Thank you to everyone who comes here to help answer questions! This is quickly becoming a great resource for me as there aren't any organic gardening centers in my area.

The question: If I purchase non-organically grown seedlings and/or seeds, but raise them organically, is there still a risk of pesticide/herbicide contamination from the initial treatment provided by the greenhouse/grower/seed saver that would carry over in the fruits and/or vegetables?

Great question! And my answer won't please anyone because I personally feel that "organic seeds" are for purists. Unless you are highly specialized and cater to growing edibles for a specific market, why spend the extra money?

Good plants grow from good seeds. Germination involves light, moisture and heat, growth involves nutrients but seedlings are not strong, so very harsh chemicals such as herbicides are unlikely to be needed by the grower, I mean, transplants grow in 6 packs, right? Liquid form nutrients (salt based "Miracles" etc.) may be added to boost vigor (point of sale appeal) but unless you grow your own, you have no way of knowing this.

Certainly traces of persistant chemicals may be present. Then again, the same is found in rainfall. Fruit setting follows foliar/stem growth, if you grow plants in a whole soil, the risks are minimal.

Just my ownn opinion, mind you...

John/Ecologicals

With seeds, unless they are treated there should be zero chemical residue. Unless you are certified organic or going for certifacation there is no need to get certified organic seeds.

Seedlings are another story as they soil mix they are in has a petroluem based wetting agent and generally herbicides and fungicides are used on them. So seedlings almost certainly will have chemicals on them.

Where are you? I will be willing to bet there is an organic greenhouse or nursey near you. there are organic hort. businesses just about everywhere in the US now.

I live in southern Iowa--just an hour southeast of Des Moines. How can I find out where an organic greenhouse/nursery is?

Iowa has tons of organic folks. This is the home of Seed Savers Exchange in Dacorah, after all.

I did a google search using the term iowa organic and got lots of hits. The Dept of Ag publishes a list of organic producers, among other things. So i'd say to check out this link

http://www2.state.ia.us/agriculture/organicdir.htm

Thanks! I forgot about Seed Savers Exchange!

i am sometimes worried that if i buy a seed
it might be genetically engineered and
maybe i wont 'own' the plant or something...

this is especially a worry when i try to sprout
dry beans and stuff that i got at the grocery store.

not that i know anything about it, it just worries me.

Actually, a valid question indeed! But unless you grow rice, corn, rapeseed (canola) or soybeans on a larger scale, I for one would suggest that you should not worry about it.
This is worth a few minutes of your time:
http://www.foodfirst.org/media/news/2001/nationbiotech.html

Hey, I am cheap! How cheap? I pay 69 cents for a bunch of shallots, cut the roots off and plant them! Sure they were exposed to RoundUp and who knows whatelse. The fact is that NOTHING is pure anymore, all we can do is our best.

Just my opinion....
John/Ecologicals

The threat to individual plant species has never been greater since the world began. GE crops are proving to pollute the environment and threaten linked species. Terminator gene technology works to make seed saving a thing of the past, round up ready crops are already transferring their genes to weeds in their own related species, the possibility of insects becoming immune to pesticides are a reality. More veggie varieties are being modified every day, even tomato. Plant species continue to be wiped out, and we have already lost many different heirloom varieties.
As for organically grown seed, some studies have proven that certain seed varieties do not show contamination. However, if an organic gardener supports the chemical trade, you are defeating your ideals.