Local Food Needs Local Seed: Increasing Production and Use of Locally Adapted Seed with a Farm to Community Network

Final report for EDS23-046

EDS23-046 (project overview)
Project Type: Education Only
Funds awarded in 2023: $41,000.00
Projected End Date: 03/31/2025
Grant Recipient: Working Food
Region: Southern
State: Florida
Principal Investigator:
Melissa DeSa
Email
Working Food
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Project Information

Abstract:

Although seed is one of the most essential inputs for farming, few farmers save their own. Seed is often seen as inexpensive, readily available, and easier to purchase than to produce. With the daily demands of running a farm, seed saving—an activity requiring specialized knowledge, time, and potential tradeoffs with market crops—rarely feels urgent or necessary.

This lack of incentive has left regional seed systems underdeveloped and vulnerable. The fragility of relying on consolidated external sources became clear in 2020, when seed companies struggled to meet demand, leaving growers without critical supplies. What if, instead, we had decentralized seed networks—resilient systems rooted in a diversity of farmers saving and sharing locally adapted seed, supported by communities that understand that local food depends on local seed?

Working Food is committed to building that vision. With over a decade of experience in seed saving, community outreach, and collaboration with farmers, seed companies, and nonprofit partners, we are well-positioned to support a resilient, regionally adapted seed system. Leveraging partnerships with local farmers, community organizations, and University of Florida faculty, this project advanced the concept of a "farm-to-community seed network." Our work aligns with recent research calling for increased investment in farmer training, diversified educational materials, and support for decentralized seed systems (Hubbard et al. 2022; Snyder et al. 2022).

This project focused on co-learning and mutual support between Working Food’s seed expert and three core market farmers in the Gainesville, Florida region. Together, we identified suitable crops, developed best practices for integrating seed production into market farming, and strengthened the foundation for a regional seed network. We produced peer-reviewed outreach materials in print, digital, and video formats to inspire broader adoption. Community engagement included farm field trips for youth and farmers, variety tastings, and a public demonstration day.

This work builds on existing momentum to grow a resilient, community-supported local food system—one that values seed as a shared, living resource that must be tailored to, and stewarded by the needs of local growers.

Project Objectives:

Overall Goal: To build capacity and inspiration of emerging seed growers to become long term seed stewards, while creating awareness and support from the general public about the importance of local food grown from local seed. 

Objectives:

  1. Through mutual co-learning and ongoing engagement among market farmers and the experienced seed stewards, evaluate and document best practices for on-farm seed production that are likely to be adopted by farmers.
  2. Create easily accessible and informative learning materials that will inspire and educate more farmers to consider seed stewardship as an essential practice. 
  3. Publish and promote easily accessible, engaging, and diverse outreach materials and activities that use seed and food as a mechanism to deepen connections between farmers, urban ag communities, underserved communities, and the general public.

Cooperators

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  • Dr. Danielle Treadwell - Technical Advisor

Education

Educational approach:

Primary Educational Approach: On-Farm Mentorship and Co-Learning
 The core of this project was a co-learning model between market farmers and experienced seed savers, designed to build seed-saving skills and support integration into farm operations. This informal, personalized approach included one-on-one conversations, on-farm visits, collaborative decision-making, and seasonal seed crop check-ins. It focused on aligning seed saving practices with each farm’s infrastructure, workflow, and the farmers’ personal interests, experiences, and goals. Although there were challenges with extreme weather, pests and human error, we successfully saved 5 different crop types and 9 different varieties with varied success that built upon everyone’s knowledge and skill set. 

Advisory and Community Input
 An Advisory Group provided feedback on outreach materials and connected diverse voices in the local food and seed systems. Additionally, southeast seed-saving experts were compensated to review and improve published resources.

