1996 Annual Report for LNE96-078
Seed Saving and Biodiversity in the Northeastern United States
Summary
Abstract
Conservation of our crop genetic resources lies at the heart of sustainable agriculture. The overall goal of the project is to study seed savers and facilitate seed saving and exchange in the Northeastern United States. Many crop varieties specific to particular regions have been lost with the switch to hybrid crops and the transnationalization of the seed industry.
Objectives
1. Facilitate networks and communications among seed savers and develop a seed fair and educational programs on biodiversity issues as related to sustainable agriculture.
It is hoped that the conference will serve as a first step towards:
Determining the extent of seed savings and plant exchange by farmers and gardeners in the Northeast;
Understanding why people save seeds, what species and varieties of seeds and plants they save;
Understanding the problems people encounter when saving seeds; and,
Identifying potential next steps to promote conservation of crop genetic resources.