The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) licenses seed labelers. The labeling requirement helps assure that consumers receive good quality seed that germinates and does not contain weed seeds.
A seed labeler is any business or person whose name appears on a seed label, or who opens containers of agricultural, lawn or vegetable seed to sell all or part of it. Labels must include information about the percentages of different kinds of seeds in the package, germination and treatment, inoculation, or coating. Complete labeling requirements are listed in Wis. Admin. Code § ATCP 20.
You do not need a seed label license if you sell:
Seed licenses are annual, effective January 1 through December 31. The cost is based on gross annual sales and ranges from $25 for sales less than $10,000 up to $2,500 for sales of $100 million or more. A complete fee schedule is available in Wis. Stat. § 94.43-46.
New! You can now apply for a new seed labeler's license or renew your existing seed labeler's license and pay online on MyDATCP. Here are a few tips for using the online system:
- Use a supported browser - Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Safari. MyDATCP is not compatible with Firefox.
- Allow pop-ups from MyDATCP.
- Only one tab of MyDATCP can be open at a time.
- A unique email (USER ID) must be used for each unique Legal Applicant.
- Once registered on MyDATCP, users can access and print their own license certificates once they're issued.
Alternatively, you can still apply for a seed license on our paper form if preferred. Forms are linked below.
Seed Labeler License Application (PDF)
Seed Labeler License Application (Word doc)
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