Educational Outreach and Field-Based Learning
 Field trips offered hands-on learning for both farmers and youth:

  • Farmers visited Possum Hollow Farm to learn about Cuban Calabaza seed saving and the Florida Wildflower Cooperative to see various seed processing tools in action.
  • Eight youth trips to farms and seed saving gardens engaged students in experiential learning around seeds, food, and community. One highlight included a chef-led lunch using cowpeas students had helped harvest, paired with vegetables from their urban farm apprenticeship.
  • Farmers visited 2 youth garden locations (Farm to School campus and Duval Community Garden)  to lead seed-related conversations and activities.
  • A seed demo day was held at the Grove Street Farmers Market, where we demonstrated squash seed processing and fruit quality evaluation using color, taste and Brix readings. Seeds were shared with interested shoppers. 
  • Three on-farm staff lunches gave farm teams an opportunity to hear project updates and enjoy crop tastings of tomatoes, cowpeas, and winter squash that were grown as part of the project. 

Media & Educational Resource Development

An estimated 72 individuals—including farmers, youth, seed savers, and the University of Flordia student—benefited directly from this project, not including the reach of the public market demonstration. The combination of mentorship, outreach, and community-building laid a strong foundation for continued seed-saving education and practice across diverse farm settings.

Educational & Outreach Activities

20 Consultations
13 Curricula, factsheets or educational tools
5 On-farm demonstrations
5 Published press articles, newsletters
2 Webinars / talks / presentations
9 Workshop field days
1 Other educational activities: Project Youth Build students that apprenticed at the Gainesville Giving Garden, visited our seed operations several times as well as local farms throughout the project’s duration. Cowpea seeds that they helped harvest and process were included in a farm fresh meal they helped create with a local chef.

Participation Summary:

21 Farmers participated
6 Ag professionals participated
Education/outreach description:

Consultations

Throughout the project, farmers received one-on-one support tailored to each stage of the seed production process—from crop planning to seed harvest. Communication was flexible and responsive, using phone calls, emails, text messages, and in-person visits to accommodate the hectic nature of farm schedules.In addition to individualized consultations, we facilitated several group gatherings. These included three farm staff meetings held over lunch, where project updates were discussed and feedback was exchanged. A highlight was a variety tasting at each event featuring crops grown through the project (tomatoes, winter squash and cowpeas). Farmers appreciated the opportunity to compare varieties side by side, discuss preferences, and reflect on which ones they’d like to grow again. These personalized and collaborative interactions were key to the project’s success, helping to build trust, maintain momentum, and adapt strategies in real time.

Curricula, Factsheets, and Educational Tools

As part of this project, we created 13 educational resources designed to support farmers—especially those in the Southeast—interested in seed saving. These materials reflect both lessons learned from this project and knowledge built from previous experiences, research, and collaboration with peer reviewers. All resources are compiled and freely accessible at workingfood.org/savingseeds, alongside additional videos and materials developed through SARE Project SARE Project LS21-351.

Resources include:

  • Three crop-specific seed saving guides featuring photos, illustrations, and personal stories from local farmers and their seed-saving experiences.
  • A free zine, 8 Easy Seeds, available in print and digital formats, designed for beginners and the general public. 70 copies were printed and distributed.
  • A detailed guide on drying and storing seeds, with photos and examples of low-tech, climate-appropriate methods for maintaining seed viability.
  • Two instructional videos on seed processing techniques.
  • Two “Meet the Farmer” videos sharing personal reflections on why local farmers save seed.
  • A University of Florida IFAS publication (carried over from a previous SARE project), A Beginner’s Guide to Producing and Saving Open-Pollinated Seeds for North Florida Farmers and Gardeners.
  • Downloadable “Grown from Local Seed” signs for farmers to display at market stands, raising awareness of regional seed efforts.

