We are collaborating with regional partners to develop and implement a regional strategy to increase the supply of Southeastern-adapted organic seed varieties.
In 2013, the Seed Project will:
- Coordinate with the cucurbit trials to seek appropriate cucurbit genetics for sustainable production in the southeast, beginning the process of making superior cucurbit cultivars regionally available.
- Explore the formation of an NC High Country event to celebrate the diversity of western NC traditional land races, such as greasy beans and candy roaster squash.
- Form an alliance with the Plant Genetics Resource Conservation Unit at the Griffin campus of the University of Georgia to share germplasm collected by the One Seed at a Time project.
- Explore funding options for a Southeastern Seed Coop and other seed work in the region.
- Evaluate the status of foundation seed programs, regional equipment and infrastructure available in the Southeast.
- Provide an electronic forum for folks interested in forming a Southeast Seed Cooperative movement to assemble and communicate.
- Continue to serve as a conduit between potential seed growers and seed dealers in the region.
- Work as a consultant for folks interested in producing organic, regionally adapted seeds on a case-by-case basis.
- Continue to provide organic seed growers in the Southeast with the high quality resource materials already compiled by CFSA’s Saving Our Seed project.