The concept of developing relationships was definitely central to the conference. Dan Brisebois of Tourne-Sol Co-operative Farm spoke of the relationship potential between market gardening and seed saving; Kim Fellows of Pollination Canada on crops and pollinators; Nikos Kavanya on seed savers and seed companies; and Rowan White of the Sierra Seeds Co-operative closed the conference with an incredibly thoughtful reflection on the relationship between seeds and cultural traditions. In addition, there was plenty of attention paid to encouraging the development of stronger relationships between conference participants: gardeners, commercial growers, academics and non-profit organizations all interested in seed biodiversity and the practices of seed saving.
Finally, an exciting new national initiative was announced: The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security. This significant new 4-year program – a partnership between USC Canada and Seeds of Diversity, funded by the W. Garfield Weston Foundation – will connect seed savers and projects across the whole country to collaborate in the production, spreading and conservation of local, biodiverse seeds. Watch for more details in a formal announcement soon!!
A huge thanks to the growers of the Eastern Canadian Organic Seed Growers Network (ECOSGN) for pulling this inspiring conference together. We look forward to hearing more from those who attended the BC Seeds Gathering put on by Farm Folk City Folk this past weekend as well.