JAN 20/Film " Our Seeds: Seeds Blong Yumi " A Film on

I n honor of 2nd Annual Seed Swap Day, S.B. Hopedance Media, presents a film by the Seed Saver's Network called "Our Seeds: Seeds Blong Yumi" Wed January 20 at the Santa Barbara Public Library, Faulkner Gallery.

A small crew comprising Seed Savers Network (www.seedsavers.net) directors, Australians Michel Fanton and Jude Fanton, took a hundred and sixty hours of footage in eleven countries: Spain, France, Italy, India, Sri Lanka, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. There are interviews of farmers and expert commentators and documented seed saving, farming methods and cultural activities in both first world and tribal locations. People in advanced countries, such as Taiwan, Spain, France and Italy share the same sentiments as indigenous Pacific farmers when it comes to traditional varieties.

The film explores the relationship between traditional biodiversity and traditional culture in the wide-ranging locations and shows that there are the same problems and solutions in each of them. It is a David and Goliath story where resilience and persuasive logic triumph over seemingly invincible corporate agribusiness.

The Film encourages viewers to work in solidarity with indigenous farmers around the world to restore traditional farming and plants to their rightful place as highly important assets of local communities and indigenous peoples.

The producers of "Our Seeds: Seeds Blong Yumi " are distributing free 1000 DVDs to tribal schools, colleges, churches, hospitals and non-government agencies in the Pacific Region. The intention is for these agencies to show the film to their constituencies out in the villages.. They will also travel to Western Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands this year to screen the film and train community workers to take it to the villages for screening. The community workers will apply the lessons of the film to their current challenges and they will inventory their unique food plants assets and start their own local seed organization or network . The film has an original English soundtrack and Pacific Pigin (a melange of Bislama of Vanuatu, Tok Pisin of PNG and Solomons Pigin). Subtitle options are English and French.

With the threat to local open pollinated seeds and root crops, it is time again for the Seed Savers and friends here in Santa Barbara to come and celebrate the ancient art of Seed Saving and Swapping. This Film's focus is to promote development of local seed saving groups and seed exchanges.

The film will be shown takes place at the Santa Barbara Public Library, Faulkner Gallery, 40 East Anapamu St, in downtown Santa Barbara, on Wednesday, January 20, 7-9pm, 2010. No reservations are required, donation $7. For more information For more information please call (805) 962-2571, or email margie@sbpermaculture.org; www.sbpermaculture.org.

Activities for all ages: story hour, crafts, seed ball making, seed saving lessons, seed envelope making, worm composting, learn about bare root trees, and more! The Gledessary Jam and Spencer the Gardener will play music that will have your toes tapping.

Friends of the Seed Swap: Beard Tropics Nursery, Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens, Edible Santa Barbara, Glendessary Jam, Green Bean Connection: Newsletter for SB Urban Gardeners, Healing Grounds Nursery, Hope Dance, Isla Vista Food Co-op, Island Seed And Feed, Judy Sims, La Huerta, The Learningden Preschool, LoaTree, Owen Dell, Santa Barbara Food Not Lawns, Santa Barbara Organic Garden Club, Santa Barbara Permaculture Network , Santa Barbara Permaculture Guild, Spencer The Garden, The Worm