On farm demonstrations

As part of our outreach and education efforts, we organized farmer field trips to two farms: Possum Hollow Farm, where participants learned about Cuban Calabaza seed saving practices, and the Florida Wildflower Cooperative, where they observed a variety of seed processing tools in action. In addition, we hosted three on-farm staff lunches, providing farm teams with a chance to hear project updates, share insights, and participate in tastings of project-grown crops—including tomatoes, cowpeas, and winter squash. These informal, hands-on gatherings helped reinforce learning, build community, and showcase the tangible results of seed saving practices.

Published Press Articles, Newsletter

To engage the broader community and share the story of our work, we used a mix of digital outreach tools throughout the project. We updated our 1,749 email subscribers and reached wider audiences through social media—with 5,700 followers on Facebook and 4,333 on Instagram—to celebrate milestones and share project progress.

In addition, our work was featured in a national media outlet, Modern Farmer, in an article titled: On the Ground with Growers Working to Localize Seed Production. 

Webinars, Talks and Presentations

Melissa DeSa, the project’s Principal Investigator and Working Food’s Seed Program Director, represented our work at two major conferences, sharing insights from our seed saving efforts and collaborations with farmers:

  • Carolina Farm Stewardship Sustainable Agriculture Conference (November 2024, Durham, SC):
    “Seeds that Know the South: Regional Seeds for Regional Production” – Co-presented with Chris Smith of The Utopian Seed Project, highlighting the importance of regionally adapted seed systems.
  • Organic Seed Alliance’s Organic Seed Growers Conference (February 2025, Corvallis, OR):
    Participated as a panelist in “Local Food Needs Local Seed”, alongside three other seed savers from across the country, discussing strategies for strengthening local seed networks.

These presentations helped connect our regional work to broader national conversations on seed sovereignty and resilience.

Workshops/Field Days

Part of this project was to build connections between farms and the wider community, using seeds as a way to connect and learn. While our initial plans included hosting multiple field trips with local farmers and offering stipends to support their participation, we faced unexpected challenges in coordinating schedules. Many farmers expressed limited availability or were not able to participate due to the demands of their operations. This impacted our ability to execute the number of field trips we originally intended. We did however, facilitate a series of engaging, hands-on experiences for youth and the general public, fostering learning and curiosity around seed saving and local food systems. Highlights include:

Youth Field Trips and Educational Visits:

  • 10/20/2023 – Project YouthBuild (PYB) apprentices visited Siembra Farm, met the farmer, and helped harvest cowpea seeds.
  • 11/13/2023 – PYB apprentices visited Working Food’s seed gardens and seed bank at Grow Hub to assist with seed production and processing.
  • 12/6/2023 – George Washington Carver Science Club (GWCSC) students enjoyed a year-end field trip to Nicoya Farm, engaging in seed saving and harvest activities.
  • 12/8/2023 – Nicoya Farmer Aviva Asher visited the Farm to School program, leading seed-focused activities for kindergarteners.
  • 12/1/2024 – GWCSC returned to Nicoya Farm for another year-end visit; many students built on prior experience and were thrilled to reconnect with the space and farmers.
  • 3/6/2024 – GWCSC visited the UF Field & Fork teaching farm. Students participated in seed activities and even taught college students about worm farming—donating worms from their own gardens.
  • 3/26/2025 – GWCSC returned to UF’s Field & Fork farm, continuing to deepen their understanding of seed systems and strengthen connections with new university students.
  • 11/19/2024 – Otis Garrison, lead farmer of Porters Quarters Community Farm, visited the Greater Duval Neighborhood community garden. Kids shared their space, learned from Otis, and enjoyed a shared meal provided by Working Food’s Youth Program team.

Public Engagement and Demonstration:

  • 11/18/2024 – Working Food hosted a seed-saving demonstration table at the busy Grove Street Market, alongside two core farmers from the project. We shared winter squash grown for seed, discussed selection methods using taste and Brix readings, and offered seeds and halved fruits to market-goers at no cost.

