A day-long organic seed saving workshop,
Fundamentals of Organic Seed Production
will be held at Windrose Farm on Wednesday, February 5th from 10am-4pm.
Learn fundamental skills for producing organic seed with Barbara Spencer and Jared Zystro. Topics of instruction include: the biology of seed production, seed harvesting and cleaning, choosing appropriate seed crops for your system and climate, maintaining the genetic integrity of varieties with appropriate population sizes and isolation distances, conducting variety trials, and basic on-farm breeding techniques.
Directions to Windrose Farm can be found at: https://windrosefarm.org/about-us/directions/
This workshop precedes the special evening lecture event co-sponsered by The SLO Seed Exchange and the Center for Sustainability:
Reclaiming Seed:
Why and How to Strengthen the Role of Farmers in Our Seed Systems
Wednesday, February 5th
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Ludwick Community Center
corner of Santa Rosa & Mill St., San Luis Obispo
This lecture will look at the fascinating history of seed saving and how seed saving systems have changed over the centuries from the founding of our country. It will address how modern food systems have transformed the role of farmers in seed saving and highlight how promising alternative models are evolving to reinvigorate farmers and community participation in the vital act of seed saving.
For more information about the lecture, e-mail cfs@calpoly.edu or call 805-756-5086.
About the Speaker:
Jared Zystro is the California Research and Education Specialist for Organic Seed Alliance. He has a master’s degree in plant breeding and plant genetics from the University of Wisconsin. Jared has worked in the organic seed industry for over 10 years, managing seed production at two farms and conducting research and education projects with OSA. In his work at OSA, he manages OSA’s regional development in California, conducts participatory breeding projects and variety trials, and teaches farmers about seed production and plant breeding at workshops, conferences and field days.
