“The big seed tech companies don’t control anything except their own patents”
I’ve watched these companies systematically buy up all the independent seed house and remove the varieties of seed from availability, substituting only their expensive patented varieties.
"All" is an overstatement. There has been consolidation in this as in most other industries. But there are still many small independent seed companies, and farmers have choices. And if someone wants to sell heirloom seeds, the door is wide open. Those aren't on patent.
Of course, one would have to find a farmer willing to settle for much lower yields. Outside of the organic cult, that's hard to do.
You're thinking of one case in Canada where a farmer took advantage of a patented seed, and managed to turn it into a "cause celebrate" for the kook crowd. He lost the case. The courts found that he owed the patent holder royalties.