Other Educational Activities

On February 26, 2024, Project YouthBuild (PYB) apprentices participated in a special cooking class and lunch activity that brought their seed-saving journey full circle. Cowpea seeds they had helped harvest at Siembra and Nicoya Farms—and later processed at Working Food’s seed-saving site—were featured in a farm-fresh meal they prepared alongside a local chef. This hands-on experience deepened their understanding of the full seed-to-table cycle and celebrated the fruits of their labor.

Partner Program Notes:

Project YouthBuild (PYB): A program for young adults completing high school diplomas while gaining community and vocational experience.

George Washington Carver Science Club (GWCSC): A partnership with Working Food offering weekly hands-on science and garden learning for elementary students, enhanced through community field trips.

 

Learning Outcomes

12 Farmers reported changes in knowledge, attitudes, skills and/or awareness as a result of their participation
Key changes:

  • Integrating seed production into their farming systems, with attention to factors like plant population, cross-pollination, and timing.

  • Recognizing the dual purpose of market crops as potential seed crops.

  • Improving timing strategies for both crop planting and seed harvesting.

  • Developing systems to harvest and handle seed crops separately from market-bound produce.

  • Refining selection criteria for choosing plants for seed saving.

  • Expressing increased interest in conducting variety trials to identify more diverse and regionally adapted crop varieties.

Project Outcomes

5 Farmers changed or adopted a practice
1 New working collaboration
Project outcomes:

This project supported farmers in overcoming barriers to adopting seed saving as part of their farm systems. While some had previously saved seed informally, there was little integration into seasonal planning, and acknowledgement that if it was done, it was often done poorly (affecting seed quality as seen in germination rates), and not a priority on a busy and multi-faceted farm operation. By facilitating a co-learning model between farmers and an expert seed saver, we helped create crop-specific seed saving plans tailored to each farm’s interests and capacity. These plans addressed farm needs, communication with staff, harvest timing, and labeling systems—making seed saving more approachable and manageable. 

Socially, the project fostered peer learning and community through collaborative planning and informal gatherings like farm staff lunches to share progress and taste-test saved varieties. Outreach efforts including social media, blogs, signage, and press—helped raise awareness and celebrate this work more broadly.

Economically, we gathered data on seed yields, costs, and returns, helping farmers understand the part that matters the most as the bottom line - the cost and what value is provided to the farm in return. 

Environmentally, the project advanced the use of regionally adapted, open-pollinated varieties that build on-farm resilience and the continuation of slowly building a reliable seed system that is locally driven.

While we encountered challenges common to farming (e.g., pests, weather, and human error), we successfully saved five crop types across three farms, returned viable seed to participants, and supported a breeding effort of sweet peppers. These results offer a solid foundation for future seed saving models that enhance sustainability in practical, farmer-led ways.

Recommendations:

While many farmers recognize the value of locally sourced seed, most lack the time, space, and specialized skills to prioritize seed saving. Even if more farmers were engaged in the practice, there remains a need for infrastructure to support aggregation, processing, storage, and distribution. For some, the labor involved in seed saving outweighs the cost of purchasing seed, making it economically unfeasible. Still, there is broad agreement on the importance of adapted varieties and the need for regional seed-sharing networks. On most farms, seed saving feels like yet another specialized task competing for limited time.

To move forward, we recommend exploring cooperative models that distribute the work and resources more equitably. Potential next steps include:

  • Offering one-on-one support tailored to individual farm operations
  • Identifying what motivates a broader range of farmers (e.g., cultural crops, breeding, marketing niches)
  • Subsidizing or cost-sharing seed-saving efforts
  • Providing support for processing, planning, and distribution
  • Piloting localized cooperative or collective models to manage seed production at scale
  • Gathering and building upon existing research comparing locally adapted varieties to commercial hybrids
  • Identifying and trailing open pollinated varieties that can compete with popular hybrids 
  • Developing "train-the-trainer" programs, such as through land-grant extension services, to integrate seed saving as a shared and supported skillset among farmers

There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but these approaches may offer replicable strategies for farming communities.

Information Products

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Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.