Seed saving started when someone
decided to try saving seed from a plant they liked, to grow it again next
season. For quite awhile we took this common act for granted.
These days we are more likely to purchase seed new each year, if we grow
from seed at all. But someone still has to make sure there are seeds
out there to buy. While the great majority of saved seed is saved
by rural farmers or backyard gardeners, there are several organizations
around the world that are gathering, cataloging, dispersing and sharing
the thousands of varieties of seeds that might otherwise become extinct.
When you start your search for seed of Grandma's favorite red cabbage,
here are some excellent places to start.
Abundant
Life Seed Foundation
930 Lawrence St.
PO Box 772
Port Townsend, WA 98368 (360) 385-5660
E-mail: abundant@olypen.com
There mission is to "...preserve genetic diversity and support sustainable agriculture through acquiring, propagating, preserving and distributing native and naturalized seed, with specific emphasis on those species not commercially available, including rare and endangered species; providing information on plant and seed propagation; and aiding in the preservation of native and naturalized plants through cultivation." They accomplish this mission in great part through their seed saving arm. They grow out and maintain their varieties both on the organization's farm and with the help of volunteers in their seed growers network. This accomplished, the next step is to get the seed out to farmers and gardeners. They offer seed for sale through their catalog. They also have a World Seed Fund, which distributes seed for free, where needed. They have contributed seed to community gardening projects, prisons, schools, and urban gardens in counties throughout the world. They also include information about saving seeds, so that the receivers can continue growing the plants and hopefully pass some seeds along.You can join the foundation for $30. You'll receive the Abundant Life newsletter, the "Seed Midden", three times a year. You also get some heirloom seeds to get you started, as well as a pamphlet called the "Home Growers Guide to Seed Saving", to help you start saving your own seeds.
You could also join their Seed Growers Network. If you are a novice seed saver, they'll help you get up to snuff.
Deep
Diversity
PO Box 15700,
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87506.
E-mail: gardener
