Appalachian Seed Growers Collective: Difference between revisions
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Link [https://cropstories.com/appalachian-seed-growers-collective/] | Link [https://cropstories.com/appalachian-seed-growers-collective/] | ||
We want regional farmers to grow regionally adapted or important seeds to be grown by regional farmers and gardeners. We are focused on Southern Appalachia, but believe our seeds will do well across the Southeast | |||
[[Appalachian Collective Seed Store]] link [https://cropstories.com/appalachian-seed-growers-collective/] | |||
The origin story: | |||
In 2022, while working on some field trials for The Utopian Seed Project, Leeza Chen and Chris Smith were casually discussing common topics such as the impending apocalypse; the consolidated global seed industry; the destructive nature of groundhogs and goats; the economic challenges of growing seed in the south and, directly related, the extreme lack of seed growers in the south. | In 2022, while working on some field trials for The Utopian Seed Project, Leeza Chen and Chris Smith were casually discussing common topics such as the impending apocalypse; the consolidated global seed industry; the destructive nature of groundhogs and goats; the economic challenges of growing seed in the south and, directly related, the extreme lack of seed growers in the south. | ||
Latest revision as of 14:29, 24 February 2024
Link [1]
We want regional farmers to grow regionally adapted or important seeds to be grown by regional farmers and gardeners. We are focused on Southern Appalachia, but believe our seeds will do well across the Southeast
Appalachian Collective Seed Store link [2]
The origin story:
In 2022, while working on some field trials for The Utopian Seed Project, Leeza Chen and Chris Smith were casually discussing common topics such as the impending apocalypse; the consolidated global seed industry; the destructive nature of groundhogs and goats; the economic challenges of growing seed in the south and, directly related, the extreme lack of seed growers in the south.
“What we need is a local seed growers collective,” said Leeza.
“We can do that,” said Chris.
ENTER Shelby Johnson (friend, farmer, farm organizer, and sorghum whisperer) with a serendipitous grant opportunity, which we applied for and received (Thank You CERES Foundation). The grant funded shared seed processing equipment within the collective and organizational funds to get the idea off the ground.
ENTER a group of awesome regional farmers interested in growing seeds, or already saving and growing seeds.
By the end of 2022 and into 2023 we were gathering with regional farmers with an interest in seeds. Over many meetings we set intentions and discussed values and shared pizza and are on a beautiful journey towards working out what a regional seed collective can and should look like.