Seed Exchange

In every seed there is a story and a dream. The story of all the people  who for uncountable generations have stewarded and co-evolved with seeds- life force at its most essential level- which embody the dream of future abundance. 

Many of us have heard stories of European ancestors sewing favorite seeds into the hems of garments when crossing the Atlantic. Even African ancestors under unspeakable duress somehow were able to carry some seed stocks with them. Japanese-Americans interred in camps in AZ and CA during World War Two made sure they brought seeds to start gardens behind the chain-link fenced communities they were forced to live in. And of course the master stewards of all, Native Americans, who so brilliantly co-evolved with and adapted corn, beans, squash, tomatoes and many other plants; all of these ancestors knew their seeds well and protected their source of sustenance.

A hundred years ago 98% of the population were farmers, many of who saved their own seeds. Now that number is less than 2% and very few of those are seed savers.

Share open-pollinated seeds and help play an important role in preserving the treasure of biodiversity embodied in the seeds stocks handed down from all of those ancestors, and which have created the cornucopia of genetics for the benefit all. Seed saving is especially critical in the face of such threats as global consolidation of seed companies, genetic engineering, and species loss. Hosted by:

• Occidental Arts and Ecology Center
• The Mayan Seed Ark Project
  
• Tesuque Pueblo Farming Project
• The Sustainable Seed Company
• Jeff Dawkins