January 18, 2008

Seed Savers Exchange Advisors Support Board Actions

Seed Savers Exchange is a world class institution which has led the way for planetary preservation of the genetic diversity of plants. Its growth has been directed by an overarching vision first formulated by its co-founders, Kent Whealy and Diane Ott Whealy, and for more than twenty years refined and realized through the guidance and stewardship of a distinguished Board of Directors.

Like any great institution, it is greater than the sum of its parts and any one individual. In recent years it has become increasingly clear that Kent Whealy has perceived the Exchange as his personal possession to be directed to serve his own interests. The Advisors have had their own issues with Kent. The Board has prudently determined that his thoughts and actions had become antagonistic to the vision and responsibilities of the Exchange. After a long period of counseling Kent, and his failure to follow direction, the Board circumspectly with competent legal advice decided unanimously to terminate his employment as Executive Director. The duty of the Board to direct the affairs of the Exchange in a prudent manner required it to take this action.

It is with great regret that we, the undersigned Advisors of Seed Savers Exchange, have learned that Kent has begun a campaign to reverse this course of prudent action by the Board. He has sent to every Listed Member of the Exchange an intemperately worded letter full of misrepresentations of fact. He has impugned the motivations of the Directors and has harmed the reputation of each of them. He has attempted to enlist the participation of each of us Advisors in his campaign of destruction and defamation in a personal attempt to take control of this institution.

We Advisors refuse to allow him to do so, and we agree with and support the prudent decisions of the Board of Directors of Seed Savers Exchange. We commend each Director for acting responsibly in the best interests of the Exchange and in the faithful implementation of its vision and mission.

SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING ADVISORS

Suzanne Ashworth
Will Bonsall
Dan Bussey
Keith Crotz
Glenn Drowns
Laura Jackson
Craig LeHoullier
Laura Merrick
John Swenson