2003 Annual Report for LS03-156
Saving our Seed: A program to train farmers
Summary
In recognition of the need for more regionally-adapted certified organic and open pollinated heirloom seed, the Saving Our Seed program is bringing together area seed companies, Crop Improvement Associations, Foundation Seed producers, Extension Services, organic farming organizations, and growers in a collaborative effort to research and develop infrastructure for, and initiate, a southern seed network, and to support the overall growth of organic agriculture in the southeast. With the implementation of federal organic standards in October 2002, organic growers are now required to use certified organic seed (where commercially and varietally available). To actualize the goal of increasing availability of organic and heirloom seed suited to southern growing conditions, the Saving Our Seed project will survey Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia growers to determine organic and heirloom seed needs, coordinate seed production training workshops, research and develop a series of seed production management manuals for the southeast, build and support an on-farm grow-out program of organic and heirloom seed, and determine and design an appropriate structure for regional seed processing and distribution.
Objectives/Performance Targets
The Saving Our Seed project has received SARE funding through December 2005 to undertake the following aims:
1. Identify top regional organic and heirloom seed needs, through use of a grower survey.
2. Research current organic seed production information, specifically that pertaining to the southeast, and assess production knowledge needs.
3. Design and conduct seed production training workshops for growers and extension agents.
4. Develop a series of organic and heirloom seed production management manuals, focusing on those crops identified as top needs in the grower survey.
5. Coordinate a farmer seed grow-out program, providing planting and management assistance as well as detailed recordkeeping instruments to participating farmers.
6. Organize an infrastructure team to examine needs and determine strategies for implementing appropriate seed harvesting, processing, germination testing, storage, and marketing/distribution systems.
Accomplishments/Milestones
A collaborators’ meeting was held in early November 2003 in conjunction with the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association’s annual sustainable agriculture conference. All partnering institutions were in attendance: Anson Mills Inc., Clemson University, Georgia Crop Improvement Association, Georgia Organics, NCSU Cooperative Extension Service, North Carolina Crop Improvement Association, North Carolina Foundation Seed Producers, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, and Southern Seed Legacy. This inaugural event to the Saving Our Seed project was also attended by representatives from the farming and seed educator communities. The meeting provided an opportunity for all grant parties to connect with and ascertain the skills/knowledge represented by the other involved organizations; further define Saving Our Seed project aims; outline a working structure and target goals for winter/spring 2004, discuss budgeting details and workshop scheduling; and plan avenues for future and continued partner collaboration.
The Saving Our Seed project met the established December 2003 objective of designing and distributing a grower survey. An initial draft was written and circulated to all partner institutions for feedback during the November collaborator meeting. The survey was designed to assess the organic and heirloom seed needs of southeastern growers. In addition to asking for grower input on needed varieties, quantities, and organic seed sourcing, the survey communicated project goals, and invited grower involvement. Overall, approximately 1000 surveys were distributed to Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia growers. Distribution lists were requested from all partners; in addition, grower lists were obtained from the Virginia Association of Biological Farmers (VABF), as well as the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and web-sourced area sustainable agriculture organizations and farms. To date, 102 surveys have been returned (an approximate 10% return rate). Responses from returned grower surveys are used to focus discussions of crop selection for the 2004 farmer grow-out program.
Other key accomplishments for 2003 include the design and launching of a Saving Our Seed informational webpage (as part of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association website, www.carolinafarmstewards.org), and the promotion and publicity of the program through publication of articles prepared for CFSA, Georgia Organics, Southern Seed Legacy, and VABF newsletters and bulletins. Organization of structural foundations for the 2004 seed grow-out program, as well as coordinating logistics for the preliminary workshops (February 2004) are continuing activities and priorities.
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
It is expected that the Saving Our Seed program will provide substantial benefits at the individual, local, and organic community level. Through program implementation, we believe we can contribute the following:
1. Increased availability of certified organic and open pollinated heirloom seed adapted to regional conditions.
2. Immediate opportunities for area growers to diversity their income by establishing seed marketing and distribution options; in the long term, ease of transition to the organic market due to increased availability of organic/regional seed varieties and alternative marketing prospects.
3. Overall growth of organic agriculture in the south, with the associated environmental benefits of organic and sustainable agriculture systems.
4. Preservation of our seed genetic heritage, especially those varieties hailing from the south.
5. Support of our rural communities through commitment to local enterprise and employment opportunities.
6. Seed production/saving resource and knowledge sharing, as well as building of community partnerships through the creation of a southern seed and support network.