FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2017
CONTACT
Cathleen McCluskey, Organic Seed Alliance, cathleen@seedalliance.org, (360) 472-0247
Learn How to Grow Seed and Breed New Varieties
August training will teach specialty crop farmers how to breed and produce organic seed
Arcata, CA — Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) will host a hands-on training in Davis, California, this August. The event will teach farmers and students the fundamentals of plant breeding, and the basics of seed biology and organic seed production. Space is limited so interested participants are encouraged to register early.
When: August 10, 2017
Where: The classroom component will take place at the University of California-Davis, Bowley Science Center in Davis, California. The field component will be held at the UC Davis Student Farm in Davis, California.
Cost: $25 includes training and catered lunch
Register: Click here or visit www.seedalliance.org/events
This training is designed for vegetable farmers with a strong interest in developing new organic varieties and producing seed using organic farming methods. Jared Zystro of OSA, and Julie Dawson and Bill Tracy of University of Wisconsin-Madison will provide hands-on instruction on the basic principles and practices for evaluating, developing, improving, and maintaining both cross-pollinated and self-pollinated plant varieties on their farm, including making crosses. Participants will also receive a brief overview of seed biology, how to manage population size and isolation distances and seed production, harvesting, cleaning, and storage best practices.
The course is intended for farmers, researchers, and agricultural students. Prior experience in seed growing is recommended. Participants are encouraged to review OSA’s publications and tutorials at www.seedalliance.org/all-publications before the course.
This event is being supported by Gaia Fund and the Organic Research and Extension Initiative grant, part of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Awards #2014-51300-22223 and 2015-51300-24157.
Organic Seed Alliance advances ethical seed solutions to meet food and farming needs in a changing world
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