Seeds For Change: Organic Seed Production & Crop Variety Improvement

Tuesday evening, July 20 until Friday morning, July 23
This workshop is designed to provide organic farmers with the knowledge required to produce a marketable seed crop.  The workshop will focus on maintaining genetic integrity of seed while improving and adapting crops to your environment and particular cultural practices.

In addition to the basics of growing seed organically, we will cover how to determine if you are starting with good seed stock and how to improve and refine a variety if it has been poorly maintained. The workshop will cover isolation distances for preserving genetic purity, how to insure adequate population size for genetic elasticity, maintaining self- vs. cross-pollinated species, evaluation and selection for varietal integrity, and adaptation to the vagaries of climate, your needs, and the local market. We will also cover optimum timing of maturation, and harvesting, processing, and storing of seed.

This workshop is for organic farmers interested in moving into seed production for their own use or for sale, as well for those who already have basic seed production experience and want to refine their skills.

John Navazio is the Senior Plant Breeder for the Organic Seed Alliance in Port Townsend, Washington. John is a plant geneticist whose research and teaching is directed at the integration of innovative organic farming methods by breeding crops for decreased inputs and resistance to environmental challenges. John holds a PhD in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics.

Frank Morton and his wife Karen operate Wild Garden Seed with their friends at Gathering Together Farm in Philomath, Oregon, selling the organic seed they grow themselves. A large portion of the 150 varieties grown on-site were originally bred by Frank and Karen and are available in most commercial catalogues that serve organic growers.

Register at www.foxglovefarmbc.ca.