save Our Seeds](https://www.saveourseeds.org/en.html) | campaigns against genetically modified seeds and promotes biodiversity | | [Savory Institute](https://www.savory.global/) | promotes holistic management to regenerate the world's grasslands | | [Seed Savers Exchange](https://www.seedsavers.org/) | seed saving and heritage plant preservation | | [Slow Food USA](https://slowfoodusa.org/) | promotes local food and traditional cooking | | [Slow Money](https://slowmoney.org/) | invests in local food systems and sustainable agriculture | | [Soil Association](https://www.soilassociation.org/) | promotes organic farming and sustainable food systems | | [Sustainable Harvest International](https://sustainableharvest.org/) | partners with farming families to improve food security and restore the environment | | [The Berry Center](https://berrycenter.org/) | focuses on issues of land use, farm policy, and local food systems | | [The Crop Trust](https://www.croptrust.org/) | ensures the conservation and availability of crop diversity for food security worldwide | | [The Land Conservancy](https://www.landconserve.org/) | works to conserve natural and agricultural lands for the benefit of current and future generations | | [The Land Institute](https://landinstitute.org/) | researches and promotes sustainable agriculture practices | | [The Nature Conservancy](https://www.nature.org/) | works to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people | | [The Organic Center](https://www.organic-center.org/) | conducts research on the benefits of organic food and farming | | [The Organic Seed Alliance](https://seedalliance.org/) | advances the ethical development and stewardship of the genetic resources of agricultural seed | | [The Rare Breed Survival Trust](https://www.rbst.org.uk/) | works to secure the future of rare and native livestock breeds | | [The Rodale Institute](https://rodaleinstitute.org/) | advances regenerative organic agriculture through research and outreach | | [The Sierra Club](https://www.sierraclub.org/) | works to promote conservation of the natural environment | | [The Wildlands Conservancy](https://wildlandsconservancy.org) | preserves wildlands in the American West | | [The Xerces Society](https://xerces.org/) | protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats | | [Union of Concerned Scientists](https://www.ucsusa.org/) | uses science to address global problems and advocate for a healthier environment | | [United Plant Savers](https://www.unitedplantsavers.org/) | works to protect native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada | | [WWOOF](https://wwoof.net/) | connects volunteers with organic farmers to promote organic farming practices |