Jane Rabinowicz, USC Canada
1. Why Seed? 2. Realities, trends and concerns 3. The ecological seed movement in Canada today 4. The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security
Seed = Food ‘An estimated nine out of every ten bites of food available in the world today begin with the planting of seeds’ Nutrition begins here The illusion of abundance in seed catalogues Saving seed today means securing our food supply tomorrow
Seed Food (a unique issue) ‘Control the seed, you control the food. Control the food, you control the people’ Growing requirements are different The marketplace is different Seed Production can be part of a healthy farm ecosystem and healthy farm business Grow seed to support ecological farmers
The relationship between seed security and food security: Productivity of regional crops Resilience of the crops Decentralized control Wide germplasm Biodiversity Sustainable economies
Challenges ecological seed growers currently face: Infrastructure Distribution capacity Skills and knowledge Finances and time for breeding Academic support Legislation Management of seed crop purity Isolation from other growers and breeders Inspiration for new growers
Seed conservation: Seeds of Diversity Canada, PGRC, local seed savers Ecological seed production in Canada: a movement of self organizers ECOSGN, BC Seeds, Saugeen River CSA, Organic Alberta Coop Agrobio de QC Industry and government allies
Goal: A seed system that serves as a foundation for food security, climate resilience and community well- being Objectives: 1. Strengthen regional work, build a national network 2. Conserve, expand and commercialize high quality, regionally adapted, ecologically grown, Canadian seed Working model: build on existing momentum, partner on everything, leverage resources
The partners USC Canada ( Seeds of Diversity Canada ( Farm Folk City Folk ( Organic Alberta ( Everdale Organic Farm and Environmental Learning Centre ( Quebec TBD Atlantic Canada Organic Regional Network ( Mrs. Bauta & The W. Garfield Weston Foundation and
1. Support for Farmers 3. Public Access 5. Movement Building 2. Applied Research 4. Web Extension Service
Strengthened regional seed systems Regional and national organizations able to continue the work Mission integration Financial resources Regionally coordinated, nationally coherent Linked to the broader food movement in Canada
Announcement of the program Hiring regional coordinators Survey for farmers Funds for seed events
Thank you!!!