Why Save Seeds?
Our current food supply relies on just 20 genetic varieties of plants for 90 percent of our food. In the last 15 years, more than half the vegetable varieties once available have disappeared from seed catalogs, and many more before that. One hundred years ago there were thousands of varieties of tomatoes available, and now there is only a few hundred. When European people first came to this continent, there were over 300 varieties of corn being grown. Currently, 16 varieties account for 70% of corn grown. The loss of that unique genetic material is often accompanied by the loss of the ethnocultural history and the personal stories of the development of heritage seeds.
Through selection of seeds from the biggest, earliest, sweetest etc. plants in any crop, a gardener or farmer can gradually produce a variety specifically adapted to their unique environment. Unfortunately, as agriculture becomes more specialized and commodified, the genetic base of our food crops is being narrowed alarmingly. Older varieties, prized for their flavour, early maturity, special adaptations to certain climates or conditions, or just plain beauty and/or quirkiness have been abandoned by commercial agriculture and large seed producers. The genetic material and rich history of these plant varieties is being lost because they do not pack well, store for long periods or ripen all at the same time - the traits commercial agriculture values.
Large monocultures - areas of the exact same plant species, with the same genetic makeup, are very vulnerable to pests, diseases or any sudden shift in climatic conditions. Most of our food is now grown in these monocultures. The Irish potato famine is one example of the risk facing a food supply with limited biodiversity. One single form of blight was able to ruin most of the staple food crop of an entire country. Genetic variability, like most forms of diversity, allows a species to survive or adapt to most changing conditions.
Then, there is the issue of ownership. Many large seed companies are now patenting seeds that they have developed either through hybridization or genetic modification. These seeds are not part of the public domain, and you cannot save them and replant them legally without paying a royalty to the company. In addition, these seeds often have genetically or environmentally destructive or limiting traits bred into them, such as pest and pesticide resistance or "terminator technology". (For more on this, see Canadian Organic Grower's website http://www.cog.ca/ ) Worst of all, these seeds are being foisted on southern countries, who have a rich tradition of seed saving and locally adapted varieties. These countries, within a few growing seasons, could lose thousands of years of careful selection of crop seeds if they are convinced or forced to grow only imported seeds.
s you may conclude, saving seeds is more than a pleasant pastime - it is essential to the survival of our food and medicinal sources. And, it is a cause specially suited to individual gardeners to grow out these plant varieties every year or so to maintain fresh genetic material (seed, tubers etc), and to keep the natural adaptive processes of plant engaged with the current and unique environmental conditions across the country in our own backyards.
The 2B Seed Savers Group
We are a small group of seedy people from Thunder Bay and area. We are gardeners in the challenging northern climatic zones of 2B or not 2B (i.e., 3), whence comes the Shakespearean pun in our name. We are interested in saving seeds, especially heritage seeds and their stories from this area.
Our first and very successful "Seedy Saturday", event was held March 19 th at the Waverly Library. The event brought people together to exchange seeds and growing information. We hope to hold another similar event next spring. For more information on Seedy Saturdays, and on seed saving in general, check out the Seeds of Diversity website http://www.seeds.ca/ . Seeds of Diversity is a national organization and registry of seed savers whose aim is to preserve the genetic identity and diversity of heritage and open pollinated (public domain, non-hybrid) plants through the growing efforts of individual gardeners.
Do You Have Seeds and Seed Stories to Share?
The 2B Seed Savers hope to create a network of northern seed savers to exchange seeds and plant material from locally adapted and/or heritage varieties of vegetables, flowers, herbs and fruit. We also want to record the pedigree of those hardy varieties and the stories that go with them. We are building a list of interested seed growers/ traders / or just plain seed curious folks. You can contact us at 2bseedsavers@yahoo.com if you want to be on that list, and/or if you want us to send you advance notice of the next Seedy Saturday event.
Sample Seed Story:
My favourite pepper is called Arledge. It is a short season, hot jalapeno type pepper with 3-4 inch fruit borne upright on the plant. It came from a seed saving group in New Mexico ? USA called Seeds of Change. According to their description, this variety was originally developed in Louisiana , where it was used as the chief ingredient in Louisiana Hot Sauce. Amazingly enough, this pepper ripens to red with minimal protection, even in my northern garden.