Summer in the Pacific Northwest has been filled with events and opportunities for growth and expansion.
On the beautiful San Juan Island, OSA hosted two farm tours of Ferryboat Seeds and the Salish Seed Project. Flower farmers, flower seed producers, florists, and beginning farmers gathered together to learn about the flower seed trials currently underway at Ferryboat Seeds. The Salish Seed Project was no less impressive, with its diverse array of native plants and mission to encourage ecological restoration on the island. Industry professionals shared their successes and challenges throughout the day, ensuring a robust experience for all.
Not two weeks later, OSA’s Washington Research Farm and Lunaseed Farm of the Olympic Peninsula hosted another learning opportunity. Twozdai Hulse of Lunaseed Farm guided participants through a tour of her farm while expounding on her expanding sweet pea seed business. Beginning growers left enthused to expand their own sweet pea seed offerings! OSA staff shared their growing and breeding expertise as they answered questions about OSA’s flower trial work. New and old friends alike gathered for a sunset-drenched dinner filled with conversation and laughter.
Later in the month, enthusiastic learners joined OSA staff for an introductory and advanced seed saving course in Sequim, Washington. OSA partnered with Washington State University’s Extension Service and their Tending the Land series to provide an in-depth exploration of the organic seed market and a hands-on seed cleaning demonstration.
While OSA focuses on supporting our farming community, we are also committed to public education. On a typical rainy PNW day, OSA’s Washington Research Farm participated in the Jefferson County Farm Tour. This highly influential gathering brought together 1200 individual participants across 3700 farm visits, fostering meaningful conversations, lasting impressions, local foods tastings, demonstrations, and workshops that showcased and celebrated regional agriculture and our relationship to sustainable farming practices.
As our summer wraps up, we look forward to expanding our future offerings. Should you have any collaboration ideas or requests, feel free to contact Susana@seedalliance.org.
