Seed Savers/Seed Libraries

I'm interested in saving seeds at our local level but also taking action to stop Monsanto and their ilk's conduct with GM patented seeds that then contaminate other crops resulting in Percy Schmeiser type cases.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Schmeiser

If we do not act soon we may as individuals find our seeds subject to stricture by rapacious corporate policies. The third world is already running into problems. Big business has no ethics whatsoever - rape and pillage is their mantra!

Thanks for taking some initiative with this, and offering to host a meeting. I've been swamped as usual. I've been in touch with Robin and Andrew (the two people at the workshop who volunteered to be the record keepers).

One date that's been discussed for a meeting is the morning of Sat, Jan 8th. Would you be able to host then?

Cheers,

Ross

Yes, Jan.8th would work for me. How about a vegetarian potluck -- it's always much nicer to mingle, chat and share food together.

Those interested to show up around 1130-noon, with the actual meeting to start around 1230 pm. Who has copies of the seed collective guidelines?  Cylia

Hi Celia,

Great re: both the 8th and the potluck.  I'm wondering about starting a bit earlier, as there is a Grandview Woodland neighbourhood village meeting/potluck (visioning session) starting at one on the same day, and it'd be better if they don't overlap. 

What about 10 or 10:30ish for the meeting (and prepotluck nibbling!) - think that would work for Robin, will check with Andrew - and then a potluck around noon?

I have an extra copy of How to Start a Seed Collective - been thinking you'd be the likely person to give it to. Let's figure out how to get it into your hands,  this week perhaps? -  I may be near CC later in the week, not sure yet...or if you're going to be on the Westside...)

Cheers,

Ross

Hi Ross, ok, with me.

Meet around 10 on Jan.8, meeting 1030-12 (with nibbling allowed).

Yes, let's figure out how to get the booklet to me so I can look at it this week.

Cylia

Okey dokey, 10 on the 8th. And I'll know whether I'll be in your neck of the woods later this week by tomorrow.

Did you know that any VV member can post an event on the events page? So you can just go ahead and post it. I'd also suggest posting to Seed Saving, and to Transition Cedar
Cottage, as I know there are other seed savers there.

I'm not sure if you and Robin ("record keeper" Robin) got a chance to chat at the workshop. It would be great for the two of you to touch base; I'll connect you shortly.

It's nice to see things coming together.

Cheers,

That's great Alexis. Andrew, who was also at the October seed saving workshop (and lives in Strathcona) also volunteered to be the connector there, so let's get everyone connected and figure out how to proceed.

A nice core of seed saver facilitators is starting to emerge.

It's also looking like there might be enough interest to start collectives in a few neighbourhoods - Kits, Grandview Woodland, Main St. etc.

Anyone else interested in being a catalyst for this in your neighbourhood village?

Cheers,                                                                                           Ross

Yes Celia, thank you for taking the initiative! This is very exciting :)

I live in Grandview-Woodland and would love to attend but I'll be volunteering at the winter farmers' market. I look forward to future gatherings!

That's cool Alexandra. No worries if you can't make it, there will be plenty of opportunities. Immediately following the seed collective gathering Grandview Woodland Neighbourhood village is having a potluck/visioning session (more details to be posted/sent out later today). Could you attend this?

In terms of resources, we're using Robin Wheeler's How to Grow a Seed Collective: a community template for seed saving. We don't have any extra copies at the moment, but you can download a digital copy from Farm Folk City Folk for $5. (Or but a hard copy for $10). If cost is an issue, VV can spring some bucks to get you one.

The next seed saving workshops are coming up on Feb 27.

I have to run now, but will be in touch.

Happy holidays,

Ross

Alexis, I think the focus will be on Cedar Cottage, but it will be a good opportunity for anyone in any neighbourhood to get plugged in and explore how to move forward.

Your friend might also want to come to the the Grandview Woodland visioning session in the afternoon (see my comment to Alexandra below) - I'm sure the GW seed collective will come up there.

Cheers,

Ross

Ross: Unfortunately I can't make the potluck because I have another get together immediately following the farmers' market. Too involved it seems :P

As for the book, I am happy to purchase it for this group and for my personal knowledge and enjoyment. I just visited the FFCF website and was able to download PDF for free, though it says right in the PDF that it costs $5 for the PDF. Anyways, I've got it now and will read through it when I can. And there are many books out there on seed saving, which I may borrow from FFCF then eventually buy.

Alexis: is your friend on VV?

Happy holidays to you all!

Alexandra

Hi Alexandra,

OK, good that you were able to get a copy. (Not sure what the deal is with the PDF cost.)  And re: FFCF as a resource for books to borrow.

Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners by Suzanne Ashworth is worth checking out.

