It's National Volunteer Week! We would be lost without the many many volunteers across the country who save seeds, organize Seedy Saturdays, write magazine articles, staff community events, give presentations and do countless other tasks with us!
Maria Kasstan - the Toronto Seed Lady who represents us at all five Seedy Saturdays in Toronto, manages our booth at Canada Blooms, singlehandedly represents us at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and takes on numerous speaking engagements and festivals. Maria comments on how volunteering has led to so many opportunities and experiences she wouldn’t otherwise have had – meeting people with similar interests and passions, receiving invitations to lectures and luncheons, and – a highlight – meeting Vandana Shiva.
Bernard Theriault - passionate seed saver from New Brunswick who offers a variety of his grains through our Member Seed Directory. "I always marvel at the fact that nature prepares some wholesome food for us already neatly packaged in a kernel of grain. Also, I must admit that there is a certain pride when you sit down at the dinner table to enjoy food that you produced yourself."
Joy Smith - Founding organizer of the huge Qualicum Beach Seedy Saturday. Joy tells with pleasure how the Seed Swap element has grown. “Over the years we’ve certainly lured people more into this interest – both saving and planting seeds. And we’ve generated much more interest in growing vegetables in what has traditionally been more of a flower-growing community.”