The Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) is a program that aims to create open source varieties of crop seeds, as an alternative to patent-protected seeds sold by large agriculture companies such as Monsanto or DuPont.
The OSSI was founded in 2012 by a group of plant breeders, farmers, and seed companies. Founders include Jack Koppenburg, Irwin Goldman, Jim Meyers, and Frank Morton. Members of the group are unhappy with the patenting of plant varieties, as they say the patenting of seeds restricts plant breeders' freedom and increasing the power of large seed companies. Taking inspiration from open source software, the OSSI seeks to create a "protected commons" of open-source seed varieties as an alternative to patented seeds. At first the OSSI tried to draft a legally-defensible license, but they found that the principle of software licenses did not translate easily to plants, as a license on plant seeds would need to continue to each new generations of plants, quickly creating a huge amount of legal work. The OSSI eventually decided to use an informal pledge printed on every seed packet, both for simplicity and because they felt this less restrictive approach was more in line with the goals of the project. The pledge asks farmers who use the seed to refrain from patenting or licensing the seed or derivatives from it, and to pass on the pledge to any derivatives made.
In April 2014, the OSSI released 36 open-source seed varieties, mostly vegetables as patents on vegetable varieties are rare compared to patents on crops like corn or soybeans.
NPR pointed out in their report that the large seed companies are unlikely to use open-source seeds, as patented seeds are more profitable. It is therefore possible that farmers may have trouble finding open-source seeds for sale.
On 10 August 2015 an OSSI red romaine lettuce variety called "Outredgeous" became the first plant variety to be planted, harvested and eaten entirely in space, as a part of Expedition 44 to the International Space Station.