2013 Seed Workshop coming to Tallahassee

Announcing... an exciting local workshop Sunday, August 11, 2013, coordinated and hosted by the FAMU StateWide Small Farm Programs in collaboration with the Ekanlaunee Seed Exchange, Leon County Extension, and local small farmers:

The 2013 Seed Workshop

After 10 years of trying to work it out, we are thrilled to be bringing the internationally-known US seed saving pioneer Ira Wallace of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange to Tallahassee to facilitate this capacity building workshop.

Southern Exposure offers over 700 varieties of open-pollinated heirloom and organic seeds selected for flavor and regional adaptability. Ira is a worker/owner of the cooperatively managed Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. She is a member of Acorn Community which farms over 60 acres of certified organic land in Central Virginia, growing seeds, alliums, hay, and conducting variety trials for Southern Exposure. She serves on the boards of Organic Seed Alliance, Virginia Association for Biological Farming, and the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association (OSGATA) -- the lead plaintiffs in OSGATA et al v Montsanto.

During our hands-on workshop with Ira on "The Seed" you will learn:

What Is Seed?
Why Seed Saving Matters
GMO Agriculture Issues and Your Farm or Garden
Getting Started with Seed Saving
Fundamentals of Good Seed Saving (crossers and selfers, how to promote good seed set, how to maintain your crop's genetics, isolation, population size and roguing, etc.)
Controlling Pests and Diseases
Dry and Wet Fermentation Seed Processing
Simple Seed Cleaning Techniques
Storage Techniques
The Business of Growing Seed for Farm and Sale
Etc.

We will cover all kinds of seeds grown in the southeast region including greens, lettuce, eggplant, peppers, okra, peas, corn, cucumbers, melons, squash, herbs, beets, carrots, onions, parsnips, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, etc.

If you have seed you are trying to save that's not listed, let us know and we will try to cover it too.

Register by credit card or check at: http://theseedworkshop2013.eventbrite.com/

Registration includes an organic lunch. To reserve a lunch with your workshop seat, please register by 11:55 PM Wednesday 7 AUG. Late registrations will be accepted as space permits -- through Eventbrite until 11:55 Friday 9 AUG, and at the door on Sunday 11 AUG -- but lunch cannot be guaranteed.

For questions about the workshop or registration, contact: Dr Jennifer Taylor, FAMU StateWide Small Farm Programs/Cooperative Extension, at FAMU.Register@gmail.com