Membership
Seeds of Diversity is a membership organization made up of over 3000 individuals across Canada. Together, our members multiply vulnerable seed varieties, exchange seeds with each other, and keep those varieties alive and in cultivation for future gardeners to enjoy.
Besides multiplying rare seeds, our members volunteer at over 150 Seedy Saturday and Seedy Sunday events across Canada, write articles for our monthly email bulletin, package seeds for community seed libraries, and help beginner seed savers learn the easy techniques for growing good seeds.
Our members are what make it possible for Seeds of Diversity to be a vibrant and visible part of the gardening and food security scene. Our funding primarily comes from charitable donations made by both members and non-members.
For 33 years, our Members paid an annual membership fee to support Seeds of Diversity's programs and services. In December 2021, we made the decision to make memberships free. And that's where things are today - becoming a member is completely free.
Why did we make membership free?
Making membership free for individuals who wish to participate in our programs, we maximize accessibility for those people by removing financial barriers. Our Board and members overwhelmingly agreed that there should be a difference between participation and financial support.
Memberships are for those who want to contribute, participate, and learn from each other, and there shouldn’t be a price on that. Those who wish to support us financially can still do that through donations.
Who should become a member?
Seeds of Diversity is for people who care about the future of sustainable food in Canada and want to get involved in our hands-on projects to protect seeds and pollinators, explore diverse food plants in their local growing conditions, and meet other gardeners who are doing that too.
We have programs for experienced seed savers, beginners, youth, and gardener with both large and small spaces. It's your interest and concern for seed security that matters.
Why become a member?
Participate in the annual Member Seed Exchange:
This member-to-member seed exchange gives Seeds of Diversity members access to many varieties of vegetables, fruit, flowers, herbs and grain seeds saved by other members across the country.
Each year, the Directory lists about 3,000 varieties of vegetables, fruits, grains, herbs and ornamental plants. Over two-thirds of these varieties are not available from any seed company in North America. Our grower members conserve and offer these seeds to other members, to ensure that the varieties can be grown, tested and adopted by gardeners across Canada.
Participate in Seed Library Grow-Outs
Our Grow-Outs project assists in storing back-up samples of Canadian seed into our Seed Library, prioritizing rare and locally adapted varieties to be available for future gardeners and farmers.
Some of the grow-out options each year are available only to members, such as those that involve selecting varieties from the Member Seed Directory.
How to Become a Member?
Start at www.seeds.ca/member
Step 1: Scroll down to "Membership (new or renewal)" and select which one you'd like - free or $15 printed Seed Directory.
Step 2: Fill in your name and address.
Step 3: Click "Next" at the bottom of the page. You'll be asked to confirm and complete the membership.
