Port Townsend, Washington – September 12th – Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) and a consortium of research partners are pleased to announce the launch of a major new research project aimed at advancing organic seed production practices and expanding the availability of high-quality organic seed. The project, titled “OSPREY: Organic Seed Production Research on Economics and Yield,” has been awarded funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI).
The OSPREY project brings together a team of researchers, educators, and organic seed stakeholders from across the country to address critical needs in the organic seed sector. Despite the growing demand for organic products, the organic seed industry has been slow to catch up, in part due to a lack of research, information, and training on optimum organic seed production practices.
“Organic seed producers and seed companies have been very clear: the lack of robust, publicly available seed yield data and production protocols is a barrier to the success of the organic seed industry,” says Jared Zystro, Research and Education Director at OSA and lead researcher on the project. “This project aims to fill that gap and provide the tools and knowledge needed to strengthen organic seed systems.”
The project’s key objectives include:
- Optimizing organic vegetable seed production through multi-location trials and participatory research
- Developing economic decision-making tools for organic seed producers
- Expanding seed production information exchange among organic seed stakeholders
OSPREY will conduct replicated trials focusing on four model crop categories: tomatoes, lettuce, cucurbits, and brassicas. These crops were selected based on their economic importance, widespread production, and the current low rates of organic seed usage. However, the project’s scope extends far beyond these model crops.
“While our replicated trials focus on these four crop categories, our participatory research and many other aspects of the project will encompass a wide range of vegetable seed crops,” explains Zystro. “We intend our research outcomes to benefit the entire organic vegetable seed sector.”
The project brings together an impressive team of collaborators, including:
- Organic Seed Alliance (OSA)
- Oregon State University
- University of Vermont
- Cornell University
- Colorado State University
- Carolina Farm Stewardship Association
- SeedLinked
- Highland Economics
“This collaborative approach allows us to leverage diverse expertise and conduct research that is relevant across different regions and climates,” explains Laurajean Lewis, Executive Director at OSA. “By involving farmers in all aspects of the project, we ensure that our research outcomes are practical and immediately applicable on organic farms.”
Key components of the project include:
- Multi-location replicated seed yield trials across seven states
- On-farm management trials to optimize production practices
- Development of a comprehensive Organic Seed Yield Database
- Creation of seed enterprise budgets and a breakeven price calculator
- Production of educational guides on seed cleaning, equipment, and disease management
- Organization of regional seed summits and field days for farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange
The OSPREY project is expected to have far-reaching impacts on the organic seed sector. By providing organic seed producers with variety-specific yield data, economic tools, and best management practices, the project aims to reduce risk and increase profitability for seed producers. This, in turn, will lead to greater availability of high-quality, regionally adapted organic seed for all organic producers.
“We’re excited about the potential of this project to drive innovation in organic seed systems,” says Zystro. “By combining rigorous scientific research with participatory methods and practical outreach, we’re confident that OSPREY will make a significant contribution to the long-term success and integrity of organic agriculture.”
For more information about the OSPREY project or to learn how to participate in upcoming research and outreach activities, please visit www.seedalliance.org or contact jared@seedalliance.org
About Organic Seed Alliance
Organic Seed Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that puts the power of seed into the hands of growers. Our work ensures an abundant and diverse supply of ecologically grown seed, tended in perpetuity by skilled and diverse communities of seed stewards.
Contact: Jared Zystro, Research and Education Director at Organic Seed Alliance, jared@seedalliance.org
