[Scpg] Seed Saving: Sowing Possibility Oscar Carmona, guest contributor LoaTree/The Seed Saving Guild of Santa Barbara

Fri Feb 22 19:25:46 PST 2013

Seed Saving: Sowing Possibility
FOOD & DRINK by LoaTree | on February 22nd, 2013 | 0 comments
http://loatree.com/2013/02/22/seed-saving-sowing-possibility/

Emerging 'food security' discussions have increasingly focused on 
ways to support small scale farming, home gardening endeavors, and on 
creating avenues for localized distribution of food products. Making 
changes to existing zoning and health laws that hamper these efforts 
are also important components now being considered in municipalities 
across the country. Perhaps the most critical aspect for localizing 
food and addressing food security, however, is having access to high 
quality, clean and diverse seed stock.

Every year, more and more cultivar varieties of seed ill suited for 
the global marketplace are being cast aside in favor of a limited 
number that 'fit the bill.' Smaller seed companies that sell heirloom 
and older established varieties for localized markets are being 
bought up by larger companies with little interest in maintaining 
bio-diverse, highly nutritious varieties, instead focusing on those 
that can be shipped and that have a relatively long shelf life. This 
trend is alarming.

In a localized food economy, a small farmer or home gardener can take 
advantage of literally thousands of varieties that would not 
necessarily do well on a large scale farm. Many of these 'heirloom' 
and heritage varieties provide superior nutrient content and flavor 
to their big market counterparts. So, the disappearance of those 
small businesses and farmers that have traditionally provided 
localized or native seed stock does not bode well for those seeking 
to increase the food security of a particular region.

Saving seed from varieties that grow best in one's bio-region and 
provide great nutrition is the best way for groups and individuals to 
maintain access to these crops.

Creating localized seed stock is important, cutting edge work. 
Growing and selecting the best specimens for seed stock and then 
nurturing them to a successful maturation will generally yield high 
quality seeds. Some varieties are easier to save seed from than 
others, but it's not rocket science. It's possible to become 
proficient at saving many types of seeds. Learning from experienced 
seed savers is an important asset in any community, and with national 
and international debates raging over seed patents, 'ownership' of 
seed stock by multinational corporations, and the future of farming 
in an era of climate change, the time to learn this important skill is now.

The Seed Saving Guild of Santa Barbara, a program of the Foodbank of 
Santa Barbara County, is a newly formed effort dedicated to the 
promotion of locally sourced seed stock. Santa Barbara is fortunate 
to have a formidable cohort of seed saving experts such as Marshall 
Chrostowski, Larry Saltzman and Jerry Sortommae. The Santa Barbara 
Seed Saving Guild will provide working demonstration sites at 
Pacifica Graduate Institute, Mesa Harmony Project, Fairview Gardens 
and the Huerta Project that will not only yield quality seed stock 
but also provide hands-on learning opportunities for the entire Santa 
Barbara community.

For those in Santa Barbara, a workshop will be held Saturday, 
February 23, from 3-5 at Mesa Harmony Garden. We will be planting 
varieties of heirloom lettuce. Everyone is welcome to attend. Plan to 
get down and dirty and volunteer to help with the on-going growing 
efforts. It's all free of charge.

For those outside of Santa Barbara or California, Seed Savers 
Exchange is a non-profit organization based in Iowa dedicated to 
saving and sharing heirloom seeds, and serves as a great resource for 
those looking for additional information. Native Seed Search out of 
Arizona is another great resource focusing on the cultivars from the 
southwestern region of the United States, including Northern Mexico.

For more information, contact me at ocarmon at foodbanksbc.org. Let's 
get growing!!

-Oscar Carmona, guest contributor

Oscar Carmona, owner and operator of Healing Grounds Nursery, has 
spent the last 25 years helping connect people, plants, and the 
planet. He has taught sustainable landscape courses, gardening 
classes and home consultation for better living throughout 
California. He also manages food education programs for the Foodbank 
of Santa Barbara County.

Santa Babara Permaculture Network Logo

(805) 962-2571
P.O. Box 92156, Santa Barbara, CA 93190
margie at sbpermaculture.org
www.sbpermaculture.org

PlPlease consider the environment before printing this email.

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