We’re excited to share that Organic Seed Alliance has a new Washington research farm location! We are now located at the Sunfield Farm & Waldorf School in Port Hadlock, Washington. Our new location will allow us to expand our research and education programs while continuing to build a resilient organic seed system through mission-aligned partnerships.
On Monday, August 31st, Organic Seed Alliance hosted our annual Washington Research Farm Field Day at our new farm and welcomed over 40 community members. Kayla Ierlan, Washington Research Farm Manager, and Katie Jagger, Washington Research Farm Field Assistant, led our guests through the farm while introducing OSA’s work and impact on the larger organic industry and community.
Surrounded by gorgeous blooms, participants enjoyed a deep dive into the importance of organic flower seed production and the organic flower trials currently taking place at the farm. The tour highlighted OSA’s participatory plant breeding work, including newly released organic carrot breeding varieties! The release of these varieties will go a long way towards increasing the diversity of novel carrot colors in the organic vegetable market. Participants also learned about the risk of cross-pollination and the necessity of isolation distances and cages. As participants walked through the buckwheat variety trials, many familiarized themselves with this crop for the first time while learning about the ongoing work of WSU’s Bread Lab.
Later in the day, participants gained hands-on experience during a lettuce seed-cleaning activity. Kayla Ierlan and Katie Jagger demonstrated seed-cleaning techniques using a Winnow Wizard, a common tool used by small- to medium-sized seed companies. Participants also learned about climate challenges and innovative techniques, like dry farming, that support plant adaptation and farm resilience. Finally, everyone put on their plant breeder hats, eating and evaluating their way through a tomato variety tasting. We wrapped up the day by mingling over caprese. A wonderful time was had by all!
