Local Seed Network Kit

Here's some information to help you start your own seed exchange group. It's easy!

Starting a Local Seed Network is fast and fun. You can usually start a small group within a larger organisation, like a local plant breeders society, gardening group, or other social organisation (try it at the RSL!!). This kit has basic explanatory information as well as information to help you start a local seed network.



For some years now Seed Savers has realised the need to decentralise some of its functions to local seed networks around the country. We are increasingly focussing on local seed networks when we talk to the media.

This process of decentralisation is important because it will help to:
- source and preserve local varieties of seeds in any one area
- decrease reliance on a centralised system
- encourage regional seed self-reliance
- expand people's skills and knowledge of seed saving activities
- ensure the maintenance of the diversity of food crops

A local seed network can be a part of a organic growing organisation, soil association, Biodynamic group, garden club, school, etc. Or it may start on its own informally with a friendship or family group saving and swapping seeds or exchanging interesting vegetatively propagated plants in their gardens such as different varieties of rhubarb, strawberries, multiplier onion, garlic, garlic chives, aracaccha, arrowroot, cassava, yams, sweet potatoes, potatoes, etc.

The structure does not need to be a new incorporated association but just a loose group of people willing to share seeds, plants, grafting material, tips on growing food, produce and certainly a laugh.

Activities may include:
- sourcing, documenting, multiplying and promoting local varieties of food plants and other useful plants that may be endangered,
- drawing on local knowledge of seed production and expanding the skills of gardeners and farmers,
- swapping seeds and planting materials between members and other groups,
- establishing a seed collection/small seed bank for distribution to new members (please note that seed have a limited life span, usually a few years only, and that the purpose of the exercise is not to have a static collection of seeds but to get them growing and their product used),
- organising field days and garden tours so knowledge, skills and materials for seed production can be shared,
- demonstrating best seed harvesting, cleaning, and storing practices at markets, fairs, schools, etc.,
- promoting in the local media the vital importance of seed saving and local garden diversity,
- initiating seed saving activities in schools.

If undertaking any of these activities interests you, we would like to help. Here are some of the ways we could support you:
- include your activities in The Seed Savers' Network newsletter,
- set up a home page for your group within our website - provide promotion of events in our newsletter and on our website,
- publish your seed list in our newsletter and on our website if you wish to let others have access your seed stocks,
- provide a Seed Banking Manual based on procedures followed by Seed Savers in Byron Bay which you can adapt for your own purposes,
- provide participatory training in your area in all aspects of seed production, seed banking, networking, etc.,
- train the trainer courses at Seed Savers in Byron Bay,
- provide internships for local seed network coordinators at Seed Savers Centre in Byron Bay,
- provide back-up storage facilities at our Seed Centre for particularly vulnerable varieties,
- supply you with seed cleaning and storage equipment and information on where to find them,
- provide advice on obtaining media coverage,
- redirect media inquiries to your network (get some good stories ready and photogenic garden and gardeners).

If you are interested in establishing a new local seed network let us know what your specific needs are.

The Seed Savers website is set up as a participatory tool that you're welcome to use. Once you have the basic info organised, send us an email or call, and we'll talk you through how to have control over your own Local Seed Network web page! If you want to see if there is a local seed network near you, go back to the map.

For further information

Classification

Subject  Local Seed Networks
Regional relation  Australia
Audience  Local Seed Groups
Physical format  File attachments