Training Resources

Growing bulk volumes of seed to sell to a seed company can be an economically viable way to include seed production on your farm without the need to start your own packet sales seed company. After talking to leading seed companies across North America, the BC Seeds Program developed a suite of resources to help  seed growers better understand the process of growing seed on contract, what opportunities exist and how to get started. Find four documents, below, for download. You may also want to check out our webinar on seed enterprise budgets, here.  

• Advice to Get Started
• West Coast Seeds Case Study
• Tourne-sol Farm Case Study
• Salt Spring Seeds Case Study

Our seed saving training toolkit is a comprehensive set of tools for trainers to use in presentations and workshops. It was jointly prepared in 2012 by The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security and the Organic Seed Alliance in partnership with seed saving trainers across the country. Included in the toolkit: a PowerPoint Presentation for trainers to use in whole or in part during training events; a manual for the trainer with tips, exercises, hand-outs and more; and visually appealing factsheets on seed saving for nine crop families.

Download the seed saving training toolkit here.

One of the most important pathways to high quality seed is high quality information about how to grow and save seed. The following is a list of people who've come forward to offer their skills and experience as seed trainers. This list is not exhaustive (we will continue adding to it), or an endorsement of these trainers. It is meant as a simple resource to anyone organizing a seed saving training event and looking for a trainer.

Please contact trainers directly to inquire about their experience and how you might work together for your next seed saving event. Many of these people are farmers with busy schedules, especially during the growing season. We suggest that you contact trainers of interest well in advance of your event.

Seed Trainer List

Whether improving your own skills, or designing a workshop or presentation for others, this bibliography gives a thorough overview of the organizations and networks producing high quality seed resources, as well as a detailed list of books, webinars, teaching tools and more.

Download the bibliography here.