SAVE SEEDS

& CONSERVE SEED BIODIVERSITY

We are experiencing a biodiversity crisis. In the last century, we’ve lost 75 percent of agricultural biodiversity. Climate change is impacting agriculture with increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather, soil degradation, and new pest and disease outbreaks. Farmer resilience depends on having access to varieties -- old and new -- that can withstand these challenges. Conserving seed biodiversity is a critical strategy for farmers to mitigate the negative effects of climate change. The Bauta Family Initiative partners to support hundreds of growers who steward their gardens as living seed banks, protecting the biodiversity we all rely on.

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FARMING FOR CONSERVATION

A Virtual Event Nov. 3, 2022

Agricultural biodiversity is nature's insurance policy, but just when we need it the most, it is slipping away. Join us for this online event to celebrate and learn from farmers who are integrating seed conservation into their market farming operations. Everyone can play a role in seed diversity conservation! Speakers: Bob Wildfong (Seeds of Diversity), Michelle Smith (Northwind Farm), Angela MacDougall (Fundy Farms: Local Harvest), Angie Koch (Fertile Ground Farm)

WATCH THE RECORDING

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RARE VARIETIES RESTORATION PROJECT

Can’t find an open-pollinated vegetable or grain variety? Open-pollinated varieties fall out of circulation for many reasons and the more varieties we lose, the weaker our biodiversity safety net becomes. Your input will help us identify, source, and grow out open-pollinated varieties of interest to farmers. Please alert us to your submission by contacting your Regional Coordinator.

SUBMIT VARIETIES

 

SEEDS OF DIVERSITY’S CONSERVATION PROJECTS

Seeds of Diversity's Canadian Seed Library is a not-for-profit collection of seeds that backs up the work of its member seed savers and Canadian heritage seed companies. Rare and locally adapted varieties are prioritized for grow-out each year, in part through these programs supported by the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario:
- The Save One Rare Variety Challenge (beginner-friendly) 
- The Save An Old Seed Challenge (intermediate/advanced)
- Groundcherry Breeding Project (intermediate)
 

Read more here  

 

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REGIONAL SEED CONSERVATION PROJECTS

- In British Columbia? Check out the Citizen Seed Trials webpage and Facebook Group. This unique project brings growers of all scales into the seed conversation. 
- The Atlantic Canada Regional Seed Bank is supported by a Grow-out Program through which farmers conserve and adapt regional seed varieties.
- Want to get involved? Contact your Regional Coordinator to find out what opportunities we offer.

 

 

One of this program’s founding partners, Seeds of Diversity is Canada’s most prominent seed conservation organization. If you are a gardener, farmer, or advocate interested in saving seeds in Canada, check out Seeds of Diversity’s work and become a member (it’s free)!

SeedChange, in partnership with Seed Savers Exchange, is proud to lead this initiative which supports the community seed movement. If you want to connect with seed savers and gardeners across the continent, find or start a project in your community, or learn about seed saving, check out the Community Seed Network. Membership is free.