By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Athol, MA) Many people around the country are receiving packages of seeds from a foreign country that they did not order. Athol Police Department is aware of only a few instances of this happening in town but Mass.gov is warning all Massachusetts residents not to open or plant the seeds should they receive such a package. Rather, report the seeds to the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, or MDAR, who will reach out and facilitate disposal. According to MDAR, the seeds are probably not harmful to humans or pets but may pose a risk to agriculture. MDAR is asking anyone who receives such a package to not open it or remove the label or even the mailing label. To report the receipt of a seed package with a foreign label that was not ordered click here.