• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Organic Seed Alliance

Putting the power of seed into the hands of growers

  • News
  • Programs
    • Research
    • Education
    • Advocacy
  • Publications
    • All Publications
    • How-to Guides
    • Reports
    • Webinars
    • Worksheets & Record-keeping
    • Conference Proceedings
  • Resources
    • Policy Platform for Seed
    • State of Organic Seed
    • Organic Seed Producers & Intern Host Farm Directory
    • Variety Trial Tool
    • Seed Internship Program & Organic Seed Production Online Course
    • Midwest Organic Seed Production Online Course
    • Seed Economics Toolkit
    • IPR on Seed: Resources & Tools
    • Seed Cleaning Toolkit
    • OSA’s YouTube Channel
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • OSA Quarterly Calls
    • 2025 Organic Seed Growers Conference
  • Media
  • About
    • Staff Directory
    • Board & Advisors
    • Our Story
    • Current Openings
    • Our Alliance
    • Business Partners
    • Annual Report
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
  • Give

Seed Stories · June 22, 2020

In Memory of Jonathan Spero

On April 13, the organic seed community lost a philosopher king. Jonathan Spero was an avidly curious and thoughtful farmer who committed his life to plant breeding, growing seed, and feeding his community. He was collaborative and kind, and incredibly generous with his knowledge, seeds, and time.

Organic Seed Alliance has had the pleasure of knowing Jonathan for more than a decade. He was one of the most passionate farmer breeders our team had the good fortune to learn from and work alongside. We will remember his enormous contribution to the organic seed and farming community. And we will remember his warm smile and colorful hats, which always seemed to match his vibrant personality.

Jonathan’s farm-bred varieties have become quite popular over the years and are sold by more than 20 seed companies across the U.S. Some of these varieties include ‘Emerald Fan’ lettuce; ‘Siber Frill’ kale; ‘Solstice’ broccoli; and ‘Aloha #9’, ‘Festivity’, ‘Top Hat’, ‘Tuxana’, and ‘Zanadoo’ sweet corn varieties.

His breeding work focused on delivering new and improved organic seed varieties that were novel and resilient, and that had characteristics in demand by organic growers and their customers. He fed his local community and beyond from Lupine Knoll Farm, and he fed the curiosity of farmers, plant breeders, and plant breeding students, including OSA’s Laurie McKenzie during her graduate work at Oregon State University.

Jonathan was also a talented musician and peaceful activist. From opposing the Vietnam War to advocating for GMO-free county initiatives in Oregon, he often served as a spokesman, educator, and presenter on issues ranging from policy to practical breeding and seed advice. He was a founding board member of the Open Source Seed Initiative and always promoted fair and open access to seed – one of many fiercely held principles.

Jonathan will be sorely missed. Please join us in honoring his memory by sharing your own accolades and tributes in the comments below.

A celebration of life is being planned for later this summer. The family is asking for help caring for Jonathan’s land, gardens, and his legacy of seeds and written works. If you’d like to help, please contact Karen Rae Ferreira at karen@gaiasophia.com.

Read Jonathan’s full obituary here.

And read an interview with Jonathan published by Eco Farming Daily here.

Share

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

Categories: Seed Stories

Kiki Hubbard

Kristina (Kiki) Hubbard is the director of advocacy and communications for Organic Seed Alliance. She currently leads efforts to promote policies and actions that support organic seed systems, including managing OSA’s State of Organic Seed project.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

Seed Alliance logo

Promoting an abundant and diverse organic seed supply, tended in perpetuity by skilled and interconnected communities

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Copyright © 2025 Organic Seed Alliance · All Rights Reserved · Website by Tomatillo Design