It's too bad that you can't make the visioning session, but again, there'll be plenty of ops. One suggestion -- once the announcement for the gathering is posted on the GW neighbourhood page (in the next day or so), you could indicate your interest there in getting a collective going in the neighbourhood.

Happy Holidays!

Ross

Comment by Alexandra Brigham 2 hours ago

Delete Comment

Ross: Unfortunately I can't make the potluck because I have another get together immediately following the farmers' market. Too involved it seems :P

As for the book, I am happy to purchase it for this group and for my personal knowledge and enjoyment. I just visited the FFCF website and was able to download PDF for free, though it says right in the PDF that
it costs $5 for the PDF. Anyways, I've got it now and will read through
it when I can. And there are many books out there on seed saving, which I
may borrow from FFCF then eventually buy.

 

Alexis: is your friend on VV?

 

Happy holidays to you all!

Alexandra

Comment by Ross Moster 2 hours ago

Delete Comment

Alexis, I think the focus will be on Cedar Cottage, but it will be a good opportunity for anyone in any neighbourhood to get plugged in and
explore how to move forward.

Your friend might also want to come to the the Grandview Woodland visioning session in the afternoon (see my comment to Alexandra below) - I'm sure the GW seed collective will come up there.

Cheers,

Ross

Comment by Ross Moster 2 hours ago

Delete Comment

That's cool Alexandra. No worries if you can't make it, there will be plenty of opportunities. Immediately following the seed collective
gathering Grandview Woodland Neighbourhood village is having a potluck/visioning session (more details to be posted/sent out later today). Could you attend this?

In terms of resources, we're using Robin Wheeler's How to Grow a Seed
Collective: a community template for seed saving. We don't have any
extra copies at the moment, but you can download a digital copy from
Farm Folk City Folk for $5. (Or but a hard copy for $10). If cost is an
issue, VV can spring some bucks to get you one.

The next seed saving workshops are coming up on Feb 27.

I have to run now, but will be in touch.

Happy holidays,

Ross

Comment by Alexis Bach 4 hours ago

Delete Comment I have a friend willing to be in the seed collective, but
she lives in the Grandview/Woodlands area.  Are all the neighbourhoods
to connect on Jan 8th?

Comment by Alexandra Brigham 16 hours ago

Delete Comment Ross, I'm interested in coordinating a Grandview-Woodlands
group but need more resources on seed saving. Do you have any
recommendations or things you can pass along?

Comment by Alexandra Brigham 16 hours ago

Delete Comment

Yes Celia, thank you for taking the initiative! This is very exciting :)

I live in Grandview-Woodland and would love to attend but I'll be volunteering at the winter farmers' market. I look forward to future gatherings!

Comment by Ross Moster 1 day ago

Delete Comment

That's great Alexis. Andrew, who was also at the October seed saving workshop (and lives in Strathcona) also volunteered to be the connector
there, so let's get everyone connected and figure out how to proceed.

A nice core of seed saver facilitators is starting to emerge.

It's also looking like there might be enough interest to start collectives in a few neighbourhoods - Kits, Grandview Woodland, Main St. etc.

Anyone else interested in being a catalyst for this in your neighbourhood village?

Cheers,                                                                                           Ross

Comment by Alexis Bach on December 29, 2010 at 11:07am

Delete Comment I'm willing to manage the Strathcona seed collective... I
have the manual and am going to be in touch with Jaime after the new
year to see what we can get brewed up.

Comment by Ross Moster on December 28, 2010 at 2:34pm

Delete Comment

Okey dokey, 10 on the 8th. And I'll know whether I'll be in your neck of the woods later this week by tomorrow.

Did you know that any VV member can post an event on the events page? So you can just go ahead and post it. I'd also suggest posting to Seed Saving, and to Transition Cedar
Cottage, as I know there are other seed savers there.

I'm not sure if you and Robin ("record keeper" Robin) got a chance to chat at the workshop. It would be great for the two of you to touch base; I'll connect you shortly.

It's nice to see things coming together.

Cheers,

Ross

Comment by Cylia on December 28, 2010 at 1:45pm

Delete Comment How do we get this meeting on the e-calendar.  I will email
those that reply back with my home address and phone number.  cylia

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Alexis,

Here's his VV page: http://www.villagevancouver.ca/profile/AndrewMartinLewis

I've been encouraging him to join seed savers as it will easier for us all to communicate if we're literally all on the same page. :-)

I sent Andrew a message, Alexis -- that should do the trick, but let me know if there's anything else I can do.

It's looking like we'll have a good group on Saturday.

Hey Andrew and Alexis,

4 VVers from Strathcona have joined Seed Savers in the last week. (3 were at the seed workshop.)

Hi Alexis,

Great re: Strathcona.  Grant Watson is doing a VV gardening workshop at the Strathcona Community Centre on the 23rd from 1:30-4:30, so if  a go for 22/23rd , perhaps schedule at a time that doesn't overlap?

