This February, California seed growers, seed companies, and other members of the seed community gathered in person and online for the California Organic Seed Summit, held in Ukiah, CA. In its eighth year, the summits have been opportunities to forge community, share practices, and nurture the growth of seed systems in the state and beyond.
This year’s summit featured a wide range of presentations and discussions based on the interests of the summit attendees. From Bonnetta Adeeb and Nate Kleinman’s discussion on Ujamaa Seeds, to Rachel Britten’s presentation on the Mendocino Grain Project, and Ira Wallace and Amirah Mitchell’s multigenerational insights on seed businesses in transition, the summit delved into many important topics for the seed community in attendance. Other themes included liberating seeds from seed banks, cultivating new varieties and future plant breeders, building native foodways, Kenyan seed systems, and seed exchange etiquette.
Participants attending in person were able to join in for U’ilani Moore-Wesley’s opening acknowledgements, do hands-on learning with various pieces of seed cleaning equipment, and participate in conversation and sharing that encompassed a wide range of perspectives. The summit culminated with visits to the Mendocino Grain Project in Ukiah, and Open Circle Seeds in Potter Valley. It was a beautiful weekend!
To learn more, watch recordings of the summit presentations, and find additional resources, please follow this link to a summit resource document:
We invite you to engage with the resources provided, reflect on the summit’s insights, contribute to our ongoing dialogue, and take action in cultivating equitable, abundant and resilient local seed systems for California communities.
