One of the main purposes of Seed Savers Aotearoa at this point seems to be that it becomes a forum for discussion on issues relating to seed saving. We need to be well informed about the many issues relating to the growing and saving of seeds. The techniques, the varieties, cultivars etc. Although seed saving is an ancient art or science there is still much we don't know. Somehow much of the expertise has been handed over to science and technology. The experts who don't necessarily have a link with the past. For them the future, and whether that be the future goal of feeding the hungry or the future of building a richer corporate industry is just a mute point, but either way there doesn't seem to be much consideration for maintaining genetic diversity in species or of having a sense of ethics. At any rate and like with so many other environmental issues it is left to those of us who work from the ground up to hold a balance. It is like the healing, the saving, the support or future of the continued supply of the earth's resources for herself and for those who live on her is in the hands of grass roots organisations such as seed saving groups.
There is a general feeling that the saving of heirloom seeds has only been a temporary success except in a few research and commercial situations. Largely because in seed saving groups, not enough plants have been grown to ensure there is enough genetic diversity in the seeds. The numbers of plants needed can vary from 24 for squash to 200 for onions. For corn the numbers are understood to be 500. For varieties of plants that are not self fertile there is a minimum number of 64. Varieties of plants that are self fertile, beans and tomatoes come into this category, can be any number. These figures have been suggested by Kay Baxter, based on information she gained while on her recent fact finding mission to the USA. See Koanga gardens summer newsletter or visit the website www.koanga.co.nz
This is too is an area for discussion. Really like so many things we do, we are just experimenting. How do we know we are building up diversity in our seeds and plants. Many generations have been saved from one named cultivar or variety. Is this still sustainable? We are dealing with vegetables in particular that have been cultivated to the form that we know of now. Some people say we should be using plants that are still very much in their original form to get quality genes and food value. Plants such as Sea Kale and Globe Artichokes and even weeds like fathen and wild amaranth come to mind and we do need to save sufficient numbers of them even if their own genetic qualities are so strong, that they don't seem to weaken.
We really don't know of the effects that our living and cultural practises will have for future generations but it feels certain that we need first of all to have the intent or vision, like in organic gardening; that the earth should always be sustained if it is going to continue to sustain its populations of beings. With seeds we need to know there will be good seeds available in the future, and plenty, all with good and diverse genetic qualities. We obviously also need to be fully informed about the way we grow and save plants for seed. This is the benefit of people sharing their knowledge, either over the garden fence, in communities, nationally or internationally through this modality of the internet.
There is value in saving seed that has been handed down from family to family. This is a basic nature of farmers and gardeners. It is also I feel a very basic nature to observe closely the plants we associate with or grow, to see how they adapt to changing environmental patterns and bio-regional factors. A key element in nature is one of change and adaptation. We need to work with this too. If a new open-pollinated variety proves to offer lots of value either to humans or to nature and it continues to do so over a period of years then it has to be considered to be important.
There needs also to be sufficient quantity of plants grown for seed that will provide for the organic industry. At the moment there seems to be a shortage of large quantities of organic seed. If there is not already a demand it is probably because the awareness is that there is just not enough seed available. There will be a greater demand and the quality needs to good. Like in the natural changes or flow of universal energies I have a sense that there are changes afoot, and a good gardeners or farmers foot at that, to develop more sustainable practises and more expertise in seed saving.
May the season and all of natures energies support your endeavours.
Contact: John Massey
Email: john@seedsavers.org.nz
Phone: 0-3-546 7098
Post: 45A Washington Rd, Nelson