Seed/plant business

I’m a retired SAHM looking for my next thing. What excites me is plant breeding. I love the possibilities, increasing genetic diversity, domesticating new things, perennializing annuals, adapting things to my climate that no one thinks are possible. I’ve done hobby level seed saving, am taking part in the Drymyfolia Collective attempt to adapt Avocados to the Pacific Northwest, and I did a contract with Victory Seeds a few years ago to increase their stock of Kodiak King Dwarf tomatoes. I’ve tread Carol Deppe’s book and Joseph Lofthouse’s book (and was so inspired!). That’s my résumé! I’ve started thinking about starting my own seed/plants business. Locally adapted edible plants, maybe some natives, medicinals, other particularly useful things. But I’m not sure if I would be redundant since there are already a few small companies doing similar things. I welcome any thoughts and feedback.

Any specific type of plant you like?
For example, I have been working with corn for over 20 years. I am just weirdly interested in corn. No idea why. My suggestion is to start small with whatever really trips your trigger and gradually expand as your skills mature.

Thom Bri wrote:Any specific type of plant you like?
For example, I have been working with corn for over 20 years. I am just weirdly interested in corn. No idea why. My suggestion is to start small with whatever really trips your trigger and gradually expand as your skills mature.

Wow, that’s dedication to corn! I’d love to hear about all the things you’ve done with it. I don’t think I’m partial to one species.

Islanders face specific problems, salt, drought, wind,  poor thin soils. Very specific problems, i learned.
As well, they're not many, which makes breeding efforts difficult. i know this from contacts i made at that at Going To Seed forum. It's a spin off from Joseph Lofthouse his book. And has turned into a small people's breeders collective where people share diversified adaptive seeds and you can meet people who have similar climates, contexts and specifics.

The regional adaptation work Bethany is already doing for Victory Seeds is genuinely underserved commercially, that's where small breeders can carve out something the big companies won't touch. Curious how the avocado project develops, the PNW thing seems ambitious but that's kind of the point.

Bethany Brown wrote:I’ve started thinking about starting my own seed/plants business. Locally adapted edible plants, maybe some natives, medicinals, other particularly useful things. But I’m not sure if I would be redundant since there are already a few small companies doing similar things. I welcome any thoughts and feedback.

I would say "Go for It"!

If there are already a few small companies doing this, I would suggest looking at what they sell and pick something to work on that they are not doing.

Medicinal plants is a great idea to start with as there is so much that you can branch into.  Oils, lotions, soaps,etc.

Maybe start a thread in the Projects forum to track what you are doing.

I wish you the best.

The person who started the avocado project used to be active on permies, I think that’s how we originally connected. He has hundreds of seeds started from seed and crossed, that have survived many winters. A couple of years ago, he gave away young trees to anyone in the area who wanted to participate, requesting that we all report back how things are going with our trees. I took two and one didn’t survive last summer, but the other has survived a couple of summers and winters with no protection.  

Joao Winckler wrote:The regional adaptation work Bethany is already doing for Victory Seeds is genuinely underserved commercially, that's where small breeders can carve out something the big companies won't touch. Curious how the avocado project develops, the PNW thing seems ambitious but that's kind of the point.

Thank you for the encouragement!

Anne Miller wrote:

Bethany Brown wrote:I’ve started thinking about starting my own seed/plants business. Locally adapted edible plants, maybe some natives, medicinals, other particularly useful things. But I’m not sure if I would be redundant since there are already a few small companies doing similar things. I welcome any thoughts and feedback.

I would say "Go for It"!

If there are already a few small companies doing this, I would suggest looking at what they sell and pick something to work on that they are not doing.

Medicinal plants is a great idea to start with as there is so much that you can branch into.  Oils, lotions, soaps,etc.

Maybe start a thread in the Projects forum to track what you are doing.

I wish you the best.