Percy Schmeiser

Percy Schmeiser is a Canadian canola farmer who has been sued by agricultural chemical and biotech giant Monsanto after some of Monsanto's genetically engineered Roundup Ready canola genes drifted onto his property from neighboring farms and contaminated his crop.
Mr. Schmeiser, who is now 70 years old, has traveled the world speaking to a wide variety of audiences about his experience.
Mr. Schmeiser received the Mahatma Gandhi award in October, 2000.
Percy Schmeiser speaking at the University of Texas at Austin - October 10, 2001:
I've been farming for 53 years, and 50 years of those I spent in developing a natural breeding of canola. I was known in Western Canada as a seed saver and a seed developer. Besides being a farmer, I've also spent 25 years in public life. I was a member of Parliament and I was also mayor of my community for that length of time. In those years of public life, I was on every agricultural committee you can imagine, both federally and provincially. I've always fought for farmers’ rights and farmers’ privileges, and regulations and laws that would benefit them.
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Rodney Nelson, along with his father and brothers, grows soybeans on their North Dakota farm. His family is also being sued by Monsanto, who accused them of saving and replanting their patented Roundup ready soybeans, a charge Mr. Nelson adamantly denies.
Rodney Nelson (seen speaking from his fields in a tractor - note: taped for this event):
Our family comes from a long line of share renters. Our farm has grown quite dramatically in size over the years because we have always been honest and fair with people. And I believe our landlords realize this. And that's why they come to us to rent us a farm. It has been heart wrenching for us to watch our reputations be destroyed in our own community over something we did not do. My family has been enduring a living hell since this began. I am sure this is what led to my father's recent heart attack a few weeks back. He has been physically and emotionally shattered since this began, as our whole family has been. more @ http://www.mindfully.org/GE/GE4/Heartbreak-In-The-Heartland21jul02.htm