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Doing research on seed farming

 
                              
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Hi all!

I am a huge fan of permaculture, and was privileged to hear Paul Wheaton give a presentation in WA state last year. I also attended last year's PNW convergence in Seattle which I loved a great deal.

I am doing some research on seed farming and I'm wondering if anyone has any preferred resources or recommendations of where to find good articles, books, information? I am looking online at the moment, but I am surprisingly not finding very much. I really want to understand this aspect of the food industry, both in sustainable settings as well as unsustainable (i.e. Monsanto). So for example, how does a farmer come to focus on seed farming in particular, do seed farmers also focus on other crops or are they typically isolated to this kind of farming, what is the process on a large-scale, what is done with the seeds (who buys them), how is this aspect of farming regulated, what are the monetary/health impacts on the local community, etc.?

Just starting my research, so I appreciate any ideas you can share. I also wouldn't mind touching base with any resources in the Seattle area. Thanks in advance!
 
pollinator
Posts: 494
Location: Klickitat, WA (USDA zone 8, Sunset zone 5)
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Do you know about these folks?

http://www.seedalliance.org/

I'd start with them...
 
                              
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Thanks Jacque - I don't think I had heard of them before. Will reach out to them!
 
steward
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Location: Currently in Lake Stevens, WA. Home in Spokane
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Since you mentioned seeing Paul in WA, and attending a conf in Seattle, I feel that you may live in the PNW.  Here is a local area site. (some of the info is universal, some is aimed at the west...CA to ID):

http://www.extension.org/pages/18340/organic-seed-resource-guide:-introduction-and-table-of-contents

 
                              
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Thanks John! Both very helpful.

BTW - yes I live in the Seattle area. I am not really focusing my research to this area specifically, however am happy to work with/find resources in the PNW. I would imagine that most big ag crops come from the Midwest (corn, wheat, soy, etc.), but I could be mistaken. Probably need to get that info corrected through research as well.
 
John Polk
steward
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BTW, that seedalliance site that Jacque linked to has a seed saving manual that is aimed at the commercial grower vs. the home gardener.  It is a good reference:

http://www.seedalliance.org/uploads/publications/Seed_Saving_Guide.pdf
 
                              
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Good find - I don't think I saw that one yet. Will download and read. Thank you again!
 
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