Join Conor O'Kane for our yearly adventure into seeds and seed saving!

This class is for gardeners, farmers, and anyone interested in sustainable food growing and resilient local food systems. There will be a balance of the practicalities of seed saving with an understanding of the embodied wisdom and tales of the seeds themselves, as well as guide you into a deeper connection with seeds through the stories, heritage and practice of Seed Saving and the context of Seed Sovereignty.

Use your senses to understand seed saving, fall in love with seeds and discover how adaptive seeds support communities & food soverneigty.

What You Will Learn

• Introduction to the practice of Seed Saving and its role in local food systems and as a response to the unsettled climatic changes we are currently experiencing;
• Understand the importance of the preservation of varieties passed to us, as well as the opportunities offered to us by the ever-changing now;
• Experiencing the embodied wisdom and tales of seeds through hands on connection and sharing of stories;
• Exploring the growing of genetically diverse grexes that contain enough diversity to successfully adapt to our unsettled and ever changing climatic conditions;
• Practical seed harvesting, processing and saving techniques: from summer squashes, kales, tomatoes.
• Learning about the growing communities of practice and solidarity networks for Seed Saving locally, nationally and beyond!
• Exploring the primacy of our sense of taste as a driver of seed choices!

• Getting to know the seed; Practical Seed Harvesting and Saving (much of this will be the seed that people will take home)
• Seed Saving as Adaptation Strategy & Introduction to Crowd Breeding
• Saving Native Seed and Why It Matter
• Community Seed Saving as a tool for social change in a time of societal transformation.

Features:

• using a seed vacuum cleaners
• sorting, podding and grading broad beans
• seeds to take home - there will be a choice of 30 packets or so to choose from

By the end of this course you will:

By the end, you’ll have a deeper knowledge and connection to seeds, their embodied wisdom and tales, and practical techniques for saving seed with pathways for saving and sharing beyond the boundaries of your own garden! Whether you’re a beginner or have some seed saving experience, this course will empower you to take control of your food supply and promote a more resilient ecosystem.

Who Should Attend this introduction to seed saving?

• Home gardeners and growers interested in becoming more self-sufficient.
• Farmers looking to reduce costs and increase sustainability.
• People interest in environmental and social justice.
• Community gardeners and educators seeking to share seed-saving knowledge.