Developing On-Farm Trials and Demonstrations to Support the Creation of Regional Seed Hubs

Commodities

Practices

Steam Onward's program, Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance (UCFA) is a national network committed to preserving heirloom seeds and their histories by supporting market farmers to become seed farmers. UCFA is working to establish regional seed hubs that will serve to train seed growers and create new farming economic opportunities. UCFA is proposing to lead a two-year, multi-state project to strengthen locally controlled seed systems by developing farmer-led seed hubs in the Midwest. Partner farmers in the Midwest will host on-farm demonstrations of rare, new, and different varieties of peppers, sorghum, mung bean, collards, amaranth, and field pea. Each site will trial varieties for both seed and market crops, collect data on seed yield and quality, and share practical approaches to integrating seed growing into different farm enterprises.

This project addresses the limited capacity for farmers to grow heirloom crops as both seed and market crops in the Midwest. UFCA will organize seed-saving workshops and field days that teach skills in seed harvesting, cleaning, and storage. By linking emerging seed growers with cooperative marketing networks, this project will demonstrate how seed production can broaden farm income, enhance growing different crops, and build regional food systems across the North Central SARE region.

1. Establish ten on-farm seed and crop demonstration sites across WI, MN, MI, IN, and OH to trial new varieties of heirloom seeds for both market and seed production.
   
   
2. Collect and share data on seed yield, quality, and crop adaptability across a variety of Midwest environments.
   
   
3. Host regional seed-saving and business development workshops to train new and emerging seed contract growers.
   
   
4. Strengthen cooperative marketing networks through UFCA to connect growers with collective seed production opportunities and revenue broadening strategies