A Vermont farmers breeding club: developing varieties that work for us

View the project final report

Commodities

• Agronomic: wheat

Practices

• Crop Production: plant breeding and genetics
• Education and Training: demonstration, workshop

Few grain varieties are being developed for organic farmers in the Northeast. Most grain varieties are bred in areas with climates and soils that are very different from the Northeast, are often the property of private seed companies, and are hybrids, making it impossible for farmers to save their own seed. This project will train a group of farmers in wheat breeding, selection skills, and seed-increase techniques so that northeastern farmers can start grain breeding projects on their own farms. Outreach will be through workshops, video, presentations, and articles.