The Southeast has made exciting progress in building a regional food system that emphasizes family farming and healthy food. A notable area of growth has been in organic agriculture. Unfortunately, a critical element of organic production and integrity – organic seed – is not keeping pace with this growth. Organic seed gaps are especially noticeable to […]
2019 Southeast Seed Summit Proceedings
[…] production requires knowledge of appropriate production practices, infrastructure needs, markets, agroecological implications, and the suitability of the crop for seed production in the local environment. The 2019 Southeast Seed Summit was convened In order to empower Southeast farmers to expand organic seed production, while addressing the risks and impacts on the whole farm system. […]
Organic Seed Growers Conference Agenda & Session Details
[…] Endophytes, Rhizophagy, Nutrient Density, Nitrogen Efficiency and Fixation in Corn UPOV and the Criminalization of Seed Live Spanish, French, and English Interpretation Discovering, Connecting, and Inspiring a Southeast Seed Network 12:00 – 12:45p HST / 2:00 – 2:45p PST / 3:00 – 3:45p MST / 4:00 – 4:45p CST / 5:00 – 5:45p EST […]
Southeast Organic Seed Stakeholders Survey
This report includes findings from an online survey developed with support from our regional partners to assess organic seed systems in the Southeast and identify collaborative opportunities to expand and improve these systems. The survey was advertised to farmers and gardeners throughout the Southeast, and was open from November 2011 through March 2012.
Southeast Farmers Need Organic Seed Research, Education
OSA has released findings from an organic seed survey conducted in the Southeast region of the U.S. Findings point to enormous interest among farmers and other agricultural professionals in strengthening seed systems in the Southeast to address the needs of the organic community. The short report can be downloaded here. This project is made possible […]
Making Connections at the Southeast Organic Seed Summit
[…] oversees the organization’s Southern Heritage Seed Collective and youth garden initiative. She’s passionate about preserving southern seed biodiversity, and also serves on the advisory board for both Southeast Slow Food Ark of Taste and Southern SARE. The first Southeast Organic Seed Summit was held last weekend in conjunction with Carolina Farm Stewardship’s Sustainable Agriculture […]
Why the Southeast Seed Movement Matters to Farmers Everywhere
The Southeast has made exciting progress in building a regional food system that emphasizes family farming and healthy food. One of the notable areas of growth has been in organic agriculture, and the region continues to see more certified organic farms and acreage. This is a trend that’s national in scope. But another trend […]
Join the Southeast Organic Seed Movement
With its long growing season and rich farming history, the Southeast region has great potential to strengthen its organic seed system. But what are the key actions we can take to help a burgeoning Southeastern network? As a first step, OSA is working with several local partners to assess the organic seed system in […]
Seed Stirrings in the Southeast
Agricultural leaders from the Southeast recently convened to lay the groundwork for strengthening the region’s organic seed systems. Organic Seed Alliance’s advisory services director Dan Hobbs, along with board members Tony Kleese and Ira Wallace, hosted an exploratory meeting in April 2011 with university personnel, extension agents, NGOs, and farmers. Five states were represented […]
Organic Plant Breeding in the Southeast
[…] in Virginia to help lead an on-farm plant breeding course hosted by the Northern Organic Vegetable Improvement Collaborative (NOVIC). More than 40 participants joined from across the Southeast, including Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia. The two-day intensive was co-hosted by Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and Common Wealth Seed Growers. Two additional seed […]
Organic Cucurbit Research in the Southeast
The first southeast U.S. organic cucurbit variety trails and field day occurred this summer as part of the Organic Cucurbit Research Project being led by Cornell University and supported by OSA, North Carolina State University, and Auburn University. Farmers participating in the project are building experience and knowledge in conducting their own variety trials and have […]
Growing Organic Seed Partnerships in the Southeast
Efforts to build a regional seed system in the Southeast continue to gain momentum. OSA is partnering with organizations and universities on organic variety trials and educational events, and in developing strategic plans for the region. OSA’s partnership with the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) and Georgia Organics is resulting in a number of […]