Ross

Hi Alexis and others

I'm ok with kids if you would like to bring your child. Also, I forgot to mention that we have 3 cats and a very hairy sofa, so those attending should dress appropriately.  I will email the address to you on Friday.  Cylia

The 29th is wide open. Have you heard from Andrew?

VV's Winter Cultivating Food, Cultivating Community series starts this Sunday at Strathcona, including workshops on the 9th, 11th, 23rd, and 25th, and we can tell people about the collective at all of them.

Hi Alexis,

If you would like to have flyers about the 29th at the Strathcona workshops, just send me a copy of a flyer with all the info that you want on it and I will duplicate it and put them on the tables at the beginning of each workshop.

Thanks,

jamie

Food Security Coordinator

Strathcona Community Centre

Hey Alexis,

Andrew is on a 10 day meditation retreat until the 15th or 16th. Needless to say, no email access, so I imagine he'll contact you when he gets back.

Hi everyone,

The Cedar Cottage Seed Saving Collective had a very successful first meeting, and if anyone is interested in a run-down of the meeting, please let me know. It's pretty long so I don't want to post it in full here, but I can send it as a message to anyone who wants to take a look.

Cheers

Robin

Oh I'd love to go see Dan talk but unfortunately must work :(

And Robin, please send me the details of the first meeting!

This is very exciting!!

The Cedar Cottage Seed Savers are having their next meeting on Sunday, February 6th! Here's the event page: Cedar Cottage Seed Savers Collective Meeting - Members from other neighbourhoods/villages welcome. Hope to see you there!

Hi everyone,

At Dan Jason's talk last night (Friday), Emily brought up the CETA agreement which could mean the end of farmer's rights to save seed. Here's some more information:

http://www.cban.ca/Resources/Topics/Trade/NFU-Canada-Europe-Free-Tr...

Arzeena Hamir MSc. P.Ag.

Coordinator

Richmond Food Security Society

http://richmondfoodsecurity.org

coordinator@richmondfoodsecurity.org

http://twitter.com/arzeena

Peter and I went to the Seed savers garden forum yesterday and Ross presented an idea to have a seed library, where people could check out seeds to give them a try. In return they would be asked to grow out the seed and return new viable seed to the library.  Nifty idea.  Still wrapping my head around how this might work.

Hey Cylia - sorry to have missed you, Peter, Ross (and everyone else!) yesterday at the Seed Savers forum. Really wish I could have been there... :( The seed library Ross mentioned was this one that recently started up in San Francisco: http://www.bcfoodsecuritygateway.ca/modules.php?name=Content&pa... (the page has a further link to http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/4/prweb8264038.htm)

The one I've known about for a little while now is the one in Richmond, California: http://www.richmondgrows.org/ I love that the seed lending library itself operates out of their public library.

Perhaps we should discuss this concept at our next meeting? It could certainly tie in to our concept of a seed bank, and how we should be operating it. It would seem that the "seed library" would require a lot more work as it is open to the public (with a pre-requisite orientation, whether in-person or online) whereas our "seed bank" is a more closed entity, and more for exchange with other seed banks/collectives...would you agree?

Hi Amy:  I hope you're feeling much better. It was a good group and discussion.

I am open to both ideas, with enough seed being kept for purity and heritage value, while extra seed could be donated to seed libraries.  It's one way to get people engaged in learning about seed saving.

For now, we can concentrate on our seed collective. We're not quite at the seed giving away stage. Also, there is the question of seed purity.

Hello: I'm very glad it went well. Thank you - still feeling a bit foggy but I'm sure a few more days of rest will help immensely.

Yes, agreed that we should be concentrating on our own seed collective for the time being. The question of seed purity is something that has to be seriously considered, and I know that it keeps coming up in our meetings.

I hope to email the group within the next few days in regards to our next meeting and items that need addressing.

The Environmental Youth Alliance is having its annual "Spring Seed Swap" event on Saturday, April 16th, 10am-1pm at the Eco-Pavilion in the Strathcona Community Garden. We'd like to encourage gardeners from all over the city to come by to exchange seeds and to browse through the seed collection that EYA is happy to share, especially with new gardeners! For more information on this event, please contact info@eya.ca, or message me.

VV event page: http://www.villagevancouver.ca/events/eyas-spring-seed-swap

The Cedar Cottage Seed Savers Collective is holding a Community Seed Saving workshop this Sunday at Strathcona Community Centre from 1-4 pm.

Please pre-register at ccseedsavingcollective@gmail.com to hold your spot.

More info can be found by going to our webpage

I have begun to post 2012 Seedy Saturday (Sunday) events on our wordpress account located at http://ccseedsavers.wordpress.com/ .  The first one is late January.  Feel free to subscribe to get the latest news.