2009 Annual Report for FNC08-733
Increasing Diversity of Ozark Adapted Open Pollinated Seed Varieties
Summary
WORK ACTIVITIES
During this first year, we have trialed 18 seed varieties. Greenhouse trials at Elixir farm were grown according to Elixir’s organic and biodynamic certification. Crop trials included leeks (Musselburg), Sweet peppers (Andean), and two lettuce varieties and a basil variety.
More trials were planted in terraced garden beds which are managed organically and had been cover cropped over the past winter in triticale and crimson clover. Cover crops were worked into the soil with use of a spader implement, and crops were mulched with chopped straw and irrigated with drip hoses.
Crops planted in the main garden included Semanka Melon, Rainbow pepper, and two tomato varieties.
Crops were also planted in the bottom field which is a half mile downstream from the farm. Plantings there had no possibility of cross pollinating with similar species, because of the remoteness of the location.
Crops in the bottom field included other melon and cucumber varieties, as well as “bushel basket” gourds.
Hawk Hill farm grew out and saved one pole bean variety and the Ozark Gold Butternut Squash. To help with these crops at Hawk Hill, a 7-foot deer fence was installed. The deer fence will help next year’s trials, as will the new hoop house installed there last fall.
In the second year of this project, we will continue with the intention of reproducing seed lots from the Arkansas Central University’s Arkansas Heritage collection.
RESULTS
Perhaps the best outcome this year has been the seed grow out of Semanka melon. This is a small green fleshed melon that matured slowly, but showed no noticeable signs of disease. Although the melon has many desirable qualities, it appears that it may have had some cross-pollination with another variety in the years before we were given the seed to try. The most noticeable irregularity was variation in the skin texture. The crop will be trialed again in the second year, selecting for a consistent rough skin surface, and greater uniformity.
In total, 18 varieties were planted this year, and seeds were saved from 15 of those varieties. However, factors of weather, especially unusually high amounts of rainfall last year, have made it more difficult to be sure about the suitability of many of these varieties to our local climate. The opportunity to try several of these varieties for a second year should provide better data about which varieties can survive and thrive in hot dry conditions. It is assumed that many of the selections from the Arkansas Heritage seed collection were chosen and maintained for their adaptability to some of the harsher conditions of the Ozark growing season. We expect next year to give us a better chance to observe this adaptability.
WORK PLAN FOR 2010
At Elixir Farm the Semanka melon will again be grown, but this time in a full 100-foot bed. Additionally, five bean varieties from the Arkansas collection will be grown in half terraces, with other crops planted between beds to prevent cross pollination. The Andean Sweet Pepper will be evaluated again, also in a larger planting in the bottom field, which will allow another sweet pepper to be grown for seed in the main garden without any possibility of cross pollination.
The internet component of our project will continue to be created, with a database for others who are conducting trials to share their results. Part of this database has already been created, but it is not yet online. By summer 2010, the database will be posted at the website: OZARKSEEDBANK.ORG.
The goal for this project was for each participating farm to conduct trials on seven seed varieties over two years. In 2010, we plan to conduct trials and save seeds of 24 seed varieties.
OUTREACH
We shared information about our project and results at events which attracted local farmers. The earliest event was last May, at the West Plains Sustainability festival. (We spoke with 47 farmers at this event)
In September, we participated in the Ozark Heritage Festival in Springfield, MO on the university campus. Seed Saving tools and techniques were demonstrated, and many children helped with seed cleaning. (We spoke with over 100 farmers at this event and 15 children helped clean seeds)
In late September, Daniel Roth joined Seed Savers from the Saving Arkansas’ Agricultural Heritage project in a panel discussion at Missouri Southern University in West Plains, MO. (33 farmers attended Daniel’s presentation).
In November, Daniel presented a PowerPoint presentation on this project at the Ozark Area Community Conference. (26 farmers and gardeners attended this presentation).
In 2010, we expect to present our results at the Branson Hotels event “GOING TO SEED”. (expected attendance: 500)
We also intend to print a seed list later in the fall, including the best outcomes of our seed trials and seed saving.