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Seedy Saturdays and Seedy Sundays are here!

by Rayna Almas

When you hear the words “Seedy Saturday”, what comes to mind? Prior to the pandemic, those words would likely have conjured images of people gathered around tables chatting about gardening while admiring and swapping packets of seeds. Now? Not so much, perhaps. Canada is a large and diverse country, so it’s impossible for me to generalize the experiences of everyone, nor would I want to make those kinds of assumptions. What I do know is that the traditional, longstanding Seedy Saturday format of bustling, lively venues remains an infeasible dream in many parts of the country. 

It’s been nearly two years since COVID-19 reached Canada, meaning this is the third seedy season navigating the complex COVID landscape. Last year, an incredible number of events were able to occur in a virtual format - about 90 out of the 170 total events from coast to coast. We are grateful and fortunate to have been able to assist in the execution of some of those. This year, we aim to do the same! 

What did we learn from last year? 

Last year was challenging because all of us were attempting to do things that we had never done before. Zoom events, online seed swaps, virtual vendors - it was a lot to navigate. From those experiences, a few key supports emerged that event organizers appreciated most of all from us here at Seeds of Diversity. 

• Virtual organizer meetings 

• Virtual presentations offered for free  

• Seeds!

You can read our post from May 2021 recapping the year’s events: Seedy Saturdays and Seedy Sundays - They happened!

What about this time around? 

When we first began outreach in October, things were looking really hopeful for a return to in-person gatherings. In the three months since then, the landscape has, again, changed (more than once). The terms ‘adapt’ and ‘pivot’ have become staples in the planning of just about anything since 2020, and that remains as true today as ever. 

So what have we done over the last four months? Worked with over 45 organizers across Canada to.. adapt and pivot. 

Things are challenging this time around for different reasons from last year. By now, most of us feel more comfortable navigating the virtual realm, but that doesn’t mean we want to continue down this path. There is a deep desire to try to return to in-person formats. Another whole year has passed and people are craving interactions that can’t take place online. How can you recreate the emotions and the connections that seed swaps inspire while isolated behind computer screens? How do you truly engage children online when they’ve been stuck in the virtual world for most of the last two years? 

The simple answer: You can’t. So instead, what we’re here to help do is make the most of the rather unfortunate circumstances we face. Because Seedy Saturdays and Seedy Sundays should go on, even if it’s “just” online. Even when online, the events are capable of accomplishing what they exist to accomplish: connect people with local seeds and seed and gardening knowledge.  

So, what is Seeds of Diversity up to amongst all this? 

For 2022’s events, we are focusing our efforts primarily on the things identified above as being valuable: meetings, presentations, and seeds. 

First and foremost, what we’ve found is that getting together as a Seedy community, even if it can only be over Zoom, has brought to light this beautiful network of like-minded and passionate people who have always been separated from one another by geography. For the second year now, it’s emerging as a highlight of planning the events. We have held three virtual planning sessions - one in each November, December, and January - with a total of approximately 35 organizers, many of whom showed up at each one. That, for us, is a sign that the meetings are worth doing, and they’re having an impact. 

Another really exciting support is our Seedy Saturday Speaker Series, with a new set of presentations that events can use in their programming. Topics will include pollinators, soil health, food and seed security, and more. This year, there will be four brand new and two updated talks available. 

We have also been working to offer seed packets to the events in need of them for their exchanges. For events who want to connect with seed companies in their neck of the woods, we have a new Canadian Seed Companies Map and have been acting as the liaison between seed producers and event organizers. When the events do roll around, we’ll be there for technical support and advice.  

What now? 

The events, of course! 

We are excited to continue the fun with the events themselves, many of which are coming up very shortly. Like 2021, they will look and be different, but we feel confident they will carry the spirit of what Seedy Saturdays are all about - seeds.

You can head over to our Events Page for a list of events, with more being added as we learn about them.

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Rayna is Seeds of Diversity's Media and Promotions Co-ordinator, and friend to all Seedy Saturdays and Seedy Sundays

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